Political Ideologies and Public Policy Notes

Political Ideologies and Public Policy

Topic 4.7: Ideologies of Political Policy

• Major parties in the U.S.:
  • Democratic Party (D or DEM): Aligns with liberal ideologies, advocating for governmental intervention in social and economic issues.
  • Republican Party (R or GOP): Aligns with conservative ideologies, advocating for less government intervention.
• Political ideologies impact policy debates and choices in American policy.

Political Ideology: Definition

• A cohesive set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and government roles that influence individual perspectives.
• Identification as a conservative or liberal can vary based on age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

Historical Context of Political Ideologies

• Nineteenth Century:
  • Liberalism was associated with laissez-faire principles.
  • Conservativism trusted traditional institutions (monarchy, church).
• Twentieth Century - 21st Century:
  • Liberals: Support federal regulation for societal benefit and oppose restrictions on personal freedoms.
  • Conservatives: Advocate for minimal federal intervention and prefer states' authority.
  • Libertarians: Emphasize individual freedom with limited government intervention on both economic and social issues.

Liberal Ideology (Democrats)

• Cardinal Attributes of Liberal Ideology:
  1. Favor larger government for justice and equality.
  2. Protect individual rights and liberties.
  3. Emphasis on human rights in foreign aid.
  4. Prioritize social safety nets over military spending.
  5. Support higher taxes on the wealthy to promote equality.
  6. Corporations seen as threats to liberty.
  7. Promote a social safety net for vulnerable populations.
• Criticisms:
  • Over-reliance on government solutions.
  • Bureaucracy limits personal autonomy.
  • Perceived self-interest of conservatives versus the concern for disenfranchised by liberals.

Conservative Ideology (Republicans)

• Cardinal Attributes of Conservative Ideology:
  1. Strong belief in private property and free enterprise.
  2. Advocacy for a small government, especially outside of national defense.
  3. Promote order and moderation in change.
  4. Support low taxes across the board.
  5. Traditional views on social issues (e.g., pro-life on abortion).
  6. Emphasis on personal and family responsibilities for welfare.
• Criticisms:
  • Selective opposition to government intervention.
  • Often overlooks social issues affecting the vulnerable.

Key Issues Positions: Liberals vs. Conservatives

Libertarianism

• Advocates for maximum individual liberty, with minimal government interference.
• Opposes all forms of government regulation, supporting only protection of property rights and contracts.

The Political Spectrum

• Representation of ideologies ranges from extreme left (anarchy, communism) to extreme right (fascism, monarchy).
• Most Americans identify as moderates, with varying views from liberal to conservative.

Ideological Spectrum

• Liberal (left-wing): Prioritizes individual freedom and soci-economic equality.
• Conservative (right-wing): Retains traditional institutions; values small government and low taxes.
• Moderate: Balances liberal and conservative views.

Ideologies and Policy making

• U.S. democracy reflects citizen values in policy formation.
• Ideologies shape the balance between liberty and government order and stability.

Economic Policy: Impact of Ideologies

• Liberal Ideologies: Favor greater regulation of the marketplace.
• Conservative Ideologies: Advocate for less regulation.
• Libertarian Ideologies: Demand minimal regulation.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy

• Fiscal Policy: Actions by Congress and the President to influence economic conditions (e.g., Keynesian, supply-side).
• Monetary Policy: Controlled by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to manage interest rates for economic stability.

Budget Process Overview

• The President submits the federal budget, reflecting priorities while Congress has the authority to tax and spend.
• Balance of power dynamics affects budgetary politics.

Types of Spending

1. Mandatory Spending: Expands automatically without annual congressional approval, includes entitlements like Social Security, Medicare.
2. Discretionary Spending: Requires annual authorization and covers various federal programs.

Challenges in Economic Policy

• Historical events like the Great Depression necessitated increased government regulation and spending.
• Debate between Keynesian (demand-side) and supply-side economics reflects differing economic theories.

Key Economic Indicators

• Deficits and debts: Raised issues around fiscal responsibility and the potential need for a Balanced Budget Amendment.

Conclusion: Policy Trend Reflections

• Policies on economic and social issues evolve with the political climate's ideological shifts.
• Critical examinations of ideologies indicate overlaps (e.g., fiscal conservatives with social liberals).

Essential Questions for Review

• List key attributes of liberal and conservative ideologies.
• Explain the role of political ideology in shaping public policy regarding economic and social issues.