Ideology and the Scope of Government

People hold different opinions about the merits of government policies Ideology… is defined as a consistent set of values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government

Ideology and the Scope of Government Ideologies exist on a continuum Totalitarianism Socialism Capitalism Libertarianism Anarchism

Ideology and the Scope of Government Totalitarianism is the belief that government should have unlimited power and control all sectors of society and individual behavior, such as in business, labor, education, sports and the arts. North Korea Socialism is a theory of government that believes the scope of government extends to ownership or control of the basic industries that produce goods and services. Socialism allows for more private ownership of productive capacity than Communism. China In China the government manages and controls the economy. Many of the domestic companies are owned and run by the government. Recently, the Chinese economy has become more geared towards capitalism, but is still officially socialist. Life in China remains relatively less stressful and more relaxed than life in capitalist countries like America.

Ideology and the Scope of Government Capitalism is an ideology that supports free enterprise and private business operating without government regulation. United States Libertarianism is an ideology that opposes all government action except what is necessary to protect life and property. Anarchism is an ideology that opposes all government, in any form and values freedom above all else.

Ideology and the Scope of Government Liberals and Conservatives: The Narrow Middle Practical politics in the U.S. ranges over center of ideological continuum Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 6 LiberalsConservatives Favor more government spending, programs and regulation Favor less government spending, programs and regulation

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 7 Ideology and the Scope of Government

American Political Ideologies and the Purpose of Government Liberals vs. Conservatives: New Differences Today: differences focus on purpose of government Conservatives: support maintenance of social order Liberals: support use of government to promote equality Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 8

American Political Ideologies and the Purpose of Government Two-Dimensional Classification of Ideologies: Freedom and Order Libertarians: value freedom more than order or equality Liberals: value freedom more than order, but not more than equality Conservatives: value freedom more than equality, would restrict it to preserve social order Communitarians: value both equality and order more than freedom Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 9

10 Ideologies: A Two- Dimensional Framework

Analyzing Viewpoints – indicate whether each statement below would most likely be made by a conservative or a liberal by putting a “C” or an “L” in the appropriate blank. 1. An individual should be able to behave as she/he sees fit without gov’t restraint as long as the behavior does not infringe on the rights of others. 2. America’s high crime rate is due to courts being too lenient with criminals.

3. The government should not hesitate to restrain individual or corporate economic interests if it will enhance the public good. 4. High gov’t taxes discourage citizens from working hard. 5. Tax loopholes are “welfare for the rich” that cause middle and lower income groups to pay more.

6. The federal gov’t places too many restrictions on the way corporations conduct their business. 7. The best way to combat crime is to attack its causes: ignorance, poverty, hopelessness.