Political Ideology and Public Opinion: Comprehensive Study Guide

Fundamental Definitions of Ideology and Public Opinion

  • Ideology: Defined as a set of underlying orientations, ideas, and beliefs.
  • Political Ideology: Specifically indicative of the degree of involvement on the part of a government in the economy and/or social issues.
  • Public Opinion:
    • Opinion: A view or judgment of something; a sentiment.
    • Ideology vs. Opinion: Ideology refers to the underlying belief system, whereas opinion refers to a specific attitude.
    • Strength/Stability: Ideology is considered "stronger" and more difficult to change than individual opinions.

The Spectrum of Political Ideology

  • Major Distinction: The primary difference between ideologies is how and why the power of the government is used.

  • The Linear Spectrum:

    • Left: Progressives (Liberals).
    • Center: Moderates.
    • Right: Conservatives.

  • Classification of Ideological Types:

    • Major Types: Conservative; Progressive (Liberal).
    • Minor Types: Libertarian; Socialist.
    • Extreme Types: Radical; Reactionary.

  • Expanded Ideological Linear Model:

    • The spectrum ranges from Anarchy (no government) to Totalitarianism (total government control).
    • Key positions include: Communism, Authoritarianism, Democracy, Socialism, Fascism, and Nazism.

Deep Dive: Major and Minor Ideologies

  • Conservative Ideology:

    • Focus: Favors the "status quo."
    • Change: Believes in learning from the past and implementing incremental change.
    • Government Size: Preference for a smaller government.
    • Core Perspectives: Pro-Life, Pro-gun ownership rights, Pro-business.
    • Term to Know: "Subsidiarity" (Example: The methodology of handling a fallen tree—resolving issues at the most local/immediate level possible).

  • Progressive (Liberal) Ideology:

    • Focus: Favors an "active" government.
    • Change: Supports more rapid change and government intervention.
    • Government Size: Preference for a larger government.
    • Core Perspectives: Pro-Abortion, Anti-gun ownership rights, Pro-environment.
    • Approach: Utilizes a "top-down" approach to societal issues.

  • Socialist Ideology:

    • Focus: Goverment should intervene in both Economic AND Social issues as needed.
    • Government Activity: Requires a VERY ACTIVE government.
    • Approach: Uses a top-down approach to reorganize and order society.

  • Libertarian Ideology:

    • Focus: Government needs to be as small as possible.
    • Approach: "Laissez faire" approach.
    • Core Perspectives: Intervention in Economic AND Social issues should be kept to an ABSOLUTE minimum.

Major Political Parties in the United States

  • Democrats:

    • Tend to be Liberal.
    • Color representation: Blue on maps.
    • Position on spectrum: Left.
    • Symbol: Donkey.

  • Republicans:

    • Tend to be Conservative.
    • Color representation: Red on maps.
    • Position on spectrum: Right.
    • Symbol: Elephant.

Legislative Geography and Political Demographics

  • Texas Representation (2024):

    • US House of Representatives District Map: Contains 3838 seats.
    • Texas State House of Representatives District Map: Contains 150150 seats.

  • Urban vs. Rural Ideological Trends (Based on Business Insider and Tausanovitch/Warshaw, March 20142014 data):

    • More Liberal Cities: San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach, Santa Ana, San Diego, Boston, Buffalo, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Detroit, Newark, Milwaukee, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami.
    • More Conservative Cities: Fresno, Riverside, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Mesa, Omaha, Indianapolis, Columbus, Aurora, Denver, Colorado Springs, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Tucson, Fort Worth, El Paso, Dallas, Arlington, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi, Tampa, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Raleigh, Charlotte, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Lexington.
    • Outlier/Alaska/Hawaii: Anchorage and Honolulu.

The Formation of Public Opinion: Socialization

  • James Bryce's "The American Commonwealth" (18881888):

    • Includes a chapter titled "The Nature of Public Opinion."
    • Discusses the stages of the formation of Public Opinion.
    • Conceptualizes the "virgin soil" of the mind and how it is influenced.

  • Socialization Elements: This is the process by which individuals learn and are influenced in their thoughts and behaviors. Sources include:

    • Family and Social Networks.
    • Education.
    • Social Groups.
    • Socio-Economic Factors.

Questions & Discussion

  • Personal Reflection on Political Issues:

    • Question: What are 22-33 political issues you care about? Why do you think these are important?

  • Pew Research Center Quiz:

    • Activity: Students work through the Pew Research Political Typology quiz (anonymous) to see where they fall on the spectrum and read descriptions of their results.
    • Reflection Question: Regarding your particular survey results, what conformed with your thoughts earlier? What surprised you? Regarding the wider survey results, what surprised you?

  • The Kinder Houston Area Survey (20232023) Results:

    • Reflection Task: Review at least one "trend" graph from each section of the survey.
    • Analysis Questions: Why might different groups respond in such a manner? What can we learn from this sort of effort? What limits exist for this sort of effort?

  • Application in Federal Government Course:

    • Reflection: Why are we talking about ideology and opinion in a Federal Government class? It informs our understanding of how ideologies, opinions, parties, and voting all come together to influence the federal system.