chapter four: political ideologies

1. Chapter Four: Political Ideologies American Government POLS 1101 Instructor: Mr. Mancill

3. Mainstream Ideologies Mainstream ideologies include Liberalism and Conservatism. These mainstream ideologies do not want to make major changes in our political and social order. Accept capitalism Accept New Deal era reforms

4. Radical Ideologies Radical ideologies include Democratic Socialism and Libertarianism. Democratic Socialists Do not accept the capitalist system Big corporations have too much power Economic decisions should be in the hands of the government

5. Radical Ideologies Libertarianism Economic system free of governmental interference. Dismantle most welfare programs. They want major changes, peaceful change They enter candidates in elections but rarely win.

6. Power and Promotion 1. How much power should the government have over the economy? Socialism- Active government control of the economy Liberalism- Positive action in the economy Conservatism- Positive action to support capitalism Libertarianism- Almost no regulation of the economy

7. Power and Promotion 2. What should the government promote? Socialism- Economic equality, community Liberalism- Economic Security, equal opportunity, social liberty Conservatism- Ecnomic liberty, morality and social order Libertarianism- Total economic and social liberty

8. Liberalism Liberalism-begins with the assumption that individuals are rational beings capable of overcoming obstacles to progress without resorting to violence. Ideas of John Locke. Locke believed in the natural goodness of man. Contract Theory- the state gains it legitimacy from the consent of the governed and is formed to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property. (limited government)

9. Classic Liberalism Government should play a minimal role in society. A government that governs least governs best. A strong government is dangerous to liberty. Government should step out of the way and allow economic competition. Addressed the needs of the business class. Key Idea: Minimal government and property rights.

10. Populism and Progressivism After the Civil War, liberal attitudes toward government began to change. Farmers suffered greatly after the Civil War. The target of liberals now became railroads and banks, not the government. Out of this turmoil evolved a new liberal movement known as populism.

11. Populism The Populists formed their own political party in the 1880's. They called for: More democratization of government through secret ballots Direct election of Senators Voter initiatives More governmental involvement in the economy

12. Progressivism Progressivism was another movement that grew during the late 1890's and early 1900's. Progressives supported: Government programs to ease the problems of industrialization. Worker's compensation Ban on child labor Regulation of corporations Minimum wage Public limits in private corporate power

13. Progressivism Progressives achieved major successes during the administrations of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. During Roosevelt's administration, Congress passed laws that regulated railroads and food and drug industries. During Wilson's administration Congress passed laws regulating the banking industry, restricting unfair competition. Populists and Progressives believed that government could remedy the economic ills by limiting the power and wealth of private corporations and banks.

14. Contemporary Liberalism Government should be responsible for assisting individuals, businesses, and communities in dealing with social and economic problems. Government should ensure the economic well being of a nation and should provide basic material guarantees (food, shelter, health care, and education) to every individual. Government should stay out of social issues. Tolerance for different lifestyles. Address the needs of unemployed, and farmers.

15. Contemporary Liberalism The positive state cushions the excessive inequalities of power and wealth that arise in any capitalist system. President Johnson's Great Society: Rent supplements for the poor Scholarships for college students Aid to the arts and humanities Higher pensions for government workers Aid to children with disabilities Food stamp program

16. Contemporary Liberalism Policy Stances Abortion: support Stem cell research: support Gun control: support Civil unions/same sex marrriage: support

17. Neoliberals In the past liberals focused on: Economic issues Government's obligation to assist the needy In recent decades liberals focused on: Social and foreign policy issues This angered those who identified with the liberal movement Liberals became associated with negative feelings

18. Neoliberalism To help bring the liberal movement back, neoliberalism was introduced. Neoliberalism-a form of liberalism that emphasizes the promotion of wealth rather than it redistribution, and the reform of military practices rather than reductions in military spending. Neoliberals direct their attention not to expanding government services, but to their effective delivery. Neoliberals also criticize the size and costs of the government bureaucracy. Fiscal responsibility

19. Who Are The Liberals? Usually they are found in the Democratic party. Constituencies include: Minorities Labor movement Feminists Poor

20. Conservatism Conservatism-holds that established customs, laws, and traditions, should guide society. Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France The experience of past generations was the most reliable guide to good government Customs, traditions, and laws should not be discarded People were not equal in ability or talent

21. Early American Conservatism Adams did not believe in the natural goodness of man, Adams said laws were needed to promote public virtue and to curb private greed. Universal suffrage was a threat to the republic. Men without property lacked the independence, judgment, and virtue to be members of a free republic.

