IdeologyIdeology

A set of beliefsA set of beliefs

Might be political, religious Might be political, religious or anything else or anything else that someone might have a that someone might have a set of opinions onset of opinions on

““Right” vs. “Left”Right” vs. “Left”

Where did this description come Where did this description come from?from?

French Revolution StoryFrench Revolution Story Which is Liberal and which is Which is Liberal and which is

Conservative?Conservative? Left is Liberal and Right is Left is Liberal and Right is

ConservativeConservative

Ideology and Political Ideology and Political PartiesParties

Which party is Liberal and which is Which party is Liberal and which is Conservative?Conservative?

Right is Republican and Left is Right is Republican and Left is DemocratDemocrat

Parties change ideology over timeParties change ideology over time Ex. the Republican Party (G.O.P.) used Ex. the Republican Party (G.O.P.) used

to be more liberal (Abraham Lincoln).to be more liberal (Abraham Lincoln).

What Do Political Ideologies What Do Political Ideologies Disagree On?Disagree On?

The Three big QuestionsThe Three big Questions

There is no “right” and There is no “right” and “wrong”, there is only a “wrong”, there is only a difference of personal difference of personal valuesvalues

Question #1Question #1

Are all people equal?Are all people equal? Very philosophicalVery philosophical Depends on definition of Depends on definition of

equalityequality What is your viewpoint?What is your viewpoint?

Ideological ViewsIdeological Views

Conservative Viewpoint: People are Conservative Viewpoint: People are all different and, therefore, not equal all different and, therefore, not equal but all should have equal opportunitybut all should have equal opportunity

Liberal Viewpoint: We are all human Liberal Viewpoint: We are all human beings and, therefore, we are beings and, therefore, we are basically equal and should have basically equal and should have some equality of condition.some equality of condition.

Question #2Question #2

Should government be big and Should government be big and active in our lives to promote active in our lives to promote equality?equality?

Liberals say yesLiberals say yes Conservatives say noConservatives say no How does govt. do this?How does govt. do this?

Programs for the PoorPrograms for the Poor

““Welfare” ProgramsWelfare” Programs MedicaidMedicaid Minimum WageMinimum Wage Unemployment InsuranceUnemployment Insurance Are these good?Are these good?

Programs for the Elderly Programs for the Elderly

MedicareMedicare

Assisted LivingAssisted Living

Social SecuritySocial Security

Are these good?Are these good?

Programs for MinoritiesPrograms for Minorities

Affirmative Action: Government Affirmative Action: Government programs that give additional programs that give additional consideration to minorities when consideration to minorities when hiring or admitting into state colleges hiring or admitting into state colleges and universities.and universities.

Desegregation: Mixing whites and Desegregation: Mixing whites and minorities in public schools to ensure minorities in public schools to ensure an equal educationan equal education

Are these good?Are these good?

Question #3Question #3

Is Change Good?Is Change Good? The previously mentioned programs The previously mentioned programs

were all major changes.were all major changes. Conservatives, by definition, tend to Conservatives, by definition, tend to

resist change, especially if it is a govt. resist change, especially if it is a govt. program.program.

Liberals tend to welcome change, Liberals tend to welcome change, particularly if it is brought about by the particularly if it is brought about by the government to expand “equality.”government to expand “equality.”

Social and Moral Change Social and Moral Change Issues Issues

Abortion Abortion Gay Rights Gay Rights Capital PunishmentCapital Punishment Gun ControlGun Control Medical MarijuanaMedical Marijuana Right to DieRight to Die

The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum

There are few purely liberal or purely There are few purely liberal or purely conservative peopleconservative people

Each issue has an infinite spectrum Each issue has an infinite spectrum of beliefs and each ideology has an of beliefs and each ideology has an infinite spectrum of beliefsinfinite spectrum of beliefs

I call it “walking the wall”.I call it “walking the wall”. Example: Gay RightsExample: Gay Rights

Homework Homework (about 1000 words)(about 1000 words)

Considering the three major questions Considering the three major questions and the issues discussed, would you and the issues discussed, would you say that your are primarily say that your are primarily conservative or liberal? Why?conservative or liberal? Why?

Your ideology will likely change as you Your ideology will likely change as you get older and no one wants to label get older and no one wants to label you but it’s time to face the issues so you but it’s time to face the issues so get off the fence and form an opinionget off the fence and form an opinion