Ideologies and Policy

individual liberty (liberal) vs. gov. stability and order (conservative)

political ideology

coherent set of beliefs and values about the purpose and scope of government held by individuals and groups

liberal

• ideology rooted in New Deal

• beliefs in strong government involvement to bring about equality of opportunity and justice,

• social welfare programs + keen on individual rights

• government intervention in economy to mediate issues with capitalism

democrats

• liberal party, increased federal government control over economy, gun control

• less government social issue control

• less military spending

• supports reproductive and lgbtq+ rights

conservative

• ideology for limited, small government that promotes individualism

• less control over biz, private property, free enterprise

• more federal government control over social issues

• support of 2nd amendment

populist

ideology of more gov control overall:

• more involvement in the economy

• government’s role to red

• more control on social issues, personal behavior too

libertarian

ideology of weak, small government and more freedom overall:

• little or no fed government intervention in economy

• strong belief in personal freedom

• little government intervention in social issues

republicans

• conservative party, less gov control over economy

• more control over social aspects of life

• support military spending

• oppose abortion

liberal core values

(ranked by the ideology)

1. equality of opportunity

2. rule of law

3. individualism

4. free enterprise

5. limited government

libertarian core values

(ranked by the ideology)

1. individualism

2. limited government

3. free enterprise

4. equality of opportunity

5. rule of law

conservative core values

(ranked by the ideology)

1. free enterprise

2. individualism

3. limited government

4. rule of law

5. equality of opportunity

public policy topics

includes criminal justice, economy, education, environment, health, social welfare, national security and foreign affairs, culture and society, and government operation

majoritarian policymaking / participatory democracy

• policymakers prioritize the will of the majority

• democratic government is a crucial principle to America

interest group policymaking / pluralism

• interest groups and the 3 branches interact in policymaking

• interest groups fund candidates, provide testimony at hearings, promote specific policies for their members and philosophy

agenda setting

(step 1 in policy making cycle) public identifies a significant public problem and calls the government into action

• officials help bring attention

policy formulation

(step 2 in policy making cycle) policymakers respond, creating legislative, regulatory, or programmatic strategies to address the problem

policy adoption

(step 3 in policy making cycle) policymakers formally take up a solution, usually in legislation or rules

policy implementation

(step 4 in policy making cycle) to make the policy work, government agencies start creating procedures, writing guidance docs, issuring grants to other governments

policy evaluation

(step 5 in policy making cycle) analysts outside and inside the government evaluate if the policy addresses the problem well

• they can recommend revisions to (step 1) agenda, (step 2) formulation, or (step 4) implementation

monetary policy

actions that central banks take for objectives like maximum employment and price stability

fiscal policy

government’s revenue collection and spending decisions (Congress and administration)

taxing

• type of fiscal policy

• Art. 1 Sec. 8 gives Congress power to ___

• Congress created Internal Revenue Service

16th amendment

1913: established federal graduated income tax

spending

• type of fiscal policy

• Art. 1 Sec. 7 and Sec. 9 gives Congress power of the purse

• budget process is becoming more partisan

• President begins budget process consulting with Office of Management & Budget

• Congress passes annual budget with Congressional Budget Office

Keynesianism

British economist’s belief that the gov. must spend more money in recession and cut spending in inflation—thereby regulating the economy, managing demand, broad involvement

• ex: 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act

• economic libe

supply side economics

Economist Arthur Laffer and Reagan belief that less gov. regulations + involvement and lower taxes stimulate the economy

• ex: 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (low taxes for employers to hire too)

• economic conservatives

Federal Reserve Act (1913)

developed a central banking system that largely represented public interest; goals of price stability and full employment (inflation low, employment full),

• 12 regional banks

• organization is independent of Congress

• Dodd Frank Act (2010): financial stability, making sure systemic risk is contained

social insurance programs

• entitlement program funded by individuals who benefit from the program

• ex: medicare, social security, unemployment insurance

public assistance programs

• entitlement program funded by taxpayers

• eligibility is need-based

• ex: Medicaid, SNAP, rent vouchers, children’s health insurance program

privacy

(& intimacy)

• Liberals support the individual right to ___, individual freedoms especially abortions, same-sex marriage

• Conservatives believe state over federal laws decide ___

informational privacy

liberals want strict limits on gov. surveillance

conservatives want more gov. surveillance

education

liberals support free public ____

conservatives support individual liberty over order (school choice and school vouchers (money that goes to people enrolling their children in private or parochial schools) and individual freedom to decide vaccines)

religion

liberals want restrictions on practice/activity of ___

conservatives oppose gov. involvement in free exercise