22. Conservatism and the Industrial Age As America industrialized after the Civil War, conservatives embraced laissez faire economics. Laissez faire economics-French for "leave things alone". Government should not interfere in the economy.

23. Conservatism and the Industrial Age If people worked hard they could become successful. The government should stand out of the way. Conservatism became the ideology of America's business class.

24. Contemporary Conservatism The Great Depression proved to be detrimental to conservatism. The beginning of the New Deal and many welfare state programs. Popular acceptance of these programs placed conservatism on the defensive for many years.

25. Contemporary Conservatism Conservatives have opposed most major liberal reforms. Including Social Security in 1935, and Medicare in 1965. Since the 1980's conservatives have focused on: Reducing social spending Reshaping the tax code Rebuilding national defense

26. Contemporary Conservatism Remains at it�s core a defense of economic individualism against the growth of the welfare state. Welfare state programs only create a permanent class of the poor who are dependent on the state and have no incentives to enter the working world.

27. Contemporary Conservatism Conservatives support constitutional amendments restricting abortion and permitting prayer in public schools. Policy Stances Abortion: oppose Stem cell research: oppose Gun control: oppose Civil unions/same sex marriage: oppose

28. Who are the Conservatives? Usually they belong to the Republican Party. While Republican presidents after the Great Depression identified with moderate ideas, Ronald Reagan openly embraced his conservatism.

29. Neoconservatism Neoconservatism- the idea that contemporary liberalism has transformed the modest New Deal welfare state into an intrusive paternalistic state. They feel liberals overestimated the ability of government to solve social problems. They feel that liberals no longer speak for the average person. They stress policies such as lower taxes on large incomes. They stress less regulation of business to promote economic growth.

30. Neoconservatism Neoconservatives think that liberals have promised too much to too many groups. A government that promised too much cannot deliver and becomes overloaded. However, neoconservatives do support a modest welfare state. A properly constructed welfare state strengthens citizen's loyalty to the capitalist system. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Jack Kemp developed an "empowerment" agenda to assist the poor with and emphasis on anti-bureaucratic, market oriented programs.

31. The New Right: Populist Conservatism New Right- a movement led by Christian evangelicals that supports reestablishment of traditional moral values, the abolition of abortion and pornography, and legalization of school prayer. The New Right combined elements of traditional conservatism and populism.

32. The New Right: Populist Conservatism The New Right feels that permissive liberal values are responsible for a broad range of social ills including: High levels of premarital sex Adultery Abortion Income tax cheating Excessive personal debt In the late 80's and early 90's the movement was disheartened by sex scandals of Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker.

33. Key Ideas-Liberalism Classic Liberalism Minimal government Protection of property rights Populism Democratization of government Economic reforms Progressivism Social Programs to cope with problems cause by industrialization Public limits on private corporate power

34. Key Ideas- Liberalism Contemporary Liberalism Positive state Faith in solving problems collectively through government Provide to economic well being of the nation Provide basic material needs to each individual Tolerance of various lifestyles Neoliberalism Creation, not redistribution of wealth Free trade Reform of entitlement programs Strong but economical defense

35. Key Ideas-Conservatism Early American conservatism Sanctity of private property Distrust of unchecked popular rule Duty of government to promote healthy economic environment. Industrial Age conservatism Laissez faire economics Individualism Social Darwinism Contemporary conservatism Reduced spending on social programs Revamping tax policies Strong defense Duty of government to promote virtuous citizenry

36. Key Ideas-Conservatism Neoconservatism Skepticism of government's ability to solve social and economic problems Acceptance of modest welfare state Creation, not redistribution of wealth Assertive foreign policy

37. Key Ideas-Challenges to the Status Quo New Right Critical of big government, big corporations Distrustful of national media Social ills seen as a product of liberal policies Return the nation to traditional cultural values Libertarianism Minimal government Protection of property rights and personal freedom No governmental regulation of the economy Non interventionist foreign policy Drastic reduction in defense spending