Ideology Web Survey Assignment
Name____________________
Mrs. Wiens
Now that you have taken the paper survey and determined where you are on the political
spectrum, you can see if your results hold firm. To do this, please complete the following
assignment. It is due THURSDAY. Steps to take for this assignment follow the links
below.
There is a wide range of political ideology quizzes available on the web. Not all are
reliable. Some are poorly written. Others have an agenda. Beware of this while
you have fun!
The Pew Research Center - See where you fit on their typology scale.
Pew Research Center
http://typology.people-press.org/typology/
The Political Compass - Find out where you belong on the liberal/conservative,
authoritarian/libertarian spectrum.
Political Compass
http://www.politicalcompass.org/test
PBS –
Where Do You Fit? Political Party Quiz
Go To Quiz: Political Spectrum Quiz (blocked at CHS)
http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/political-spectrum-quiz.html
On the Issues: Every Political Leader On Every Issue
Vote-Match Quiz
Political Philosophy Quiz - Conservative vs. Progressive, Libertarian vs. Authoritarian
Philosophy
http://politicalquiz.net/
Idealog - Find out where you belong on the liberal/conservative, authoritarian/libertarian
spectrum. Take the self-test. Click on: English
Idealog
http://www.idealogy.org/en/quiz
How Conservative or Liberal Are You? The quiz will generate code for you to put on
your own website if you have one. But you can still use the results to figure out where
you stand.
Conservative Liberal
http://www.blogthings.com/howliberalorconservativeareyouquiz/
Libertarian Purity Test - Find out how libertarian you are.
Libertarian Purity Test
http://www.bcaplan.com/cgi-bin/purity.cgi
Politopia
Politopia Quiz
http://www.politopia.com/quiz_index.php
The World's Smallest Political Quiz
World's Smallest Political Quiz
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
Select Smart 2012
Ideal Candidate
STEPS TO SUCCESS:
Step 1. Take the paper survey (attached below.) Print your results.
Step 2. Take any two or more of the online surveys. (The more surveys, the more info
you will have for writing the paper.)
Step 3. If possible, encourage your family members to take the paper survey (attached
below) and/or the online surveys. Record their results.
Step 4. Write a 2- page informal essay incorporating responses to some of the following
questions. Your paper will have a relaxed style but a strong structure. You may
inform and persuade but you are free to write in a conversational style. However,
that doesn’t mean you can be sloppy!
Begin by determining the main idea of the paper ie your thesis. For example, you
may decide that your parents have overwhelmingly exerted the greatest influence on your
political ideology. Then ask yourself How do I know this is true? Why is this so? Next,
identify two or three main points. For example: Firstly, the surveys demonstrate the
striking similarities you have with your parents, and secondly, your home is like a mini
American Government classroom. Use evidence from the surveys and your personal
experiences to back up your claims (main ideas). You don’t have to address all the
questions; they are just to get you thinking. This paper should be typed (double-spaced,
Times 12-font, one-inch margins.)
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Do the results of the surveys correlate with each other?
How are they different?
How can you explain the differences?
Were you surprised by the results? Did the results match where you thought you
were? Did they match whom you supported in the 2012 election?
Is there a political party that "fits" your ideology?
What issues were the most important ones to you? If the surveys had only been
composed of those questions, would the results have been different for you?
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How can you apply the results of these tests to what you feel the purpose of
government should be?
What do you think the terms liberal and conservative really mean in today's
political climate?
How do your results correlate with your family’s results? Does this surprise you?
Which survey do you think was the most valid and why?
Student handout
Ideological Survey
Question
1. The Federal Government places too many restrictions on modern corporations.
2. Union workers receive wages and benefits so high that they damage their
company’s ability to compete.
3. High government taxes hurt the economy.
4. Only people who cannot work should be eligible for welfare programs.
5. Illegal immigration lowers wages and increases crime.
6. New government programs should be created to further assist poor people in the
United States.
7. The wealthy should be taxed at a higher percentage than the lower and middle
classes.
8. One of the best ways to help the poor is to set policies that help businesses earn
a profit and create new jobs.
9. Government programs discourage able-bodied people from helping themselves.
10. The government should not restrict abortion and other reproductive choices.
11. The government has a special responsibility to assist minorities.
12. Faith-based organizations should be used to improve poverty and crime in
local communities.
13. Public funding should not be used to support religious institutions including
schools.
14. Government should not financially support art projects that are morally
objectionable.
15. The First Amendment should protect pornography from government
censorship.
16. Free trade between the U.S. and other nations is generally beneficial.
17. America’s high crime rate is directly traceable to a cycle of poverty, poor
health care, poor education, and discrimination.
18. A less regulated capitalist system increases innovation and creates long-term
economic success.
19. Gay marriage should be legal.
20. Economic success should take precedent over environmental policies.
21. The federal government should not get involved in setting academic standards
for local public school districts.
22. Americans should have a right to affordable health care.
23. The death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment.
24. Limiting the sale and possession of firearms does not violate the second
amendment right to bear arms.
25. The giving of a prayer before public school sporting events, activities and other
programs should be allowed.
T/F
L/C
TOTAL Conservative Responses: -________
TOTAL Liberal Responses: _________
Answers:
For your TRUE responses, use the following key to score…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C
C
C
C
C
6. L
7. L
8. C
9. C
10. L
11. L
12. C
13. L
14. C
15. L
16. C
17. L
18. C
19. L
20. C
21. L
22. L
23. L
24. L
25. C
After you have coded your responses, characterize them again as "strong
liberal," "weak liberal," "moderate," "weak conservative," or "strong
conservative," but this time do it according to the following scheme:
21-25
16-20
21-25
16-20
10-15
Liberal responses
Liberal responses
Conservative responses
Conservative responses
of either responses
=
=
=
=
=
Strong Liberal
Weak Liberal
Strong Conservative
Weak Conservative
Moderate
Political Socialization Interview Assignment
(Revised 09-12)
Each person goes through a process of political socialization that guides one’s political choices for life. Political science states that parents are the
number on agent of political socialization, and now is your opportunity to put that affirmation to a test.
Parent Signature: ___________________________________________________
The Issues
My response
Name:
The response of my
mom/dad/guardian
(Choose primary caregiver)
Check
here if
similar
Check
here if
different
What do you
believe about
government
regulations on
corporations?
What should the
government do
about illegal
immigration?
Are you prochoice or prolife?
What are your
thoughts on the
current welfare
(workfare)
system?
Do you favor
Keynesian
economic theory
or supply-side
economics?
Should violent
criminals be
given the death
penalty?
Should same-sex
marriage be
allowed?
What is your
opinion about
foreign aid in the
form of military
assistance?
What is your
opinion of the
Republican
party?
Questions to answer for your paper: Have you been politically socialized by your parents?
What do you believe are the greatest influences on your political socialization?
Name___________________________ Period ________
Grading Rubric
Your
Scores
Development and Analysis. Perceptive analysis of the results of
your surveys. Use of insightful details from the surveys, the world of
politics, and your life to support your analysis.
Focus and Organization. Good essay structure with an introduction
containing a clear thesis statement, smooth transition between
paragraphs, main ideas with supporting details the thesis, and a
strong conclusion.
Mechanics and Style. Correct English grammar, spelling, and
punctuation; requires minimal editing
Attachments. Grading Rubric and Survey results are attached to
paper
15
TOTAL
40
Comments:
10
10
5