1. Political Ideologies
Democracies

2. Beliefs & Behaviors Political Ideologies
What role do the people play in American democracy?
What do the people believe about American government?

3. Political Ideologies
Beliefs & Behaviors

4. Deal with what people think the role of the government should be
Beliefs & Behaviors
Ideology
Political Ideologies
A set of core beliefs
Deal with what people think the role of the government should be
Deal with whether or not changes need to be made in government and how those changes need to be made
These are individual decisions about desirable policies, politics, and public purpose

5. Ideology Political Spectrum Political Spectrum
Think of the American political spectrum as a “bell curve”
Most Americans are in the middle
There are very few people at the extremes

6. Ideology Political Spectrum Political Spectrum
Those at the extremes are the
“loudest voices”
Those in the middle tend to receive less attention from the media
They are most likely to participate in voting & other acitvitiesi
Those in the middle tend to receive more attention from politicians

7. Ideology Political Spectrum Political Spectrum
On the leftt of this spectrum, people want “as much government” as possible
On the right of this spectrum, people want “as little government” as possible
To most government on the left
From smallest government on the right

8. Ideology Political Spectrum As Ideologies Liberals Moderates
Conservatives
“the left”
“the right”

9. Ideology Political Spectrum As Voters Liberals Moderates Conservatives
Democrats
Independents
Republicans

10. Moderates
Beliefs & Behaviors

11. Ideologies Moderates Moderates
Have some liberal and some conservative beliefs
Most Americans consider themselves to be moderates – about 40%
Advocate neither extreme right wing politics or left wing politics
The number of people identifying themselves as moderate has been decreasing

12. Ideologies Moderates Moderates Politicians will cater to these people
There are so many of them
They can be swayed by either party in an election

13. Political Socialization
Beliefs & Behaviors

14. Ideologies Socialization Political Socialization
The way people develop their
own political opinions
Main sources are family, media, and school
There are other sources with less impact: religion, peers, history, etc.

15. Ideologies Socialization
There are some issues that people don’t really have a strong opinion about
EX: foreign trade agreements
There are some issues that people have very intense opinions about
EX: abortion

16. Ideologies Socialization Culture War
The idea of a constant struggle between liberals and conservatives about who is right about the issues people feel intensely about
Abortion
Gun Rights
Gay Rights
Immigration
Poverty
Drugs

17. Liberals
Beliefs & Behaviors

18. Ideologies Liberals Liberals
See the government as necessary to solve society’s problems
Emphasize the importance of equality over the importance of freedom
Advocate for more government involvement in the economy
Advocate for less government involvement in your private life

19. The government’s role is to help people
Ideologies
Liberals
Liberals
The government’s role is to help people
This will mean supporting higher taxes to redistribute resources to increase equality
Government should help provide for those in need through the welfare state
Government should be as secular as possible, not emphasizing any specific religious morality

20. Conservatives
Beliefs & Behaviors

21. Ideologies Conservatives Conservatives
The government’s role is to protect people’s ability to take care of themselves
The government must keep taxes low, so people can care for themselves
Advocate for less government involvement in the economy
Advocate for more government involvement in your private life

22. Ideologies Conservatives Conservatives
See the government as the source of many of society’s problems
Emphasize the importance of freedom over the importance of equality
Government aid to those in need makes them dependent on the welfare state
Government has an important role in establishing a certain level of morality

23. Extreme Ideologies
Beliefs & Behaviors

24. Ideologies Conservatives Communists Libertarians Extreme left
Extreme right
Think the government should make all people economically equal
Think the government should ensure the maximum level of freedom
Are willing to eliminate freedoms, especially economic freedom to achieve this goal
Are willing to eliminate most government services, which they see as unnecessary, to achieve this

25. Comparing Liberals & Conservatives
Beliefs & Behaviors

26. Comparing Issues Liberals Conservatives
People who hold “progressive” values
People who hold “traditional” values
Want to make significant changes in society
Want to maintain the status quo
(keep things the way they are)
Think the government should play a big role in improving society
Think that individuals need to take responsibility by working hard to improve their own standing

27. Culture War Abortion Liberals Conservatives
Women have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies
The embryo in the womb should have the same protections as any person
Restricting abortions restricts the rights of women to make choices
Allowing abortions is allowing murder of people before they are born

28. Culture War Guns Liberals Conservatives
The government needs to restrict gun ownership rights
People should be able to own weapons to defend themselves
Restricting provide a greater level of safety for society
It’s dangerous for the government to have a monopoly on gun ownership

29. Culture War Guns Liberals Conservatives
The government needs to restrict gun ownership rights
People should be able to own weapons to defend themselves
Restricting provide a greater level of safety for society
It’s dangerous for the government to have a monopoly on gun ownership

30. Culture War Gay Rights Liberals Conservatives
The government needs to enforce equal protection of law to gays
The government has a role to play in promoting traditional morals
Homosexuals need the govt to take an active role in protecting them
People’s religious beliefs must be protected – and they are allowed to think homosexuality is immoral

31. Culture War Taxes Liberals Conservatives
The rich must be taxed at high rates – must contribute their share
The govt needs to allow people to keep the money they made
Taxes play a role in redistributing wealth to those in need
People are able to care for themselves better with less govt intervention
Taxes discourage economic growth

32. Culture War Military Liberals Conservatives
Search for more diplomatic solutions to international problems
The US needs a strong military to protect its interests around the world
Military spending is too high & could be used to solve domestic problems
Military spending should be increased to make America safer

33. Culture War Immigration Liberals Conservatives
All immigrants are valuable and enrich America’s culture & economy
Illegal immigrants harm America’s economy by draining services and competing with working classes
The govt should encourage immigration/protect immigrants here
The govt should strictly enforce immigration laws and attempt to remove all illegal immigrants

34. Culture War Drugs Liberals Conservatives
Illegal drug use is a “victimless crime” and govt should prioritize other enforcement of laws
Drug use is a threat to communities and a source of crime
The govt should not harshly punish those who are nonviolent drug offenders
The govt should strictly enforce all drug laws

35. Culture War Poverty Liberals Conservatives
Poverty is systemic and causes are societal
Poverty is the result of individual choices and work ethic
The govt should help those in poverty with more social services
The govt should not encourage dependence on the govt with social services
When govt does act, it discourages charity that would help the impoverished

36. Bigly Ideas
Beliefs & Behaviors

37. History Wrap Up What is an ideology Political spectrum
Liberal ideology
Conservative ideology
Focus on these things:
Political Socialization