unit 5 (chapter 8) political culture
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Chapter 8 – Political Culture and Ideologies
12th Grade POD – Ms. Nestico
Political Ideologies
Ideology – a set or system of ideas, beliefs and values held by a collective group of people – “school of thought”
Belief – an idea held to be true by a group
Value – a belief about whether an idea is right or wrong
Everything in life is “political”
Primary Ideologies in the US
Ideology Party Wing Radical Libertarian Liberal Democrat Left Moderate ----------------------------------- Conservative Republican Right Populist Reactionary
Comparison & Contrast
Both liberals and conservatives agree that the government should have a good bit of control and regulation, but in different areas
Liberals want strong control/regulation over the economy
Conservatives want strong regulation over social conduct
Economic Characteristics (Liberal focus)
Money and the distribution of wealth Stock Market Corporations/Big Business Taxation Employment Trade/Investments Banking Industry Social Programs to help those in need
Social Conduct Characteristics (Conservative Focus)
Censorship Morals and Values Drugs Pro-Business Oppose Higher Taxes Tough punishment for crime
Most popular US ideologies
Liberal – strong control & regulation of economy
Conservative – strong control & regulation of social conduct
Libertarian – least amount of government control in both the social conduct & economic realms
Populist – increased government control over both social & economic realms
In terms of Government Regulation & Control
Libertarian 22%
Conservative 30%
Populist 20%
Liberal 16%
SOCIAL CONDUCT
E C O N O M I C
Ideology Spectrum
Moderate
Conservative
Reactionary Radical
Liberal
Liberal
Most interested in protecting individual rights and civil liberties
Change is usually a good thing Anti-federalist roots Increase in social welfare programs More government intervention of the
economy to remedy the defects of capitalism Can be socialistic in nature
Liberal
Robinhood Theory – Redistribution of wealth Usually see an increase in taxes Believe in the positive use of government to
bring about justice and equality of opportunity Seeks protection against inadequate
healthcare, housing and education Believes in affirmative action programs,
unions’ right to organize and strike, etc.
Conservative
Most interested in what’s best for the greater good of society
Free market economy Capitalistic – survival of the fittest, every
man for himself Rich typically get richer Lower taxes overall and cut government
spending
Conservative
Functions of government should encourage family values, protect the nation from foreign enemies, preserve law and order
Human needs should be cared for by families and charities, not the government
Radical
Advocates extreme measures to change government policy
Radical
Civil disobedience Texas v. Johnson
Vietnam war demonstrations on college campuses
Reactionary
Advocates extreme measures to conserve ideals and uphold ultra-conservative use of policies and government
Exceptionally intolerant of others and their viewpoints
Reactionary
More violent acts of civil disobedience Abortion clinic bombers White supremacy groups typically found
here
Economic Policy
Liberals Government should
regulate business to protect public interest
Rich should be taxed higher in order to pay for public services
Government spending on social welfare programs increases
Conservatives Free market economy Less amount of regulation
brings about more competition
Taxes should be kept as low as possible
Government welfare programs destroy people’s incentive to work hard.
Policies on Crime
Liberals Government should
alleviate social problems such as poverty, unemployment, housing inadequacies, etc. as these are the preliminary reasons for crime
Rehabilitate criminals to remedy the problem
Conservatives Increase police forces,
special task forces and prisons.
Stop courts from coddling criminals
Make punishment more harsh and strict to deter future crime
Social Policy
Liberal Freedom of choice and
government should fund it when necessary
Protect minority rights, especially of African American, Hispanic/Latino, women, non-WASP, poor, etc.)
Conservative Government chooses
what’s best, not the individual
Fend for yourself – survival of the fittest
Should allow traditional observations in public policy
National Security Policy
Liberal Government should
support “human rights” throughout the world
Reduce military spending Diplomacy instead of war
Conservative Government should
pursue national/international interests of the US
Increase military spending
War can stimulate the economy
The issues
Economy
Abortion
Death Penalty
The Issues
War in Iraq
Education
Energy
The Issues
Drugs
Healthcare
Poverty
What’s your ideology?
Go to: http://www.politopia.com/quiz_index.php3