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Liberal and Conservative dichotomy Political ideology: a set of underlying orientations, ideas, and beliefs through which we come to understand and interpret politics. Most common ideology in the United States is Liberal and Conservative. Liberals believe in: social and moral reform extensive governmental intervention in the economy efforts on behalf of the poor, minorities, and women support for abortion rights concerned with rights of the accused support decriminalization of drugs oppose state involvement with religious institutions support for poor nations opposition to using troops to influence foreign nations support for international organizations like the UN ECONOMIC RESTRICTION, PERSONAL LIBERTY Most likely Democrat Contradictions: If Gov. can be trusted to expand domestically why cannot it expand internationally? If personal liberty is to be protected why not allow the individual to own whatever firearm they select? Conservatives believe in: the economic and social status quo suspicious of new political and economic arrangements opposed to large and powerful government (especially federal) oppose expansion of governmental activity, preferring free-market solutions oppose regulation on business oppose abortion, support school prayer, more concerned with victims of crime support the use of military power ECONOMIC LIBERTY, PERSONAL RESTRICTION Most likely Republican Contradictions: If government should be limited and not regulate business, why should it ban abortion, pornography or flag burning? If the federal government should be regarded with suspicion, why feel comfortable with federal military ventures overseas? So why do we see these contradictions? (so says Lowi and Ginsburg) Because ideology is a matter of politics rather than logic – organized labor, minority groups and some intellectuals comprise (in part) liberals and they have an interest in attacking the commercial and business strata’s interests and values – conservatives are comprised (in part) of an economic elite that wants to oppose those changes |
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