LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY FOCUS LESSON WHAT DO

LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE IDEOLOGY FOCUS LESSON

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU HEAR… • • Liberal Conservative Democrat Republican National healthcare Gun ownership Gay marriage Death penalty

PIECE IT ALL TOGETHER • Liberal and conservative are different kinds of ideologies • An ideology is set of beliefs and viewpoints on different issues • There are many different issues that people have viewpoints on • Policy (laws and guidelines) are made by our government based on the ideology of our people and politicians

LIBERAL VS. CONSERVATIVE • To understand the differences, we need to put issues into 2 different categories • Social issues – issues that involve the way people’s values and the way they live • Same sex marriage • Environmental protection • Death penalty • Abortion • Gun control • Religion

• Economic issues – issues that effect how government should distribute its resources ($) • National health care • Entitlement spending –social security, Medicare/Medicaid • Taxing businesses/Taxing individuals • Military spending • Minimum wages • Equality between poor and rich

WHO’S FOR WHAT? • Liberal view on social issues • Equal treatment of all individuals • Challenge traditional beliefs • Freedom to make personal decisions • Conservative view on social issues • Policies should reflect traditional values • Religious values are stressed • Government should regulate behavior to maintain order and values

WHO’S FOR WHAT? • Liberal view on economic issues • “Big Government” • Government is responsible for taking care of economic problems • Role of government is to fix the gap between the rich and poor • More government regulations on business • Conservative view on economic issues • “Small Government” • People are responsible for themselves • Role of government is to let businesses do their thing • Less government regulations on business

WHAT IDEOLOGY IS THIS? • Government should take action to make sure that everyone is equal and have equal opportunities • Government should address problems with social and economic problems in society • Guarantee that no one is in need • Protect civil liberties and human rights • Source: studentnewsdaily. com

WHAT IDEOLOGY IS THIS? • People are responsible for taking care of themselves • Government should allow people and businesses to be free to pursue their economic goals • Traditional social values, rooted in religion Source: studentnewsdaily. com

GUIDED PRACTICE 1. Draw a line down the middle of your 2 notecards, on the front and back 2. At the top of each, write the issue that you think is being featured on each slide 3. Also, identify if it is a social or economic issue 4. Finally, write liberal on the side of the notecard that shows a liberal point of view – write conservative on the side that shows a conservative point of view

LIBERAL? CONSERVATIVE? SOCIAL? ECONOMIC? http: //www. traditioninaction. org/Hot. Topics/HTimages_g-k/J 035_rally. jpg http: //www. revolutionary-war-and-beyond. com/image-files/gun-controlprotest. jpg

LIBERAL? CONSERVATIVE? SOCIAL? ECONOMIC? http: //www. statebillnews. com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/pelosiprotest_small. jpg http: //3. bp. blogspot. com/_QF 5 QPP 17 j. Rc/SFqhj. DZKlv. I/AAAAAEw/SYj. YYg vx-3 E/s 400/health+protest+06. jpg

LIBERAL? CONSERVATIVE? SOCIAL? ECONOMIC? http: //image. shutterstock. com/display_pic_with_logo/311023, 124532508 8, 3/stock-photo-protest-sign-against-more-taxes-and-bigger-government 32278534. jpg http: //www. thegatewaypundit. com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tax-rich-stl. jpg

TAXES PAID BY INCOME LEVEL TOP 5% PAY OVER 50% OF ALL TAXES http: //visualecon. wpengine. netdna-cdn. com/wp-content/uploads/Income. Distribution. Master 1650 x 436. png

LIBERAL? CONSERVATIVE? SOCIAL? ECONOMIC? http: //blog. masslive. com/localbuzz_impact/2008/11/cantbelieve. JPG http: //www. urbanchristiannews. com/ucn/anti-gay-marriage-PROTESTS-newyork. jpg

NEXT STEP…COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE • Choose 3 social issues and 3 economic issues from the chart at http: //www. studentnewsdaily. com/other/conservative-vsliberal-beliefs/ • Summarize BOTH the liberal AND conservative viewpoints for each issue by discussing with your partner • Put each viewpoint in your own words in no more than 2 sentences • Place an “x” next to the view point that you agree more with

NEXT STEP…SELF DIRECTED PERFORMANCE • Access www. ontheissues. org and read through the information on the different social and economic issues • Using your results as a guide, choose 3 social issues and 3 economic issues that you would focus on if you were to run for president • Explain your stance on each of these issues in an electronic presentation

PRESENTATION COMPONENTS • Slide 1 – Your picture, your name and the political party that you align with based on your ideology • Slide 2 – 3 social issues that you feel strongly about, along with a clear explanation of your viewpoints • Slide 3 - 3 economic issues that you feel strongly about, along with a clear explanation of your viewpoints • Slide 4 - Choose a candidate that most fits your ideology. You can access that information at www. ontheissues. org. Compare and contrast your candidate’s views to your own views.