1. Presentation for POL 101 Dr. Kevin Lasher

2. Ideology: A Different View

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

4. American Ideologies
Liberalism
Conservatism
Libertarianism
Populism

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. Political Parties Government Intervention in Economy Govt.
FOR AGAINST
Govt.
Intervention
in Personal
Matters
LIBERALS
LIBERTARIANS
AGAINST
FOR
POPULISTS
CONSERVATIVES
Political
Parties

9. 2008 ANES Data

10. Degree of Ideological Thinking
2% do not answer
the question
(8% if include
“no preference”)

11. Degree of Ideological Thinking
30% do not answer
the question
(697/2323)

12. Typical Ideological Thinking

13. Typical Ideological Thinking

14. Typical Ideological Thinking

15. Typical Ideological Thinking

16. Typical Ideological Thinking

17. Typical Ideological Thinking

18. Typical Ideological Thinking

19. 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

20. Degree of Ideological Thinking

21. Degree of Ideological Thinking
19% are a “very confused” (49% were wrong or NA)

22. Degree of Ideological Thinking
16% are a “very confused” (46% were wrong or NA)

23. Degree of Ideological Thinking
19% are a “very confused” (49% wrong or NA)

24. Degree of Ideological Thinking
17% are a “very confused” (47% were wrong or NA)