Unit 4 - American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Individualism

Each person has the ability to shape their life and destiny through the choices they make

Equality of opportunity

All people are given an equal chance to compete

Free enterprise

The market determines price, products, and services

Rule of law

Every person, even those in power, must follow and is accountable to the same laws that govern all

Political socialization

Refers to the process by which individuals develop political beliefs, values, opinions, and behaviors

What contributes to the development of an individual’s political attitudes and values

Family, schools, peers, media, and social environments (including civil and religious organizations)

U.S political culture is defined by:

Democratic ideals, principles, and core values

Generational effects

Experiences shared by people of a common age

Life cycle effects

Experiences a person encounters during different life stages

What can influence the development of individual political attitudes?

Major political events

Opinion polls

Measuring public opinion on various issues

What can affect elections and policy debates?

Public opinion data (types of scientific polls)

Benchmark polls

Creating baseline views of a candidate

Tracking Polls

Following how view of a candidate change during a campaign

Exit polls

Collecting data on why people voted the way they did

What can affect public opinion data

Polling methodology

Precise description of polling methodology

Accurate sampling method (calculating a margin of error), neutral framing of questions (specific and unbiased wording of questions), accurate reporting (clear reporting and conclusions that can be supported by the data)

Why is public opinion important

It’s a source of political influence in a given election or policy debate

Democratic Party

Generally aligns more closely to liberal ideological positions

Republican Party

Generally aligns more closely to conservative ideological positions

Balancing dynamic of individual liberty and government efforts to promote:

Stability and order has been reflected in policy debates and their outcomes over time

Public policies generated at any given time:

Reflect the attitudes and beliefs of citizens who choose to participate in politics at that time

Liberal ideologies

Favor more governmental regulation of the marketplace, more national government involvement to address some social issues (education, public health) with less responsibility for these issues left to state government

Conservative ideologies

Favor fewer regulations, favor less national government involvement to address some social issues such as education and public health, with more responsibility for these issues left to state government

Libertarian ideologies

Favor little or no regulation of the marketplace beyond the protection of property rights and voluntary trade, favor little national or state government involvement except when national or state government is protecting private property or individual liberty

Fiscal policy

Consists of actions taken by Congress and the president to influence economic conditions and includes Keynesian and Supply-side positions

Monetary policy

Consists of actions taken by Congress the Federal Reserve to influence interstate commerce rates which affect broader economic conditions

the Fed

An independent agency which seeks to achieve maximum employment and price stability