1. Political Ideology

2. Political Ideology
Consistent set of beliefs and values about govt. and public policy
Voting patterns and stances on issues
Broken down into two categories
Liberals
Conservatives

3. Definitions since 1932 Liberals
Supports an active national govt. that will intervene in the economy and create social welfare programs
Conservatives
Supports individualism and personal responsibility (free market)
States’ rights over national supremacy

5. Foreign Policy Conservatives
Believe we should maintain peace through strength
More likely to support military intervention
Spend more
Liberals
Believe we should spend less
Less willing to commit troops to action

6. Social Policy Conservatives Support “right to life”
Supportive of school prayer
Oppose affirmative action
Against same sex marriage
Liberal
Support “freedom of choice”
Opposed to faith based initiatives
Support affirmative action
Support same sex marriage

7. Economic Policy Conservatives Favor free market Want to keep taxes low
Want to keep spending low
Liberals
View govt. as regulator in the public interest
Want to raise taxes on the rich
Want to spend more on the poor

8. Crime Liberals Conservatives
Believe we should solve the problems that cause crime
Believe more in protecting rights of the accused rather than punishing criminals
Do not support death penalty
Conservatives
Believe we should stop “coddling criminals”
Believe we should stop letting criminals hide behind laws
Support the death penalty