VII. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

• 1. DEFINITION:• The process by which individuals

learn their political beliefs and attitudes. • How we pass on our political beliefs

and traditions to the younger generation.

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

• What factors influence or shape the development of our political ideology (beliefs)?

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

• Factors that shape our developing Political Ideology:

• FAMILY• RELIGION• FRIENDS / PEERS• COMMUNITY• EDUCATION / SCHOOLS • MASS MEDIA = TV, INTERNET, RADIO, PRINT• RACE AND ETHNICITY

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

• Which factor has the strongest effect on the development of a person’s political ideology?

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

• FAMILY – This is who we spend the most time with from our younger days so they have the strongest effect.• A high majority of people join the

same political party as their parents

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

• 1. What is it?• A basic set of beliefs and values

that people hold about government and public policy (what government should be doing)

POLITICAL SPECTRUM

• OLD SCHOOL VERSION

• Radical Moderate Reactionary

---------------------------------------------------------- Liberal Conservative

POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION

POLITICAL SPECTRUM

• The straight line is not an accurate method of referencing the wide array of ideologies that people have about government.

RADICAL

• A person who wants extreme measures to create an entirely new system • EX: Earth First / Anarchists / • Communists

REACTIONARY

• One who favors a reverse movement in direction. Take America back to when things were better.• EX: Militia Groups / Pro-

Choice Groups / the KKK

MODERATES

• One whose political beliefs fall in between liberals and conservatives. They are liberal on some issues and conservative on other issues.

• Most Americans are moderates• EX: Arnold Schwarzenegger – Married to the

Liberal Kennedy’s and pro-choice but a Republican who is anti-tax

LIBERALS

• Someone in favor of reform or change for the better• One who favors national

government involvement in the economy and social progress

LIBERALS

• National Gov’t is the solver of problems • Favors social change• Protect individual freedoms and choice• Loose interpretation of Constitution to expand

rights • Pro: Choice / Affirmative Action /

Government Regulation of Business / Unions and workers’ rights / Protect world peace

LIBERALS

• GENERALLY BELONG TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

•

LIBERALS

LIBERALS

CONSERVATIVE

• Someone who is resistant to change or inclined to traditional views

• Believe in status quo and not in social change• Believe in a limited role for govt in society and

in individual responsibility• One who favors more of a role for state

governments than the national government

CONSERVATIVES

• STATES RIGHTS • Strict interpretation of the Constitution• Pro = Life / guns / religion / business /

American Military strength / • Anti = Abortion / Same Sex Marriage /

Regulation of business / taxes / Affirmative Action

CONSERVATIVES

• Generally belong to the Republican party / the GOP

CONSERVATIVES

CONSERVATIVES

CONSERVATIVES

LIBERTARIANS

• One who is conservative on economic matters (no taxes and no regulations) and liberal on social issues (legalize drugs and same sex marriage)

• Believe in a small, weak, government

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY

1. There are too many government regulations protecting the environment which hampers business and cuts the number of jobs.

2. Raise taxes on the wealthy3. Repeal the federal income tax 4. Increase welfare spending to provide more job

training and support5. Put limits on long someone can collect welfare

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY

• 6. School prayer should be allowed• 7. Flag burning is objectionable but protected

speech• 8. Protect union rights to bargain for their

working conditions (Say hello to Wisconsin)• 9. Save endangered animals• 10. Do not regulate greenhouse gases

NAME THAT IDEOLOGY

• 11. Affirmative Action helps groups that have a history of discrimination and disadvantage

• 12. Affirmative Action is reverse discrimination• 13. Spend more money on drug treatment and

rehab than jails• 14. The death penalty is appropriate for serious,

violent crimes• 15. Drugs are a personal choice and should not

be controlled by the government.