Political IdeologyCurrent Issues - Libertyville HS

American Political Philosophy

Americans tend to talk about Rs and Ds

I prefer to talk about liberals and conservatives – why? L & C are broader

ideas Not all Rs are C; not

all Ds are L R, D label has a lot of

historical, psychological baggage

Liberal Perspective at 30,000 Feet

Preservation of individual liberty Ability to lead life how

you choose, regardless of what that means to the individual in question

Neutrality in judging the actions of others

Equality of all groups before the law

Liberals differ in how they balance these three ideas

Idealist

Conservative View at 30,000 Feet

Dependence upon traditions, institutions that have evolved over time (stability, continuity)

Resistance to rapid or dramatic societal change

Suspicion / distrust of government activism (“big government”)

Realists

The Political Spectrum

Aid to understand political parties, policies

Diagonal line horizontal line

representing 0-100% individual freedom

Vertical line representing 0-100% governmental power

Center = “moderate”

The Political Spectrum

According to this model, here is how familiar political labels would be applied

Lets look at how traditional left and right ideologies would view particular issues

Assessing Political Ideology

Issue 1: Role of national government in domestic affairs Liberals? Conservatives?

Examples Motorcycle helmet

laws Gun control Regulation of

business

Assessing Political Ideology

Issue 2: Balance between employers (business) and employees (unions) Liberals favor . . . Conservatives

favor . . . Examples

Minimum wage Seniority rules in

workplace

Assessing Political Ideology

Issue 3: Law and order (rights of victims of crime vs. rights of the accused) Liberals favor . . . Conservatives favor . . .

Examples Rape shield law Mandatory sentencing

laws

Assessing Political Ideology

Issue 4: Morals (religious vs. non-religious) Liberals favor . . . Conservatives favor . .

. Example

Prayer / moment of silence in school

Assessing Political Ideology

Issue 5: foreign policy (unilateral action vs. multilateral action) Liberals favor . . . Conservatives

favor . . . Examples

Intervention in foreign countries of vital American interest

United Nations idea of “collective security”