Political Ideology

Liberals, Conservatives, and the “in-between”

Opinion Formation

From where do influences on your opinion come?

Opinions on...

school fundinggun control

gay marriagedeath penalty

flag desecrationdiscrimination

fiscal disciplineAND MANY OTHERS!

What issues are important to you?

Questions for you...

On a scale, respond to the following:

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5

1. Representative democracy works well; it's the best form of government.

Questions....

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 2. Government affects my everyday life, so I need to stay informed.

Questions...

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 3. Most elected officials are everyday people who commit themselves to public service.

Questions...

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 4. People disagree on most issues except at a general level, and legislators must resolve the clash of values and interests.

Questions....

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 5. Legislators care what people in their districts think and try to reflect those opinions in their decisions.

Questions...

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 6. The number and diversity of special interest groups ensure that all sides of an issue are heard.

Questions...

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 7. Debate, disagreement and compromise are a natural part of the legislative process.

Questions...last one...

strongly agree =1agree=2neutral=3disagree=4strongly disagree=5 8. The basis of representative democracy is public involvement and participation.

Results!

Add your points together.

If your total adds up to:8-13--you appreciate and are trustful of representative democracy14-20--You have a few questions, but mostly feel the system works for you.21-27--You lack confidence that elected officials act in your best interest28-34--Your trust in representative democracy  seems shaken35-40--You have difficulty trusting our system of representative democracy.source: Your Ideas Count! Representative Democracy and You from the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2003

Our opinions group us into a philosophy

Political philosophies are on a spectrum.

Most people say "left" or "right" Liberal or Conservative

What does a liberal, conservative, moderate or other

believe?

Liberals

• Government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens.

• Call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system.

• Reject violent revolution as a way of changing the way things are

Conservatives

• Favor keeping things the way they are, or maintaining the status quo

• Usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism.

• They feel that the less government there is, the better.

Political Parties

• Political parties are loosely formed around these broad political ideologies.

Political Parties

DEMOCRATS

generally seen as liberal because they support government

regulation of the economy

REPUBLICANS

generally seen as conservative because

they advocate a reduction in government

Political Parties

• Within parties, there are people who hold a variety of opinions on social and economic issues that fall along the spectrum of political ideologies

• Examples are liberal Democrats, moderate Democrats, moderate Republicans, and conservative Republicans

Current IssuesLEFT

• Pro Gun Control• Pro-Choice (Abortion)• No Censorship• Prisons should

Rehabilitate• Pro-Privacy• Equal Funding for

Education• Democratic Party

Platform

RIGHT• Anti-Gun Control• Pro-Life (Abortion)• Anti-Flag Burning• Prisons Should Punish• Prayer in Schools• School Vouchers• Republican Party

Platform

LEFT• Taxes are acceptable. • It is important for the

government to have revenue to fund programs, whichbenefit society.

• Graduated taxes are preferred over flat rate taxes.

• It is only fair that the rich should pay more than those who are less fortunate.

RIGHT• Taxes are seen as

infringements on personal freedom.

• Taxes intervene with the free market system.

• Taxes penalize those who are successful.

• Taxes should not punish profit.

• Prefers a flat rate and/or consumption tax.

Political Rights

LEFT• The left side is passionate about

extending civil rights to minority groups:students, prisoners, homosexuals and the poor.

• Tolerant of those not in the status quo.

• Seeks to protect individual rights: free speech, pro-choice, anti-capitalpunishment, and privacy.

RIGHT• The power of the central

government should be diminished.

• Most issues are best dealt with on the state and local level.

• Preferred values (family, faith, patriotism and love of family) and beliefs are seen as originating in the past and are rooted in Christian traditions and practices.

• Is acceptable to censor obscure ideas which unnecessarily shake up the status quo.

Distribution of WealthLEFT

• The disparity between the rich and poor is not acceptable. Taxes represent amechanism to equally distribute wealth.

• The government should be involved in providing more equal opportunities inareas of education, health care, childcare, and aid to the elderly.

• Government funding of public projects (pump priming) will stimulate the economyand help the common man.

RIGHT• Business has right to make as much

profit as they possibly can. • Profits represent an incentive to work

hard. It is reward for hard work and should not be punished by taxing it.

• The disparity between the rich and the poor is explained in part by the economic choices people make.

• Some people choose to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, and business executives. Others choose less profitable careers. Income disparity is a result of poor choices.

• Those who are prosperous should not be penalized by being forced to help those who have made poor decisions.

Foreign PolicyLEFT

• The government should be primarily focused on spreading democracy andprotecting human rights in the world

• Strong support for the united nations.

RIGHT• The governments

primary role is to protect u.s. business and economic interestsin foreign countries.

• Our country needs to be in order before we look elsewhere.

• Supports tariffs.

GovernmentLEFT

• The government should serve as the equalizers in society and establishes a basic standard of living, a minimum wage is an acceptable tool of government intervention.

• The left is accepts government control and regulation of business, and an active government that protects political rights.

RIGHT• Government should be

downsized.

• Large governments, both federal and state, have the power to control businessinterests and therefore potentially infringe on the freedoms of individuals.

• Government programs tend to provide unnecessary services that go beyond thescope of the constitution.