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

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

“Typical” Ideological Division: Blue Collar Job Loss Liberals Moderates Conservatives Liberals: generous unemployment, government retraining programs, government jobs Conservatives: economic growth will produce better-paying jobs Moderates: in-between policy Libertarians: Side with conservatives; winners and losers

“Typical” Ideological Division: Health Care Reform Liberals Moderates Conservatives Liberals: more than Obama-care, single-payer system Conservatives: anti-Obama-care, modify existing private insurance Moderates: embrace Obama-care as best reform of current system Libertarians: Side with conservatives; government stay out of health care

“Typical” Ideological Division: Medical Marijuana Liberals Moderates Conservatives Liberals: no problem, maybe full legalization/decriminalization Conservatives: social costs outweigh medical benefits, danger of “slippery slope”, all drugs are bad Moderates: support for true medical cases, but don’t think about legalization Libertarians: Side with liberals; “toke up”

“Typical” Ideological Division: Gay Marriage Liberals Moderates Conservatives Liberals: accept gay life-style; government should recognize long-term commitment of gay couples Conservatives: government must prohibit; gay marriages violate “sacred” institution of marriage Moderates: recognize “partnership agreements” Libertarians: Side with liberals, none of my business

Ideology: A Different View

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

What about Political Parties?

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

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)

The End