Presentation for POL 101 Dr. Kevin Lasher

Ideology: A Different View

Modern American Ideology: Themes Attitude toward government regulation of U.S. economy Attitude toward government regulation of personal issues

American Ideologies Liberalism Conservatism Libertarianism Populism

Government Intervention in Economy Modern American Ideologies Government Intervention in Economy FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES Moderates

(Left) (Center) (Right) Economic Issues Personal Issues Populists Populists (Left) (Center) (Right) Liberals Moderates Conservatives Libertarians Libertarians Personal Issues Economic Issues

Question about Ideology Very liberal Liberal Moderate Conservative Very Conservative Extreme libertarians can honestly answer 1 or 5 (economic or personal issues) Extreme populists can honestly answer 1 or 5

Political Parties Government Intervention in Economy Govt. FOR AGAINST Govt. Intervention in Personal Matters LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS AGAINST FOR POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES Political Parties

2008 ANES Data

Degree of Ideological Thinking 2% do not answer the question (8% if include “no preference”)

Degree of Ideological Thinking 30% do not answer the question (697/2323)

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Typical Ideological Thinking

Degree of Ideological Thinking Research suggests that 25-50% of Americans utilize ideology to organize their thinking Real problem of “failing to fit” into neat categories

Degree of Ideological Thinking

Degree of Ideological Thinking 19% are a “very confused” (49% were wrong or NA)

Degree of Ideological Thinking 16% are a “very confused” (46% were wrong or NA)

Degree of Ideological Thinking 19% are a “very confused” (49% wrong or NA)

Degree of Ideological Thinking 17% are a “very confused” (47% were wrong or NA)