What is the most common U.S. political ideology?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Critical Analysis
What is the most common political party ideology in America?
Describe a trend you see in the data above.
How do you explain that trend?
A political ideology is a belief system that explains and justifies a preferred economic and governmental order for society, offers strategies for its maintenance or attainment and helps give meaning to public events, personalities and policies. How would you describe your political ideology: very conservative, conservative, moderate, liberal, or very liberal?
What do you think was most responsible for forming your political ideology?
Conservatives tend to believe that government should be small, operating mainly at the state or local level. They favor minimal government interference in the economy and prefer private sector-based solutions to problems. “Social conservatives” believe that government should uphold traditional morality, and therefore should impose restrictions on contraception, abortion, and same-sex marriage. Conservatives are said to fall on the “right wing” of the axis of political beliefs, a convention that dates from the place where conservatives sat in assembly during the French Revolution. What is one current policy position supported by conservatives?
The definition of liberalism has changed over time, but modern-day liberals tend to believe that government should intervene in the economy and provide a broad range of social services to ensure well-being and equality across society. Liberals usually believe that the government should not regulate private sexual or social behaviors. They are said to fall on the “left wing” of the axis of political beliefs, a convention that dates from the place where supporters of the revolution sat in assembly during the French Revolution. What is one current policy position supported by liberals?
The two major political parties in the United States, the Democratic and Republican Parties, correspond closely with liberal and conservative ideologies, respectively. These ideologies influence US policy debates, which often concern the appropriate amount of government intervention in the economy or in social behavior. Identify one policy debate and describe the position that each party favors.
Based on the data from the visual above, if you wanted your political party to win (and political parties definitely want to win!), what political ideology would it be best to align with?
Based on the visuals below* what has happened to the number of moderates in both political parties over the past 30 years?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Make a family ideology tree. Consult family members to learn the ideology of at least three generations of your family. Share your tree with your classmates.
Get Creative
One thing that is certain is change. Make a copy of the chart above by digitally cutting and pasting or drawing it by hand. Based on the trends from the past almost half century, draw in the future American ideology over the next 30 years.
Learning Extension*
Check out this Gallup Polling data about ideology in the Republican and Democratic parties.