introduction four major political ideologies
TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION
Four Major Political Ideologies
Most Americans Most Americans are in this are in this rangerange
Liberalism Historically, industrialism brought many problems to society and government intervention was seen as a way of promoting individual development, thus liberals began to support wage and work hour regulation.
Government could be used to liberate people from poverty, oppression, and economic exploitation.
IN SUMMARY
Liberals tend to believe:
Solving problems collectively through government
Programs to provide for the economic well-being of the nation
Non-interventionist foreign policy
Liberals believe that government should be activily involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens; toleranace of various lifestyles
They usually call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system.
“ …if by a liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone
who cares about the welfare of the people—their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties—if that is what they mean by a "liberal," then
I am proud to be a liberal."-- John F. Kennedy
Obama to gay group: 'Still laws to change, hearts to open'
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/10/obama.gay.rights/index.html
Healthcare Reform Bill
Thomas Jefferson summed up the noninterventionist foreign policy position perfectly in his 1801 inaugural address: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations — entangling alliances with none." Washington similarly urged that we must, "Act for ourselves and not for others," by forming an "American character wholly free of foreign attachments
Libertarianism Libertarian views have traditionally been ignored until the last few decades. They tend to embrace the autonomy of the individual and the minimal role of government in both economic and noneconomic spheres. They tend to reject any regulation of private matters of religion, morality, or conscience to the extent that they tend to approve of efforts to legalize drug use and prohibit restrictions of any kind on abortion.
IN SUMMARY
Libertarians believe:
Protection of property rights
Freedom of the individual
No government intervention in the economy
Noninterventionist foreign policy
Reduction in defense spending
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1449-Dallas-Libertarian-Examiner~y2010m4d11-Libertarians-to-Tea-Party-rediscover-your-roots
Thomas Jefferson summed up the noninterventionist foreign policy position perfectly in his 1801 inaugural address: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations — entangling alliances with none." Washington similarly urged that we must, "Act for ourselves and not for others," by forming an "American character wholly free of foreign attachments."
Conservatism
After the industrial age, conservatism called for government to stay out of economic affairs and allow businesses to follow their own actions. The focus was on what was good for the economy as a whole-the industrial age saw an economic boom in production and trade.
IN SUMMARY
Conservatives believe in:
Reducing spending on social programs
Reduction of taxes to encourage economic growth
Strong military defense; assertive foreign policy
Little action to redress gender and racial discrimination (strong opposition to quotas)
People who hold conservative ideals favor keeping things the way they are or maintaining the status quo if it is what they desire.
Conservatives are ususally hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way.
They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.”
Tea Party protester Don Miller says the US government should not have so much power. (ABC News: Kim Landers)http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/
2010/04/17/2875479.htm?section=world
Moderates
Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives.
They are seen as tolerant of other people’s views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own.
They advocate a “go-slow” or “wait-and-see” approach to social or political change.
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PopulistsAlso and outgrowth of industrialism. They tend to embrace many of the liberal ideals of private property and individualism-the economic system has not provided those to enough people. Economic intervention is needed on behalf of the common man, not business.
They tend to reject changes in social values and mores that came with industrialization-they want to preserve more traditional social values and are willing to use the government to achieve that purpose.
IN SUMMARY
Populists tend to believe in:
Programs to provide for the economic well-being of small business and common man
Reducing spending on social programs
Reducing taxes to encourage economic growth
A noninterventionist foreign policy
A return to the values of the past
Mistrust of foreign competition
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html
The Tea Party: Populism of the privileged