ideology/ barbour & wright chap. 1

IdeologyB a r b o u r & W r i g h t

C h a p t e r 1

Monday, February 2, 2009

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


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.”


Political Values

Individualism

Fair processes

Democracy

Freedom

Equality


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?


Ideology Continuum

Simplest way of demonstrating American ideology

LiberalOften associated with Democratic

Party

ConservativeOften associated with Republican

Party

Moderate/Independent


Red-State/Blue-State


Purple States


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


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: ______


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: ______


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: ______


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: ______


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)


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


More on Ideology

Pew Research Center on People and the Press

http://typology.people-press.org/typology/




ideology/ barbour & wright chap. 1

News & Politics

consumer goods

monday

axis score

higher prices

social moral monday

private businesses

government control

monday