Download Political Socialization and Political Ideologies

Political Socialization and
Political Ideologies
Political Socialization
• Many individuals identify themselves as
either conservatives or liberals without
understanding what these terms mean
• This is inherently irrational
• Where do these ideologies come from?
– Similar to allegiance to a sports team
Where Do the Political Beliefs
Come From?
• Socializing agents
– Family
– School
– Peer groups and associations
– Media
– Focusing events
One-Dimensional Model
• Simple left-right scale, where left = liberal,
and right = conservative
Liberal (Left) <----- Moderate -----> Conservative (Right)
More Appropriate Model
• Two-dimensional model
– Social dimension
– Economic dimension
• No longer only two possible locations
– Many different ideologies can be placed in a
more nuanced model
World’s Smallest Political Quiz
• Personal Issues
– Military service should be voluntary (No Draft)
– Government should not control radio, TV, the
press or the Internet
– Repeal regulations on sex for consenting
adults
– Drug laws do more harm than good. Repeal
them
– People should be free to come and go across
borders; to live and work where they choose
World’s Smallest Political Quiz
• Economic Issues
– Businesses and farms should operate without
govt. subsidies
– People are better off with free trade than with
tariffs
– Minimum wage laws cause unemployment.
Repeal them
– End taxes. Pay for services with user fees
– All foreign aid should be privately funded
What Roles Do Ideologies Play?
• Structure policy preferences
• Govern how we perceive the political world
Conservatism
• Believes in a minimal role of government
– Both in terms of social and economic issues
• Believes in individual freedom and the
protection of these freedoms at all costs
• Believes in equal opportunity for all
• Smaller national government & stronger
state government
• Liberty over equality?
Liberalism
• Believes in a government with a large role
– Both in terms of social and economic issues
– This typically includes, but is not bound to,
support of: income redistribution, social
legislation
• Results should be equal for all
• Equality over liberty?
Libertarianism
• Government involvement in social and
economic aspects of life should be
minimal
– Economic and social self-governance
• As long as actions do not harm others,
they should be legal
– Laws restricting behavior of individuals should
be eliminated
Socialism
• Belief that everyone should own and
control the means of production.
• Production to satisfy human needs, not, as
under capitalism, for sale and profit
• Socialism in America?
– Expanded role of national government
– Nationalization of certain industries
– Nationalized welfare, health care, and
redistribution of wealth
Communism
• A social and economic system in which all
(or nearly all) property is public, not private
– Resources are shared by everyone
• Complete government involvement and
regulation of the economy
– Redistribution of wealth is a key. The
government owns, runs, and controls all
business