1. Political Culture Ideas and Politics

2. Ideology is not
Black and white * *

3. Instead it falls on a continuum . .
LEFT
MIDDLE
RIGHT *

4. The Left: The Right: Advocates of radical change, republicans
The terms “Left” and “Right” originate from the seating of the members of the newly elected French Legislative Assembly in 1791 – during the French Revolution
The Left:
Advocates of radical change, republicans
The Right:
Supporters of the existing order, monarchists
King Louis XVI
Legislative Assembly

5. It was in the interests of the King to be able to manage the conflict between Left and Right –
through centrist, pragmatic policies, borrowing ideas for state policy from both sides and trying to build a consensus
It proved impossible. France experienced a revolution – a radical change of the political and social order
But even then, there were people in the middle between the extremes
Extremists vs. moderates
In normal conditions, the political spectrum includes a range of ideological “colours” between the extremes

6. Political spectrum: the standard linear model
Far Left Centre- Left Centre Centre- Right Far Right
Socialists Liberal Conservatives Ultraconservatives
Communists Liberals Conservatives Fascists
Radicals Reactionaries

7. Political Culture?
The Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and one another

8. What is American political culture?

10. Our Cultural Values Ranked….
Liberty
Equality
Opportunity
Security
Entertainment

11. Ideology Discussion Questions
What factors influence our ideology?
What are the effects of ideology?
What role does ideology play in politics?
Family, education, experience, etc.
Hostility, misunderstanding, etc.
Voting choices, policies we support, etc.

12. The American Dream is:
The widespread belief that the US is a land of opportunity and that individual initiative and hard work can bring about economic success.
What is the American dream? Is it still alive? How much?

13. America’s political culture Described:
American political culture is?....
If American political culture were an animal, what kind of animal would it be?
Has Trump changed our political culture?

14. Political Socialization…
Political Socialization…. 2 main concepts about the role of ideas in politics:
Political ideology:
Political culture:
the broad pattern of political orientations shared by a large group of people (a nation, a region, a class, an ethnic group)
a system of political ideas, developed for the purposes of political action (governing a country, launching a social movement or a political party, organizing a revolution – or a counterrevolution, etc.)

15. What are political ideologies for?
To provide people with programs of political action:
to govern societies, or
to struggle for change
Both for integration and for conflict, you need an ideology – a coherent set of ideas for purposeful action

16. The earliest ideologies were religions
The earliest ideologies were religions. Many of the earliest rulers in history were priests.
In the Modern Age, political ideologies become increasingly secular (non-religious, some anti-religious), but religions continue to serve as important sources for ideologies to this day
Examples: Christian democracy, Christian socialism, Protestant fundamentalism, Islamic radicalism

17. It is the very essence of political ideology to differ from another ideology on what to do with the status quo (the existing order of things):
To keep it – or to change it.
At the core of every political idea, every political action is a choice between YES and NO. Look at the work of the parliament… Or the UN… Or an election…
The differences between ideologies are rooted in basic assumptions about:
human nature – are humans naturally peaceful, cooperative, rational?
individual and society: which interests come first?
equality: how much social inequality is acceptable?

18. Ideology vs. pragmatism
Does too much ideology make you narrow-minded?
Should one’s political beliefs be based on one ideology - be doctrinaire?
Shouldn’t politicians be free to borrow ideas from different ideologies if they work better in a particular situation?

19. Where did you learn your politics?
1.Family
2.Schools
3.Religious and civic organizations
4.Mass Media
Raise your hand if your parents have
Similar political beliefs. To You??
*About 75% of people end up in the same political party as their parents.

20. List values of the left and right
Main values of American Left (liberalism)
Main values of American Right (Conservatism)
1. Equality
2. Social justice
3. Civil liberties and rights
4. Vigorous role of government in welfare, education, and social programs
5. Market regulation
Liberty
2. Individual rights
3. Small government role in welfare, education, and social programs
4. Free market
5. Preserve traditional value

21. Political Ideology falls along a continuum...
Liberal
Left Wing
Democrat
Conservative
Right Wing
Republican
Moderate
Center
D/R-Member of Party or Political Party
L/R WIng refer to stances
Liberal v Conservative-views *

22. Political Ideology GOALS (SAME): End Result.
. Freedom, Chance for prosperity, As few people suffering as possible, Healthy children, Crime-free streets, etc.
DIRECTION (DIFFERENT): The path to achieve this goal….this is where ideologies come in...

23. Political Ideology: Liberal
Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to help solve people’s problems.
More government involvement
Open to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted

24. Political Ideology: Conservative
Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.
Less government involvement
Favor traditional values, less accepting of changes or new ideas

25. Liberal v. Conservative Stances
Labor Unions
Taxes
Social Programs (Welfare)
Immigration
Abortion
Religion & Government
Censorship of the Arts
Crime
Same Sex Marriage
Environment
Education
Healthcare
Death Penalty
Gun Control
Affirmative Action
DIRECTIONS...
Make a chart:
Issue Liberal Conservative
Research and record the liberal and conservative perspective for each issue.
You may work together...these are notes.

26. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives LABOR UNIONS
Favor Labor Unions
Fight for workers rights: Social security, medicare, etc.
Conservative
Against Labor Unions
Workers shouldnt be forced to join them
Give more power than necessary to workers
Affirmative Action-hiring and race. People shoudl be hired based on ability not race

27. Political Ideology: Liberals vs
Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives: Taxes and Social Spending
Liberals
Increase
Used to support social programs in the states like
Welfare
Medicaid and Medicare
Homeless shelters
Free clinics
Shelters for battered women
Soup kitchens
Conservatives
Decrease
Social programs should be supported through charities taxes
“Trickle Down Economics”
Trickle Down-Tax breaks for upperclass will benefit economy as a whole especially lower class

28. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Abortion
Pro – Choice (For)
A fetus is not a human life
Conservative
Pro – Life (Against)
Human life begins at conception

29. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Defense Spending
Decrease
Use more for social spending
Conservative
Increase or maintain

30. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Death Penalty
Against it (Anti)
Would like to see it banned by the national government
Inhumane
Conservatives
For it (Pro)
“Eye for an eye”

31. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Same Sex Marriage
Believe it should be legal
Not a moral issue, but an equality issue and it is protected by the Constitution
Conservatives
Believe it should not be legal
Support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage
Is a moral issue tied to religion

32. Political Ideology: Liberals vs
Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Attitude Towards Criminals
Liberals
Want rights of accused protected first and foremost
Interested in finding out “why” person committed crime
Conservatives
Want rights of victims protected first and foremost
Not concerned with “why” person committed crime

33. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Minimum Wage
Would like to see it increased
Believe national government should set it to protect workers
Conservatives
Against a minimum wage- would like to see it end
Believe it is too much regulation on business

34. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Social Security
Believe it should be left in the hands of the federal government
Conservatives
Believe it should be privatized

35. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Health Care
Should be 100% provided by the national government
Conservatives
Should continue to be de- regulated and left in the hands of independent, competing health care providers

36. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Immigration
Illegal immigrants do the jobs Americans don’t want to do
Open to discussing options for the millions of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.
Conservatives
Support legal immigration but not illegal immigration
We need stricter immigration laws

37. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Environment
Global Warming caused by increased production of carbon dioxide
Industrial growth harms the environment
Conservatives
Less focus on the environment
Favor industrial growth

38. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Gun Control
More regulations on guns needed.
Conservatives
Second Amendment gives us the right to keep and bear arms

39. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Education
Increase funding for public schools
Raise teacher wages and reduce class size
Conservatives
Parents who pay the taxes that fund the schools should get to choose where and how to educate their children- School vouchers

40. Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives Religion
Want to keep clear and strict separation of church and state
No religion in government policy
Conservatives
Would like to implement more religion into government policy
Views largely based on religion

42. Lakoff – dividing lines What lines do you think divide the US?
Ideology
Lakoff – dividing lines
What lines do you think divide the US?
Don’t think of an elephant!!!
Whatever you do, do not think of an elephant!!!!!
What are you thinking of?
What did people think when Nixon said, “I am not a crook.”?

43. Frames are mental structures that shape the way we see the world.
They are the lenses through which we filter the world.
When you are arguing against the other side: Do not use their language. Their language picks out a frame-and it won’t be the frame you want.

44. For example:
What does tax relief make you think?
If someone uses the term tax relief you are immediately made to think that tax is bad and cutting tax is good. The person saying the term tax relief is making a frame that forces you to see the world a certain way.

45. Pro-choice Family values
Can you think of other frames used in talking about politics?
Pro-choice
Marriage equality
Family values

46. Words are powerful. Framing is about getting language that fits your worldview.
Evaluate this statement:
Facts bounce off of worldviews. They do not change worldviews.

47. Would you let a little baby cry?
George Lakoff, Moral Politics: What conservatives know that liberals don’t
Would you let a little baby cry?
Politically, there are two types of people:
“Strict father”
“Nurturing Parent”
This question divides us into two political (and even religious) camps

48. The world is dangerous and it always will be
Frame one
Strict Father Model
The world is dangerous and it always will be
There is evil out there in the world
The world is competitive
There will always be winners and losers.
There is absolute right and absolute wrong
Children are born bad, they have to be made good
What is needed is a strong strict father who can:
Protect the family in the dangerous world
Support the family in the difficult world, and
Teach his children right from wrong
If people are disciplined, self reliant and work hard they will be prosperous
Children must be obedient and parents must discipline their children
Think about how this frame relates to government policies on welfare, taxes, education, social programs, and foreign policy.

49. Frame Two
Nurturing Family Model
Both parents are equally responsible for raising the child
Children are born good and can be made better
The world can be made a better place
The parents’ job is to nurture the child to be nurturers of others.
Empathy and responsibility are very important
When the child cries you feel empathy so you have a responsibility to provide for him
You will provide him with protection which translates into government programs for the environment and consumer safety, community health programs
It is your moral responsibility to be a happy fulfilled person. Further, you must teach your child to be a happy fulfilled person who wants other s to be happy and fulfilled.
If you want your child to be fulfilled in life there are certain values which will make that happen. The values of this model are:
Opportunity and Fairness
Open communication
Cooperation
Community
Trust and honesty
How does this frame relate to policy, ideology, and what you believe the government should do?

50. Which frame is more yours? How would you divide the world? Analogy?