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Defining the U.S. Political Culture
Widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to government and to one another
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Where We Learn the American Political Culture
Schools teach an idealized view of the nation’s slogans and
symbols
Family Schools
Number of times a week American families say that
they eat together
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Where We Learn the American Political Culture
Peers and Community
Research shows that in heterogeneous communities, political participation tends
to be higher, with more contested and competitive elections, and with more political debate than in
homogeneous communities
Religion
Those raised in religious households tend to be socialized to contribute
to society and to get involved in their
communities
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Where We Learn the American Political Culture
Media
More than two-thirds of Americans report that they receive “all or
most” of their news from television
Political Ideology
A consistent pattern of beliefs about political values and the role of government
Involves the views of people and how government should work and how it actually worksTwo major schools of political ideology thought: liberalism & conservatism
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Political Ideology: A Consistent Pattern of Beliefs About
Political Values and the Role of Government
Liberalism
A belief that government can and should achieve justice and equality of opportunity
Seek to extend
opportunities to all,
regardless of how poor they
may be
Liberals believe in the probability of success
Rights to own propertySome government intervention in the economy is necessary to remedy the defects of capitalism Government must eliminate discriminationUnion’s rights to organizeWish to preserve the rights of the individualFavor a minimum wage requirement
Advocate equal access to health care, housing, and educationBelieve in affirmative action, protections for workers health and safety, tax rates based on wealth of an individualGovernment must provide programs to offset the loss of liberties brought by modern technology and industrialization
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Political Ideology: A Consistent Pattern of Beliefs About
Political Values and the Role of Government
Conservatism
A belief that limited government ensures order, competitive markets, and personal opportunity
Supports a belief in private
property and free enterprise
Conservatives are pro-business
Enhance individual liberty by keeping government small, especially the national governmentSupport a strong national defensePeople need strong leadership, firm laws, and strict moral codesGovernment’s role is to maintain order & protect the nation from foreign enemies
People are architects of their own fortune and must solve their own problem and create their own successFavor tax cutsDislike environmental regulations on corporationsEncourages free and fair tradePromotes family values
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Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Liberalism and Conservatism
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Political Ideology and the American People
Figure 4-2
Moderates are in the middle and tend to have views that are between these two positions, perhaps with some views on one end of the spectrum and other views on the other end of the spectrum, dependent on the issue.
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Political Ideology and the American People
Figure 4-1
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Differences in
Political Ideology
A lesson on ideology
PowerPoint created by Kellye Self
YLI teacher
Expanding the Political Spectrum!
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Limitations in the Spectrum
There are limitations to the one-line spectrum when determining political ideology for an individual.
In reality, there are two spectrums:Social/Political SpectrumEconomic Spectrum
Because there are really two spectrums, many “ideology surveys” label a significant portion of those who take the test as moderate because they are measuring standards from both spectrums, yet trying to place it on one spectrum.
Extreme: Anarchy Extreme: Fascism, Theocracy
Social & Political Spectrum
Social and political liberals favor limited government regulation of individual behavior.
Examples:Favor protection of offensive language.
Oppose censorship of film, music, etc.
Pro-choice abortion stance.Oppose government sponsored religious activity.
Favor protection of homosexual rights.
Favor affirmative action programs.
Social and political conservatives favor broad government regulation of individual behavior
Examples:Oppose protection of offensive language.
Favor regulation of film, music, etc.
Pro-life abortion stance.Favor government-facilitated religious activity, particularly in school.
Oppose protection of homosexual rights.
Oppose affirmative action programs.
Extreme: Socialism, Communism Extreme: Laissez-Faire, Monopoly
Economic Spectrum Economic liberals favor
broad government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor higher taxes, particularly progressive (based on income level).
Programs assisting the poor such as Medicaid and Head Start.
Redistribution of income (welfare; social security).
Anti-trust legislation.Sympathize with labor in Labor-Management issues.
Economic conservatives favor limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.Favor lower taxes, particularly regressive (flat tax, sales taxes).
Fewer programs with the goal of redistributing income (private charitable assistance; invest own money for retirement).
Oppose government regulation of market choices.
Sympathize with business in Labor-Management issues.
So, where do you fit? If you are like many Americans, you may tend to
be more conservative on some issues and more liberal on others.
The limitation of one spectrum is that this circumstance will generally place you in the middle, which is not necessarily an accurate
reflection of your ideology. Remember, all of this discussion takes place with a base understanding and consensus on the social contract and modern “liberal” political thought.
People on every point on the spectrum generally want what is best for the country—they just differ
on how to achieve it.
Govt.
Control
Economic Issues
Libertarian
Conservative Totalitarian
Liberal
Govt.
ControlFreedom
Ideology Grid
DefinitionsLiberal
Support for greater government control/regulation in economic matters and less government control/regulation of individual matters.
LibertarianSupport for minimal government control of both economic and social issues
ConservativeSupport for less government control/regulation in economic matters and greater government control/regulation of individual matters.
TotalitarianSupport for complete government control of economic and social issues
Liberal Conservative
Favor change over status quo
Favor tradition over change
Rights of the Individual are
more important
Rights of the community are
more important
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Socialism
Bernard Sanders, a self-described socialist, is a Congressman from Vermont
An economic and governmental
system based on public ownership of
the means of production and
exchange
American Socialists favor a greatly expanded role for the
governmentWant to nationalize certain industriesInstitute a public jobs program so that all who want to work could workTax the wealthy much more heavilyDrastically cut defense spending
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Socialism is an economic and governmental system based on public ownership of the means of production and exchange
Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman
Libertarianism
Bob Barr (center), Libertarian candidate for president in 2008
An ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists
on a minimal government,
promoting a free-market economy, a noninterventionist foreign policy, and
an absence of regulation in moral,
economic, and social life
Libertarians cherish individual liberty
Oppose all government programsFavor massive cuts in government spending and an end to the FBI, CIA, & IRSDon’t want the US to join the United NationsFavored armed forces that would defend the US ONLY if directly attackedOppose all government regulation (ex: helmet laws or mandatory seat belts)
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Want to get rid of laws that regulate personal morality– Abortion– Pornography– Prostitution– Illicit drugs
Libertarian
Govt.
Control
Economic Issues
Conservative Totalitarian
Liberal
Govt.
ControlFreedom
Most people will fit somewhere within the
parameters of this circle.
Ideology Grid
Ideology? Ideology?
Voter A: “I worked my way up
from poverty to become the
successful business owner I am
today. I get frustrated when I
think that my tax money goes to
support people who won’t help
themselves. I think part of the
blame belongs with the media –
they promote all the wrong
values.”
Voter B: “I really don’t care
what other people do in their free
time, as long as they don’t bother
me. I sure don’t like it when the
government tells me what to do
with my money or in my own
home – I’m certainly not going to
turn around and do the same
thing to my neighbors.”
Ideology? Ideology?
Voter C: “I really worry
about the state of the
world today. It seems like
more and more kids are
growing up in poverty and
there’s no one there to
help them. I think we need
to do more toward
providing healthcare and
education programs for our
young people.”
Voter D: “These days, you
can’t be too careful. I think we
need to spend a lot more money
on the national defense. I wish
there was a police officer on
every corner! The police could
search my car all they want,
since I don’t break the law. I
also think the government
should crack down on the media
– their reporting gives our
enemies an inside look at all our
military preparations.”