4A - Political Ideology

Political Ideology

• A certain set of beliefs of how the government should be run

• Beliefs about power, the role of the government, different policies

Political Culture

• Set of shared beliefs, values, and norms that shape the political behavior of our society

• Americans have become less trustful of our government

Individualism

• People should work based on their own merit

• People should be self-reliant

• Individual rights, liberties, autonomy, responsability

Collectivism

• Opinions are shared by the group

• Commitment towards the family

• EVeryone should be loyal to a group and care for it’s well-being

• The group makes all decisions

Equality of Opportunity

• Having equal opportunities for everyone

• Unequal outcomes are expected

• Can’t have freedom and economic equality at the same time

Free Enterprise

• Private individuals and businesses make economic decisions without the government intervening

• Right to private property

• Profit motive

• Competition

• Consumer freedom to buy from wherever

• Voluntary Exchange

Rule of Law

• All people and the government are equally applied to the laws

• No one above the law

• Due process

• Limited Government

• Stable and Predictable Society

Political Socialization

• The process to how a person obtains their political orientation

Generational Effect

• How a major event changes the political views of a generation

Life Cycle Effect

• How peoples ideological views change throughout life

Liberalism

Large Central Government: Government is progressive

Systemic Inequities

Key Value: Equality

Social Welfare:  Need more social programs (social safety net) Demand side / Keynesian

Higher Taxes: On the wealthy and Corporations

More Government Regulations: protect the environment, rights, workers, etc.

Urban Areas

• More regulations on businesses

• Environmental regulation 

• Worker regulations

• Living Wages/Min Wage increases

• Rich should pay more   

• Pro-choice

• Restorative Justice 

• Criminals are victims of systemic inequalities

• rights of accused protected first and foremost

• Interested in finding out “why” person committed crime

• No capital punishment

• Support Social Security managed by gov

• Nationalized health care provided by the government. 

• Mandatory coverage and insurance

• Support Obamacare
  

Conservatism

Smaller Central Government: Government is more of a problem 

Core Value: Liberty - individual liberty

Economic Freedom: Capitalism and Free Enterprise create opportunity and hard work and merit = more economic success.

Trickle Down Economics: Tax cuts for all

Traditional Family Values and morals

Less Regulations: The Bureaucracy is too big 

Rural Areas

• Less Regulations on business

• Environmental regulation hurt people more than they help the environment.

• Against mandatory wages

• Tax cuts for all

• Creates reinvestment = more job opportunities, higher wages and less need for government assistance. 

• Pro-life

• Punitive = criminals need harsh punishment

• Private social security

• health care is deregulated and left in the hands of independent, competing health care providers

• Privatization (free market) 

• Against Obamacare
  

Socialism

• Expanded American government

• Public ownership of key industries

• Vast public job programs for those who want to work

• High taxes for wealthy

• Cut defense spending

• Social and economic equality

• Against “free market economy”

• Healthcare and childcare provided for all

• Free college

Libertarianism

• Individual liberties foremost, and limited state and fed gov

• Massive cuts in federal spending; reduce and eliminate taxes

• End to any federal government policing

• Small defense

• Complete withdrawal of all overseas U.S. military

• No government programs

• Repeal laws regulating morality

• No government regulation at all

• Free Market Economics