American Government and Organization PS1301 Wednesday, 3 March

Announcements Midterm next week Take Quiz in Chapter 6 John Kerry’s Super Tuesday

Ideology A package of ideas, a way of organizing one’s thinking about political issues and leaders. Anchored by core values that serve to structure other ideas

Liberal vs. conservative A core value that distinguishes them and influences their positions on a variety of issues is whether government should actively promote individual equality. Liberals favor active government intervention to promote equality of outcomes flat rate vs. regressive rate income tax vs. sales tax Conservatives believe that government should be limited to ensuring equality of opportunities in economic matter. In social matters, however, conservatives favor a more expansive role for government

Right vs. Left Direction comes from French political tradition Those who generally supported the policies of the monarch were seated to his right and those who proposed changes in the system were arranged to his left. At the extremes individuals are extremely dissatisfied and want revolutionary change

Distribution of Ideology over Time

Opinions about Government Spending Link to Figure 6.2 in the Text.

Opinions about Federal Spending Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Opinions about Federal Spending Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Opinions about Federal Spending Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Views of Ideological Groups Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Views of Groups by Ideology Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Views of Institutions by Ideology Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Views of Interest Groups Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Interpersonal Trust Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002

Distribution over time

Who are the Liberals? Poor Low Education Low Strata Occupation Minority Urban Jew, Catholic Democrats

Who are the Conservatives? Wealthy High Education High Status Occupation White Suburban Protestant Republican

Minimum Wage

Homosexuals Serving in the Military

Ideology and Issues