Unit 5 Political Beliefs Behavior Lecture Discussion 1

Unit 5: Political Beliefs & Behavior Lecture & Discussion 1: Political Ideology & Socialization

Do Now Respond to the prompt. 1. Based on your understanding of the terms, would you characterize yourself as being “liberal” or “conservative? ” Provide three examples to support your answer.

Political Dictionary Record the following terms. • political ideology • political spectrum • radical • liberal • moderate • conservative • reactionary • political socialization

Essential Question Consider the following focus question and write a response when the lesson is complete. What is your political ideology? How did you develop your political ideas, beliefs & perspectives?

Introduction Read the excerpt from the text “Philosophical Differences” and respond to the prompt. 1. Compare liberal and conservative philosophies regarding the following matters: • Human Nature • Tradition & Reform • Authority & Individual Freedom

Introduction Read the excerpt from the text “Philosophical Differences” and respond to the prompt. Human Nature Liberals: • optimism • people are born ignorant, but good • they can be improved through education and knowledge Conservatives: • pessimism • people are tainted by original sin • they are fundamentally flawed

Introduction Read the excerpt from the text “Philosophical Differences” and respond to the prompt. Tradition & Reform Liberals: • look to the future • open to change • impatient for improvement Conservatives: • confidence in the past • prefer the status quo • fear rapid change may bring negative results

Introduction Read the excerpt from the text “Philosophical Differences” and respond to the prompt. Authority & Individual Freedom Liberals: • expect people to act correctly • allow them greater amount of liberty • prefer constitutional government (e. g. direct democracy) Conservatives: • lower opinion of people’s behavior • they must be controlled • prefer traditional government (OK w/indirect democracy)

Reading Notes Record the definitions for the following terms. 1. What is a political ideology? A political ideology is a coherent set of views on politics and the role of government 2. Define political spectrum. The political spectrum is a concept that models political beliefs as a continuum

Reading Notes Follow the prompt. 3. Draw and label the political spectrum.

Activity Directions: Complete the Political Position Profile Quiz. Email me if you have questions. 1) Answer questions 1 -30 2) If you are not familiar with an individual, program or policy, search the Internet 3) Score your quiz using the evaluation rubric 4) Calculate your points 5) Place an “X” on the political spectrum in your guided notes based on the point system below Political Spectrum 40 30 20 10 0

Reading Notes Follow the prompt. 4. Compare liberal or “left” beliefs versus conservative or “right” beliefs in the table (NOTE: understand these are tendencies!). Liberal (“Left”) Conservative (“Right”)

Beliefs of the “Left” vs. “Right” Liberal Conservative man is good and can be trusted to do right thing optimistic about future and open to change emphasis on individual rights and freedoms recognize experimental values and believe morality is an individual matter man is flawed and must be controlled pessimistic about future and prefer status quo emphasis on maintaining law and order practice traditional values and believe government should legislate morality society owes all people a decent living society owes all people an opportunity to prosper

Beliefs of the “Left” vs. “Right” Liberal Conservative government should ensure equality (Keynesian theory) excellence should not be sacrificed (laissez-faire) prefer “Big Government” and providing safety nets regulate “Big Business” to protect working class prefer “Small Government” and no welfare promote “Big Business” to promote capitalism protect the environment promote economic growth and development maintain strong military to protect national security reduce defense spending and focus on social woes

Reading Notes Watch the video “Political Socialization” and respond to the prompts. https: //www. khanacademy. org/humanities/ap-usgovernment-and-politics/american-political-beliefs-andbehaviors/political-socialization/v/political-socialization

Reading Notes Watch the video “Political Socialization” and respond to the prompts. 5. Define political socialization? Political socialization is the process by which people form their political attitudes and beliefs.

Reading Notes Watch the video “Political Socialization” and respond to the prompts.

Reading Notes Watch the video “Political Socialization” and respond to the prompts. 6. Compare the factors that tend to influence liberal versus conservative beliefs in the table. Factors Gender Race Age Religion Liberal Conservative

Political Socialization Factors Liberal Conservative Gender females Race “people of color” (Latinos, Blacks) Caucasians (Asians) Age 18 -29 30+ Religion secular (Jews, Catholics) religious (Protestants)

Political Socialization Factors Liberal Conservative Education college-educated high school diploma Occupation “blue-collar” “white-collar” Income low/middle-income (X ≤ $118, 000) high-income ($118, 000 ≤ X) Region West, Northeast (coastal, urban) South & Midwest (rural)

Processing Write a paragraph that states your political ideology and provides an explanation of the process by which you developed your political attitudes and beliefs. In others words, identify and explain two to three factors that influenced your perspectives on politics and the role of government.