POLITICAL IDEOLOGY Political Ideology Coherent belief systemphilosophy about

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Political Ideology Coherent belief system/philosophy about: politics role of government Especially public concerned with balance between: sector private sector Identity Most Americans self-identify as: Conservative, moderate, or liberal (few socialists or fascists)

What Is “Liberalism? ” “Classic liberalism” 18 th-19 th century referred to those who supported a limited system of selfgovernment based on the principle of individual liberty John Locke, T. Jefferson Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights Both modern American liberalism and modern conservatism have roots in classic liberalism

Modern Liberalism Progressive Promotes era saw the emergence of modern liberalism regulation of capitalism Government has a positive role to play Creates: equal opportunities Addresses racial, ethnic, and gender inequalities Associated See with FDR, ML King, NY Times editorial pages, Progressive, The Nation

What is “Conservatism? ” Favors limited government and private property rights. Emphasis on law and order Family traditional gender roles Religion free market economics individualism

Conservatism Continued Fear that US has become Secular Permissive Lacking in personal responsibility Over-regulated. Examples: Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump? See Wall Street Journal editorial page, National Review, Commentary Magazine

Psychological Differences Conservatives (tend to be/have) more. . . active amygdalas—a brain structure responsible for fear response squeamish about impure things (germs, vomit, feces) methodical in problem solving iberals more likely to rely upon “aha” moments requiring new insights. emphasis liberals on self control and honor on optimism and compassion

Different Views of Authority Strict Father Nurturing Parent

What About Bernie Sanders?

“Democratic Socialism” Views most Democrats and Republicans as beholden to moneyed interests (Wall Street, big donors, major corporations) Socialism by democratic means (winning elections) not by revolution Political agenda Scandinavian-style welfare state with high taxes and universal government services (paid maternity and paternity leave, guaranteed minimum income, universal health care, free university education) See Mother Jones Magazine

Where Would You Place Yourself Ideologically?

Americans Ideologically More Conservative

But Programmatically More Liberal

Few Americans Are Consistent

Partisan Polarization Defined as the increasing ideological division between Democrats and Republicans “Ideological sorting by party” public at large isn’t much more divided than in the past Conservative Southern wing of the Democratic party has shifted over to Republican party Conservative Republicans are purging “RINOs” from party

Ideological Polarization?

Ideological Sorting In Congress

Residential Sorting People increasingly moving to communities with like-minded neighbors Blue vs. red America; urban vs. rural America

Other Ideologies--Libertarianism Support: unrestrained individual liberty property much rights more limited government. tax cuts reductions in regulations expansion of markets reductions in US military

Other Ideologies—The “Alt Right” Reject establishment conservatives as sell outs Attack calls for multiculturalism, political correctness, and social justice White identity movement, calling for defense of western civilization, myth of “white genocide. ” Anti-immigrant Connections and anti-Muslim with KKK and anti-semitic movement

Review Ideology refers to a coherent belief system concerning politics. Most Americans are on the liberal-conservative spectrum, which has its roots in classic liberalism Most Americans hold ideologically inconsistent attitudes. It’s mostly elites who think about politics ideologically American politics has become more ideologically polarized as conservatives have moved out of the Democratic party and liberals out of the Republican party Other American political ideologies include democratic socialism, libertarianism, and the alt-right.