IdeologyB a r b o u r & W r i g h t
C h a p t e r 1
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Political Culture
Refers to the shared values or beliefs about the nature of the political world
Gives us a common language to use to discuss or debate
Ideals or principles that most agree are important even if they disagree on a precise definition
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Political Culture“Political culture is handed down from generation to generation, through families, schools, communities, literature, churches and synagogues, and so on, helping to provide stability for the nation by ensuring that a majority of citizens are well grounded in and committed to the basic values that sustain it.”
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Political Values
Individualism
Fair processes
Democracy
Freedom
Equality
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Ideologies
The sets of beliefs and opinions about politics, the economy, and society that help people make sense of their world
Points of view that divide people into opposing political camps
In U.S. range of debate is fairly narrow
How are ideologies formed?
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Ideology Continuum
Simplest way of demonstrating American ideology
LiberalOften associated with Democratic
Party
ConservativeOften associated with Republican
Party
Moderate/Independent
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Red-State/Blue-State
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Purple States
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X+Y ideology GridLess government
control of social/moral
More government control of social/moral
More government control of economy
Less government control of economy
Ex. Libertarians
Ex. Religious Right
Ex. Populists & Communitarians
Ex. Liberals
Most Americans
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Policy Preferences QuestionnaireIndicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement (0=strongly disagree, 4=strongly agree). When you finish each group, total the five numbers that you have written in the far right-hand column. ___________________________________________________________________________________________Group AA1. Wages should be determined by the free market and not governmental standards like a minimum wage (even ifthat means low wages). Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
A2. Trade restrictions should be lifted on imports to reduce prices even if that means lower profits for American businesses.
Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
A3. U.S. businesses should be allowed to provide jobs to employees in foreign countries even if that means Americans losing their jobs. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
A4. Price supports on farm products should be eliminated even if that leads to farmers going out of business. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
A Total: ______
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Group BB1. Owners of private businesses, larger than a convenience store, should be required to pay for most of the health insurance costs of their employees even if that reduces business profits. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
B2. Government should be active in setting health and safety standards for consumer products produced by private businesses even if that leads to higher prices for consumers. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
B3. The minimum hourly wage should be increased by a significant percentage even if that leads to increased prices for consumer goods. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
B4. Stricter environmental regulations should be enacted to prevent air, land, and water pollution created by businesses even if that leads to higher prices for consumer goods. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
B Total: ______
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Group CC1. Sexual activities between consenting adults (regardless of gender) should be legal. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
C2. Marijuana should be made legal for adults over the age of 21 subject to regulations such as no driving under the influence. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
C3. People who have terminal diseases should have the right to end their own lives with the assistance of doctors. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
C4. Television should be free from government regulation when it comes to language, nudity, etc. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
C Total: ______
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Group DD1. All students attending public K-12 should be subject to spanking or paddling by school authorities when they violate school rules. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
D2. Non-religious or religious alcohol use should be illegal. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
D3. If a married person engages in sex with somebody other than their spouse both persons should be subjected to punishment by the state. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
D4. Communities should have the right to keep local businesses from selling Playboy and Penthouse magazines. Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Disagree Agree 0-------------1-------------2----------3----------4 ______
D Total: ______
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Ideology Quiz Scoring
Subtract your total on section B from your total on section A
A-B = x-axis score (horizontal)
Subtract your total on section D from your total on section C
C-D = y-axis score (vertical)
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Less government control of social/moral
More government control of social/moral
More government control of economy
Less government control of economy
Libertarian
Social Conservative
Populist
Liberal
-16 -80
8 16
-16
-8
8
16
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More on Ideology
Pew Research Center on People and the Press
http://typology.people-press.org/typology/
Monday, February 2, 2009
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