Political ideologies

Political ideology

• Beliefs about morality, economics efficiency, how society should function, and the role of government

• Traditionally, the political ideology spectrum is represented as a line (Liberalism on the left and Conservatism on the right)

Which party are liberal ideologies closely tied to

Democrats

Which party are conservative ideologies closely tied to

Republicans

Platform

Policy positions the party favors, reflecting its ideology

Liberal view on government

Govt has an important role to play in society

Conservative view on government

Govt should play a minimal role in society

Liberal view on economy

• Increased govt regulation of business to protect workers and the environment

• Markets need regulation to function effectively

• Favors taxation of big businesses and the wealthy

• Conservative view on economy

• Govt should minimally regulate the economy

• Market forces operate to produce efficiency and productivity in markets

• Reduced taxation of businesses and the wealthy

Liberal view on federalism

Supports federal power

Conservative view on federalism

Supports states’ rights

Liberal view on national security

• Reduced military spending

• Involvement in foreign affairs

Conservative view on national security

• Increased military spending

• Limited involvement in foreign affairs

Liberal view on social welfare programs

Increased funding of social welfare programs

Conservative view on social welfare programs

Reduced funding of social welfare programs

Liberal view on education

Increased funding for public education

Conservative view on education

Vouchers and support for private and religious education

Liberal view on immigration

Supports legal immigration and path to citizenship for some groups of undocumented immigrants

Conservative view on immigration

Reduced legal immigration and opposes citizenship path for undocumented immigrants

Liberal view on abortion

Supports abortion rights (pro choice)

Conservative view on abortion

Opposes abortion rights (pro life)

Liberal view on civil rights

• Expand civil rights protections

• Affirmative action

Conservative view on civil rights

• Limit civil rights protections

• Opposes affirmative action

Liberal view on environmental protection

Favors regulation to protect the environment and fight climate change

Conservative view on environmental protection

• Opposes govt action to regulate businesses

• Views climate change as insignificant

Liberal view on gun control

Restrictions on gun purchases and ownership

Conservative view on gun control

Opposes restrictions on gun purchases and ownership

Liberal view on healthcare

Expand access and govt involvement in healthcare

Conservative view on healthcare

• Private sector, free market healthcare system

• Minimal govt involvement

Libertarians

Share beliefs with both liberals and conservatives

Libertarian view on govt

• Opposes govt regulation of economic activity and personal choices

• Individual freedom is the highest value

• Govt should only exist to protect private property rights

Libertarian view on economy

• Govt should not regulate the economy

• Allow market to function freely according to decisions made by participants

Liberal view on moral issues

• Govt should not involve itself in people’s personal decisions

• Govt interference in these decisions is a personal liberty violation