1. Learning objectives
Students will explain the relationship between core beliefs of
US citizens and attitudes about the role of government.
Student will explain how cultural factors influence political attitudes
and socialization.

2. What do these terms mean
Lib-er-al: Open minded or tolerant, especially
free and not bound by traditional or
conventional values.
Con-serv-a-tive: Disposed to preserve existing
conditions, and institutions, or to restore
traditional ones and to limit change

3. New Democrats: Centrist who take liberal positions on social
issues and conservative positions on economic issues.
Blue Dog Democrats: Choked “blue” by the party’s more liberal
leadership, push social conservatism and fiscal responsibility
Boll Weevils: 1980s term for social conservative southern democrats
Dixiecrats: 1950s term for socially conservative southern democrats
DINOs: Democrats in name only

4. Rockefeller Republicans: 1970s term for those who were social liberal,
pro-business, and conservative on foreign policy, willing to raise taxes
instead of running deficits
The Mod Squad: Moderate, social liberal US Senators
Gypsy Moths: 1980s Republican moderates from the northeast and Midwest
Log Cabin Republicans; Gay, lesbian, bisexual supporters of the
Republican party
Neo-Cons: Big government conservatives, foreign policy hawks
Pro-Cons: Progressive Conservatives, fiscal conservatives,
social moderates
RINOs; Republicans by name only (John McCain)

7. Summarize this political cartoon
Summarize this political cartoon. Write everything you notice in the cartoon and try to explain why the cartoonist portrays the cartoon this way.

8. Summarize this political cartoon
Summarize this political cartoon. Write everything you notice in the cartoon and try to explain why the cartoonist portrays the cartoon this way.

9. Where do the two major political ideologies stand on these issues?
Taxes
Social Programs (Welfare)
Immigration
Abortion
Religion & Government
Crime
Same Sex Marriage
Environment
Education
Healthcare
Death Penalty
Gun Control
Where do the two major political ideologies stand on these issues?

10. Where Do the Political Beliefs Come From?
Socializing agents
Family
School
Peer groups and associations
Media
Focusing events

11. Conservatism Believes in a minimal role of government
Both in terms of social and economic issues
Believes in individual freedom and the protection of these freedoms at all costs
Believes in equal opportunity for all
Smaller national government & stronger state government
Liberty over equality?
Conservatism

12. Liberalism Believes in a government with a large role
Both in terms of social and economic issues
This typically includes, but is not bound to, support of: income redistribution,  social legislation
Results should be equal for all
Equality over liberty?
Liberalism

13. Government involvement in social and economic aspects of life should be minimal
Economic and social self-governance
As long as actions do not harm others, they should be legal
Laws restricting behavior of individuals should be eliminated
Libertarianism

14. Belief that everyone should own and control the means of production.
Production to satisfy human needs, not, as under capitalism, for sale and profit
Socialism in America?
Expanded role of national government
Nationalization of certain industries
Nationalized welfare, health care, and redistribution of wealth
Socialism

15. A social and economic system in which all (or nearly all) property is public, not private
Resources are shared by everyone
Complete government involvement and regulation of the economy
Redistribution of wealth is a key. The government owns, runs, and controls all business
Communism

16. Liberal vs. Conservative
Government Regulation in Economy
Deregulation in the Economy
Expanded Social Welfare
Decrease Social Welfare programs
National Healthcare
Reduction Government influence in Healthcare
Pro Choice
Pro Life
Lower Taxes on Middle Class, raise taxes on the Wealthiest
Lower taxes across the Board

17. Political Socialization
Political attitudes are grounded in values.
We learn these values by a process known as political socialization.
Many factors influence opinion formation
What are the factors that influence opinion?

18. Geographic Region East and West Coasts – more liberal
Mid-West – more conservative
Urban - liberal
South – s - Democrat “Solid South” but today they are primarily social conservatives
White Southerner always less liberal

20. Jewish People are more Liberal while Protestants are more Conservative
Whites are more Conservative while African Americans are more Liberal
Women are more likely to be democrats while men are more likely to be Republicans
Southern Citizens are more likely to be conservative while Northern Citizens are more likely to be democratic