POL 101: U.S. Government Dr. Kevin Lasher

Understanding IDEOLOGY

IDEOLOGY Definitions Classical/philosophical ideology 20th/21st Century American ideology

Ideology Makes Sense of Complexity

Definition of Ideology Ideology is a mental framework for thinking about governmental, economic and social systems Ideology is a “political” mind-set

Definition of Ideology Ideology is a simplification or a short-cut Good: Helps us to make sense of complicated political world Bad: Leaves out certain details

IDEOLOGY Definitions Classical/philosophical ideology 20th/21st Century American ideology

Classical Ideology Thinking about political changes in Europe of 1700s Coming of capitalism/industrialization, individual rights and “democratization” Break-down of elitist, precapitalist societies Radicals and reactionaries came much later

Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Classical Ideology CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO Existing political, economic, social arrangements

Classical Ideology: Conservatism CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Conservatives want slow, limited change. They “like” the existing arrangements. STATUS QUO

Classical Ideology: Liberalism CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Liberals want moderate, significant change. They “like” and “dislike” existing arrangements. STATUS QUO

Classical Ideology: Radicalism CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Radicals want revolutionary change. They “hate” existing arrangements and want to “destroy” them. STATUS QUO

Classical Ideology: Radicalism Radicals appear in 1800s (after capitalism)

Classical Ideology: Reactionary-ism CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Reactionaries want retrogressive change. They “dislike”existing arrangements and want to return to an earlier system. STATUS QUO

Classical Ideology: Reactionary-ism Reactionaries appear in 1900s

Classical Ideology Problems Ideology is defined in relation to the “status quo.” The “status quo” is a constantly changing phenomenon.

Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary New Deal Programs CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO

Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary New Deal Programs Existing Programs Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO

Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Civil Rights Programs CHANGE Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO

Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary Civil Rights Programs Existing Programs Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO

IDEOLOGY Definitions Classical/philosophical ideology 20th/21st Century American ideology

Classical Ideology

Late 20th/Early 21st Century American Ideology Not so concerned with “change” More concerned with broad “attitudes” toward governmental action

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

Government Regulation of Economy ?

Government Regulation of Economy: FOR Government has an important role to play in managing-regulating the U.S. economy Social welfare programs Progressive taxation Environmental laws, civil rights laws, laws to protect workers and consumers

Government Regulation of Economy: AGAINST Government regulation of U.S. economy should be “minimized” Excessive regulation stifles economic growth Market forces can “solve” many problems facing society NOT “laissez-faire” capitalism

Government Regulation of Personal Matters ?

Government Regulation of Personal Matters: FOR Government has an important role to play in regulating-controlling people’s personal lives Close church-state relations desirable Government “promote” law & order, traditional values, nuclear family

Government Regulation of Personal Matters: AGAINST Government should “stay out of” people’s personal-moral lives Wall of separation of church and state People can make own decisions about morality, sexual behavior, raising children, entertainment NOT lawlessness or immorality

American Ideologies Liberalism Conservatism Libertarianism Populism (Communitarianism)

Government Intervention in Economy American Ideology Government Intervention in Economy FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES

Government Intervention in Economy American Ideology Government Intervention in Economy FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES confused? “leave me alone” “take care of me” confused?

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

“Typical” Ideological Division (Left) (Center) (Right) Liberals Moderates Conservatives Economic Issues? Personal Issues? Economic and personal issues?

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

To Be Continued