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Dr. Kevin Lasher

POLI 101: U.S. Government. Dr. Kevin Lasher. Understanding. IDEOLOGY. IDEOLOGY. Definitions Classical/philosophical ideology 20 th /21 st Century American ideology. Late 20 th /Early 21st Century American Ideology. Not so concerned with “change”

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Dr. Kevin Lasher

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  1. POLI 101: U.S. Government Dr. Kevin Lasher

  2. Understanding IDEOLOGY

  3. IDEOLOGY • Definitions • Classical/philosophical ideology • 20th/21st Century American ideology

  4. Late 20th/Early 21st Century American Ideology • Not so concerned with “change” • More concerned with broad “attitudes” toward governmental action

  5. Modern American Ideology: Themes • Attitude toward government regulation of U.S. economy • Attitude toward government regulation of personal issues

  6. Government Regulation of Economy ?

  7. Government Regulation of Economy: FOR • Government has an important role to play in managing-regulating the U.S. economy • Promote economic equality • Social welfare programs • Progressive taxation • Environmental laws, civil rights laws, laws to protect workers and consumers

  8. Government Regulation of Economy: AGAINST • Government regulation of U.S. economy should be “minimized” • Excess regulation stifles economic growth • Personal economic initiative • Market forces can “solve” many problems facing society • NOT “laissez-faire” capitalism

  9. Government Regulation of Personal Matters ?

  10. Government Regulation of Personal Matters: FOR • Government has an important role to play in regulating-controlling people’s personal lives • Close church-state relations desirable • Government “promote” law & order, traditional values, nuclear family

  11. Government Regulation of Personal Matters: AGAINST • Government should “stay out of” people’s personal-moral lives • Wall of separation of church and state • People can make own decisions about morality, sexual behavior, raising children, entertainment • NOT lawlessness or immorality

  12. Modern American Ideologies • Liberalism • Conservatism • Libertarianism • Populism (Communitarianism)

  13. Government Intervention in Economy American Ideology FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES

  14. Government Intervention in Economy American Ideology FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES confused? “leave me alone” “take care of me” confused?

  15. Government Intervention in Economy American Ideology FOR AGAINST Government Intervention in Personal Matters AGAINST FOR LIBERALS LIBERTARIANS POPULISTS CONSERVATIVES Moderates

  16. “Typical” Ideological Division (Left) (Center) (Right) • Economic Issues? • Personal Issues? • Economic and personal issues? Liberals Moderates Conservatives

  17. Economic Issues Personal Issues Populists Populists (Left) (Center) (Right) Liberals Moderates Conservatives Libertarians Libertarians Personal Issues Economic Issues

  18. “Typical” Ideological Division:Blue Collar Job Loss • Liberals: generous unemployment, government retraining programs, government jobs • Conservatives: economic growth will produce better-paying jobs • Moderates: in-between policy • Libertarians: Side with conservatives; winners and losers Liberals Moderates Conservatives

  19. “Typical” Ideological Division:Health Care Reform • Liberals: more than Obama-care, single-payer system • Conservatives: anti-Obama-care, modify existing private insurance • Moderates: embrace Obama-care as best reform of current system • Libertarians: Side with conservatives; government stay out of health care Liberals Moderates Conservatives

  20. “Typical” Ideological Division:Medical Marijuana • Liberals: no problem, maybe full legalization/decriminalization • Conservatives: social costs outweigh medical benefits, danger of “slippery slope”, all drugs are bad • Moderates: support for true medical cases, but don’t think about legalization • Libertarians: Side with liberals; “toke up” Liberals Moderates Conservatives

  21. “Typical” Ideological Division:Gay Marriage • Liberals: accept gay life-style; government should recognize long-term commitment of gay couples • Conservatives: government must prohibit; gay marriages violate “sacred” institution of marriage • Moderates: recognize “partnership agreements” • Libertarians: Side with liberals, none of my business Liberals Moderates Conservatives

  22. To Be Continued

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