2. Presentation for POL 101 Dr. Kevin Lasher

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

5. Political World is Very Complex Constitution and Laws Taxes and Spending Parties, Elections, Candidates Civil Liberties and Civil Rights National defense, morality, citizenship, others

6. Ideology Makes Sense of Complexity

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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. Classical Ideology: Reactionary-ism Reactionaries appear in 1900s

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

19. Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO CHANGE 1930s New Deal Programs

20. Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO Existing Programs 2000s New Deal Programs

21. Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO CHANGE 1960s Civil Rights Programs

22. Radicals Liberalism Conservatism Reactionary STATUS QUO 2000s Civil Rights Programs Existing Programs

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

24. Classical Ideology

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

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

27. Government Regulation of Economy ?

28. 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

29. 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

30. Government Regulation of Personal Matters ?

31. 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

32. 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

33. American Ideologies Liberalism Conservatism Libertarianism Populism (Communitarianism)

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

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

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

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

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

39. Liberals Moderates Conservatives “Typical” Ideological Division: Health Care Reform 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

40. Liberals Moderates Conservatives “Typical” Ideological Division: Medical Marijuana 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”

41. Liberals Moderates Conservatives “Typical” Ideological Division: Gay Marriage 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

42. What about Political Parties?