Chapter 8 – Political Culture and Ideologies

12th Grade POD – Ms. Nestico

Political Ideologies

Ideology – a set or system of ideas, beliefs and values held by a collective group of people – “school of thought”

Belief – an idea held to be true by a group

Value – a belief about whether an idea is right or wrong

Everything in life is “political”

Primary Ideologies in the US

Ideology Party WingRadicalLibertarianLiberal Democrat LeftModerate -----------------------------------Conservative Republican RightPopulistReactionary

Comparison & Contrast

Both liberals and conservatives agree that the government should have a good bit of control and regulation, but in different areas

Liberals want strong control/regulation over the economy

Conservatives want strong regulation over social conduct

Economic Characteristics(Liberal focus)

Money and the distribution of wealthStock MarketCorporations/Big BusinessTaxationEmploymentTrade/InvestmentsBanking IndustrySocial Programs to help those in need

Social Conduct Characteristics(Conservative Focus)

CensorshipMorals and ValuesDrugsPro-BusinessOppose Higher TaxesTough punishment for crime

Most popular US ideologies

Liberal – strong control & regulation of economy

Conservative – strong control & regulation of social conduct

Libertarian – least amount of government control in both the social conduct & economic realms

Populist – increased government control over both social & economic realms

In terms of Government Regulation & Control

Libertarian

22%Conservative

30%

Populist20%

Liberal16%

SOCIAL CONDUCT

ECONOMIC

Ideology Spectrum

Liberal

Most interested in protecting individual rights and civil liberties

Change is usually a good thingAnti-federalist rootsIncrease in social welfare programsMore government intervention of the economy to

remedy the defects of capitalismCan be socialistic in nature

Liberal

Robinhood Theory – Redistribution of wealthUsually see an increase in taxes Believe in the positive use of government to

bring about justice and equality of opportunitySeeks protection against inadequate

healthcare, housing and educationBelieves in affirmative action programs,

unions’ right to organize and strike, etc.

Conservative

Most interested in what’s best for the greater good of society

Free market economyCapitalistic – survival of the fittest, every

man for himselfRich typically get richerLower taxes overall and cut government

spending

Conservative

Functions of government should encourage family values, protect the nation from foreign enemies, preserve law and order

Human needs should be cared for by families and charities, not the government

Radical

Advocates extreme measures to change government policy

Radical

Civil disobedienceTexas v. Johnson

Vietnam war demonstrations on college campuses

Reactionary

Advocates extreme measures to conserve ideals and uphold ultra-conservative use of policies and government

Exceptionally intolerant of others and their viewpoints

Reactionary

More violent acts of civil disobedienceAbortion clinic bombersWhite supremacy groups typically found

here

Economic Policy

Liberals Government should

regulate business to protect public interest

Rich should be taxed higher in order to pay for public services

Government spending on social welfare programs increases

Conservatives Free market economy Less amount of regulation

brings about more competition

Taxes should be kept as low as possible

Government welfare programs destroy people’s incentive to work hard.

Policies on Crime

Liberals Government should

alleviate social problems such as poverty, unemployment, housing inadequacies, etc. as these are the preliminary reasons for crime

Rehabilitate criminals to remedy the problem

Conservatives Increase police forces,

special task forces and prisons.

Stop courts from coddling criminals

Make punishment more harsh and strict to deter future crime

Social Policy

Liberal Freedom of choice and

government should fund it when necessary

Protect minority rights, especially of African American, Hispanic/Latino, women, non-WASP, poor, etc.)

Conservative Government chooses

what’s best, not the individual

Fend for yourself – survival of the fittest

Should allow traditional observations in public policy

National Security Policy

Liberal Government should

support “human rights” throughout the world

Reduce military spending Diplomacy instead of war

Conservative Government should

pursue national/international interests of the US

Increase military spending

War can stimulate the economy

The issues

Economy

Abortion

Death Penalty

The Issues

War in Iraq

Education

Energy

The Issues

Drugs

Healthcare

Poverty

What’s your ideology?

Go to: http://www.politopia.com/quiz_index.php3