VII. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION 1. DEFINITION: The process by which individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes. How we pass on our political beliefs and traditions to the younger generation.

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION What factors influence or shape the development of our political ideology (beliefs)?

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION Factors that shape our developing Political Ideology: FAMILY RELIGION FRIENDS / PEERS COMMUNITY EDUCATION / SCHOOLS MASS MEDIA = TV, INTERNET, RADIO, PRINT RACE AND ETHNICITY

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION Which factor has the strongest effect on the development of a person’s political ideology?

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION FAMILY – This is who we spend the most time with from our younger days so they have the strongest effect. A high majority of people join the same political party as their parents

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY 1. What is it? A basic set of beliefs and values that people hold about government and public policy (what government should be doing)

POLITICAL SPECTRUM OLD SCHOOL VERSION Radical Moderate Reactionary ---------------------------------------------------------- Liberal Conservative

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

POLITICAL SPECTRUM The straight line is not an accurate method of referencing the wide array of ideologies that people have about government.

RADICAL A person who wants extreme measures to create an entirely new system EX: Earth First / Anarchists / Communists

EX: Militia Groups / Pro-Choice Groups / the KKK REACTIONARY One who favors a reverse movement in direction. Take America back to when things were better. EX: Militia Groups / Pro-Choice Groups / the KKK

MODERATES One whose political beliefs fall in between liberals and conservatives. They are liberal on some issues and conservative on other issues. Most Americans are moderates EX: Arnold Schwarzenegger – Married to the Liberal Kennedy’s and pro-choice but a Republican who is anti-tax

LIBERALS Someone in favor of reform or change for the better One who favors national government involvement in the economy and social progress

LIBERALS National Gov’t is the solver of problems Favors social change Protect individual freedoms and choice Loose interpretation of Constitution to expand rights Pro: Choice / Affirmative Action / Government Regulation of Business / Unions and workers’ rights / Protect world peace

LIBERALS GENERALLY BELONG TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

LIBERALS

LIBERALS

CONSERVATIVE Someone who is resistant to change or inclined to traditional views Believe in status quo and not in social change Believe in a limited role for govt in society and in individual responsibility One who favors more of a role for state governments than the national government

CONSERVATIVES STATES RIGHTS Strict interpretation of the Constitution Pro = Life / guns / religion / business / American Military strength / Anti = Abortion / Same Sex Marriage / Regulation of business / taxes / Affirmative Action

CONSERVATIVES Generally belong to the Republican party / the GOP

CONSERVATIVES

CONSERVATIVES

CONSERVATIVES

LIBERTARIANS One who is conservative on economic matters (no taxes and no regulations) and liberal on social issues (legalize drugs and same sex marriage) Believe in a small, weak, government

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY 1. There are too many government regulations protecting the environment which hampers business and cuts the number of jobs. 2. Raise taxes on the wealthy 3. Repeal the federal income tax Increase welfare spending to provide more job training and support Put limits on long someone can collect welfare

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY 6. School prayer should be allowed 7. Flag burning is objectionable but protected speech 8. Protect union rights to bargain for their working conditions (Say hello to Wisconsin) 9. Save endangered animals 10. Do not regulate greenhouse gases

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY 11. Affirmative Action helps groups that have a history of discrimination and disadvantage 12. Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination 13. Spend more money on drug treatment and rehab than jails 14. The death penalty is appropriate for serious, violent crimes 15. Drugs are a personal choice and should not be controlled by the government.