Political Ideology

Notes

Ideology Defined

Ideology is a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society.

Politics – Process by which people decided which members of society get certain benefits or privileges and which do not– Struggle for power or influence within institutions or

organizations (govt is an institution)

A political ideology provides the framework for looking at government and public policy.– Closely linked set of beliefs about politics

Ideology

Most Americans don’t follow a strict ideology, but rather decide their position on an issue by issue basis.

Inconsistency – Many people might favor lower taxes AND better schools and services.

Its never good to make generalizations about what a certain “group” thinks

Traditional political spectrum

Liberal – “Left-ist”

A person with liberal ideology believes that the national government should be active in helping individuals and communities and improving the welfare of individuals.

Respect civil/individual liberties/rights. Every segment of society gets a fair deal. Traditionally viewed as the group that favors

change and new ideas Govt should take action to reduce poverty and

regulate the economy

Conservative – “Right-ist”

A conservative believes the role of government in society should be very limited.

Individuals should be responsible for their own well-being.

Government should not solve social problems, but private institutions should (they are more effective/efficient).

Traditionally viewed as the group that avoided change Support for traditional values Strong sense of patriotism

Moderates

Moderate’s opinions fall somewhere between liberal and conservative.

40% of Americans claim to be moderate.

Some Comparisons

Death Penalty– Liberals – against it– Conservatives – for it

Defense/Military Spending– Liberals -- decrease or maintain amount– Conservatives – increase amount

Minimum Wage– Liberals – increase it– Conservative – lower or eliminate it

Radical – Far Left

Believe society exploits people and want to drastically change society in order to change it.

Example group – anarchists, Earth First

Reactionary – Far Right

Strongly conservative Small minority of people Solve society’s problems by going back to an

earlier time or use religious based solutions

Libertarians

Center-Right side of spectrum Believe in a very small government whose

role is limited to defense and resolving disputes

Do not want any gov. involvement in economics or society

Communism and Fascism

Neither fit in the traditional spectrum Communism – revolutionary variant of socialism

that favors a dictatorship, govt control of all enterprise and a centrally planned economy

Facism – 20th c. ideology that exalts the national collective united behind an absolute ruler. Fascism rejects liberalism, glorifies war, and favors elitism.