1. You will be given 3 different issues2. Each issue will include two extreme viewpoints 3. Choose a number that represents your belief on the issue

1-Completely FOR 10- Completely AGAINST OR Choose a number somewhere in between that best communicates your belief on the issue.

Ideological Issues

Issue #1: School Uniform

1(For)-School safer for students, reduces socioeconomic disparities and encourages students to focus on their studies not their clothes.

10 (Against)-Infringe upon students rights to express their indiviudality, have no positive effect on behavior and academic achievement and emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.

Issue # 2 Under God in Pledge

1(For)- The U.S. is a Christian nation, language represents the foundation of our country not relgiion, federal law, state constitutions and US currency already have references to GOD.

10(Against)- Chruch and state should be kept seperate, COnstitution protects minority rights against majority will, “Under God” is a religious phrase that violates the establishment clause of the first ammendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion … .”

Issue # 3 Right to Life1(FOR)-Terminally ill people should have the right to end their suffering with a quick, dignified, and compassionate death and the right to die is protected by the same constitutional safeguards that guarantee such rights as marriage, procreation, and the refusal or termination of life-saving medical treatment.

10(Against)-Doctors have a moral responsibility to keep their patients alive, it is a "slippery slope" from euthanasia to murder and legalizing euthanasia will unfairly target the poor and disabled and create incentives for insurance companies to terminate lives in order to save money.

Ideology is not . . .

Instead it falls on a continuum . .

RIGHTLEFT MIDDLE

1.What factors influence our ideology?

2.What are the effects of ideology?

3.What role does ideology play in politics?

Ideology Discussion Questions

Political Ideology

One’s basic beliefs about the government and political issues.

Political Ideology Survey

1. Read each statement2. In the first column write an A if you AGREE with the statement or D if you DISAGREE3. STOP when you are done! Do not worry about the other two columns.4.Homework: Have a parent or

guardian take the survey (Column 2)...don’t let them see your answers.

Political Ideology falls along a continuum...

Conservative Right Wing Republican

LiberalLeft WingDemocrat

ModerateCenter

GOALS (SAME): End Result.. Freedom, Chance for prosperity, As few people suffering as possible, Healthy children, Crime-free streets, etc.

DIRECTION (DIFFERENT): The path to achieve this goal….this is where ideologies come in...

Political Ideology

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY: LIBERAL

Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to help solve people’s problems.

● More government involvement● Open to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not

traditional or widely accepted

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY: CONSERVATIVE

Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

● Less government involvement● Favor traditional values, less accepting of changes

or new ideas

1. LABOR UNIONS2. TAXES3. SOCIAL PROGRAMS (WELFARE)4. IMMIGRATION5. ABORTION6. RELIGION & GOVERNMENT7. CENSORSHIP OF THE ARTS8. CRIME9. SAME SEX MARRIAGE10.ENVIRONMENT11.EDUCATION12.HEALTHCARE13.DEATH PENALTY14.GUN CONTROL15.AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Liberal v. Conservative Stances

DIRECTIONS...1. Make a chart:Issue Liberal Conservative

2. Research and record the liberal and conservative perspective for each issue.

3. You may work together...these are notes.

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesLABOR UNIONS

Liberal•Favor Labor Unions•Fight for workers rights: Social security, medicare, etc.

Conservative•Against Labor Unions•Workers shouldnt be forced to join them•Give more power than necessary to workers

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. Conservatives:Taxes and Social Spending

Liberals•Increase•Used to support social programs in the states like

■Welfare■Medicaid and Medicare■Homeless shelters■Free clinics■Shelters for battered women■Soup kitchens

Conservatives•Decrease•Social programs should be supported through charities taxes•“Trickle Down Economics”

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesAbortion

Liberals

•Pro – Choice (For)•A fetus is not a human life

Conservative

•Pro – Life (Against)•Human life begins at conception

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesDefense Spending

Liberals•Decrease•Use more for social spending

Conservative•Increase or maintain

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesDeath Penalty

Liberals•Against it (Anti)•Would like to see it banned by the national government•Inhumane

Conservatives•For it (Pro)•“Eye for an eye”

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesSame Sex Marriage

Liberals•Believe it should be legal•Not a moral issue, but an equality issue and it is protected by the Constitution

Conservatives•Believe it should not be legal•Support a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage•Is a moral issue tied to religion

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesAttitude Towards Criminals

Liberals•Want rights of accused protected first and foremost•Interested in finding out “why” person committed crime

Conservatives•Want rights of victims protected first and foremost•Not concerned with “why” person committed crime

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesMinimum Wage

Liberals•Would like to see it increased• Believe national government should set it to protect workers

Conservatives•Against a minimum wage-would like to see it end•Believe it is too much regulation on business

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesSocial Security

Liberals•Believe it should be left in the hands of the federal government

Conservatives•Believe it should be privatized

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesHealth Care

Liberals•Should be 100% provided by the national government

Conservatives•Should continue to be de-regulated and left in the hands of independent, competing health care providers

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesImmigration

Liberals•Illegal immigrants do the jobs Americans don’t want to do•Open to discussing options for the millions of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.

Conservatives•Support legal immigration but not illegal immigration•We need stricter immigration laws

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesEnvironment

Liberals•Global Warming caused by increased production of carbon dioxide•Industrial growth harms the environment

Conservatives•Less focus on the environment•Favor industrial growth

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesGun Control

Liberals•More regulations on guns needed.

Conservatives•Second Amendment gives us the right to keep and bear arms

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesEducation

Liberals•Increase funding for public schools•Raise teacher wages and reduce class size

Conservatives•Parents who pay the taxes that fund the schools should get to choose where and how to educate their children-School vouchers

Political Ideology: Liberals vs. ConservativesReligion

Liberals•Want to keep clear and strict separation of church and state•No religion in government policy

Conservatives•Would like to implement more religion into government policy•Views largely based on religion

Political Ideology Survey

1. In the second column, determine whether the “issue” is Social, Political and/or Economical.2. In the last column...using your L/C notes determine if the statement is Liberal or Conservative.3. STOP when you are done! I will show you how to assess your responses.

Political Ideology Survey Results

1. Tally Liberal and Conservative responses.2. If you agree with a liberal statement it is one tally for Liberal. (same)If you disagree with a liberal statement it is one tally for Conservative. (opposite)3. Are you more Liberal, Moderate or Conservative?