Week 8: Black Ideology and the Ideological Paradox

What is individual level ideology?

This refers to a person’s belief system on various policy issues (such as views on healthcare, taxes, the military, etc.).

Give an example of individual ideology?

A person’s opinions on one issue (like government spending) can influence their opinions on other issues (like military spending).

Example: if you believe the government should have a smaller budget, you might also support reducing military spending.

Are individual ideologies personal?

Yes, and they can vary widely from person to person

What is group level ideology?

language for in-group members.

• helps a group define its identity and role in society. It explains who they oppose, who they align with, how they see the country, and how they view white people in relation to their experiences.

What is the core idea of black group ideology?

provides a shared language and framework to guide the group’s actions and goals, helping them understand their place in society and how to achieve justice.

Explain interpeter of truth one of the Black group ideology?

this helps the group understand what is going on in society

Ex: Recognizing systemic racism as an ongoing issue that affects Black people's lives.

Explain reduces complexity as one of the functions of Black group ideology?

Makes complicated issues easier to understand.

Ex: The message of the Civil Rights Movement being simplified to be racial equality into a fight for basic human rights.

explain Links Individual Experiences to Group Narratives

Connects personal experiences to the broader community’s story.

Ex: A Black person facing discrimination sees their experience as part of a larger history of Black people fighting for equality.

explain Identifying Friends and Foes:

Helps the group figure out who supports them (friends) and who opposes them (foes).

Ex: During the Civil Rights Movement, the NAACP is seen as an ally, while segregationists are considered foes.

explain Defining What is Desirable:

Sets goals for the group to achieve.

Ex: The goal of Black empowerment, where Black people seek political, economic, and social equality.

explaining Providing a Range of Strategies for Achieving Desired Outcomes:

Offers different methods to reach the group’s goals.

Ex: Strategies like peaceful protests (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.) or more direct actions (e.g., Black Power Movement).

What is on the polls of the uni-dimensional ideological spectrum?

• Radical = Really Big Change (far left)

• Liberal = Little change, within the system (left center)

• Moderate = Middle ground (center)

• Conservative = Change with Caution (right center)

• Reactionary = Return to the past (far right)

How does ideology simplify politics?

Black ideology is a menu and peopls sample from because it provides a framework for decision making and reducing complexity.

What are partisan cues and why do people rely on them?

partisan cues (e.g., political parties, media outlets) to guide their views, and this is often more effective compared to descriptive representation since they directly align with your ideological beliefs and give you a clearer understanding of a representative's policy stances.

What is social sanctioning?

occurs when group members are pressured to follow the group’s ideology

Define black common sense?

the idea among African Americans that Blackness is a meaningful political category

What are the key features of Black common sense?

Identifiable,

persistent

relevant to personal decisions.

Does Clarence Thomas have black common sense?

No because he doesn’t think race has an effect on life especially bc of his conservative stance.

What are the four distinct black ideologies?

Black Feminism
Black Conservatism
Black Liberal Integrationism
Black Nationalism

What is black feminism?

Emerged mid-20th century to address the dual oppression of race and gender faced by Black women.

Intersectionality: Interconnectedness of race, class, and gender creating unique oppression for Black people, especially Black women.

What is the significance of the Combahee River Collective (1977)

A group of Black feminists advocating for Black women's liberation as central to overall social justice.

They said: As Black women we see Black feminism as the logical political movement to combat the manifold and simultaneous oppressions that all women of color face

Who is considered the father of Black Nationalism, and what organization did he found?

Marcus Garvey; Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

What is the dominant belief of Black Nationalism?

Black people should have independent institutions and power structures rather than integrating into white-dominated society.

What are the five manifestations of Black Nationalism?

• Cultural Nationalism – Promotes Black pride, heritage, and traditions.

• Political Nationalism – Advocates for Black self-governance and autonomy.

• Economic Nationalism – Encourages Black-owned businesses and economic independence.

• Social Nationalism – Focuses on creating Black institutions and support systems.

• Religious Nationalism – Emphasizes Black-centered spiritual practices (e.g., Nation of Islam).

What are the four key questions used to differentiate Black ideologies?

• How much does Blackness constrain your life?

• How significant is race compared to other characteristics?

• Should Blacks solve their own problems or look to the system for help?

• What is the required degree of separation from whites?

What is the Black partisan-ideological paradox?

Black people tend to vote Democratic despite a significant portion identifying as conservative on certain issues.

What percentage of Black Americans identify as conservative?

25-30%

What percentage of Black Americans support the Democratic Party?

Around 80%

Why does this paradox exist?

• Racial Group Consciousness – Black voters prioritize racial solidarity over individual ideology.

• Racialized Social Sanctioning – Social pressure within Black communities discourages Republican alignment.

What does Jefferson (2025) suggest is the main cause of the partisan-ideological paradox?

Ideological misalignment – Many Black Americans understand symbolic ideology (values like justice & equality) but may not fully align with operational ideology (specific policy choices).

What is the Liberal-Conservative Familiarity Index?

A measure of how well individuals understand liberal vs. conservative ideologies.

How do Black and White respondents differ on the Liberal-Conservative Familiarity Index?

Black respondents generally score lower than White respondents, meaning they may not identify as ideologically conservative even when they hold conservative views.

What was the main finding from Jefferson (2024)?

The weaker connection between ideology and partisanship among Black Americans is due to lower ideological familiarity rather than an intentional mix of liberal and conservative views.

What is the difference between symbolic and operational ideology?

• Symbolic Ideology – Broad values people identify with (e.g., justice, equality).

• Operational Ideology – Specific policy preferences (e.g., government spending, taxation).