Unit #1: Political Ideology
& Behaviors
Part 1: Demographics and Political Identity
Demographics: The Census
• Demography is the science of population
changes. We use it to study how the
people of America change and thus how
public opinion changes.
• The census is conducted every ten years
by the U.S. government since 1790 and
is our main demographic tool.
• The census has revealed time and time
again that we are a nation of immigrants
and the result is a melting pot of ideals and
beliefs.
Demographics: Current Population Statistics
Population Trends
• The overall population I exploding in number, surpassing 300 million in 2008.
• Graying. Overall the American population is growing older as the “baby
boomer” generation continues to reach retirement age.
• Shifting. Older generations are moving to the South and West. Immigration
numbers have also dramatically increased, especially in southern states.
• Diversifying. Minorities continue to grow in size.
Political Consequences of Population Trends
• 1. Reapportionment occurs after every census
a representation in congress is adjusted to
reflect population changes and shifts.
• 2. Disproportionate political power for elderly
due to the growing size of the older
generation.
• 3. Shift of political power to minorities.
• 4. Strain of entitlement programs as programs
such as Social Security and Medicare cannot
keep up with the aging population.
Shared Political Culture (Regardless of Race
or Religion)
• Freedom
• Individualism
• Equality of Opportunity
(not economic)
• Democracy
• Civic Duty
• Tolerance
• Distrust of Government
Political Socialization
• All of the factors below
impact the way an individual
thinks and acts politically (the
rank of importance might
range from person to person).
• 1. Family
• 2. Religion
• 3. School
• 4. Friends/Peers
• 5. Mass Media
Political Ideologies: The Definition
• Political ideology is a coherent set
of values and belief about public
policy (political decisions)
• A person’ political ideology impacts
the way an individual politically
participates.
• Conventional participation such as
voting, running for office,
campaigning
• Unconventional participation such as
protest, civil disobedience, nonviolent and violent demonstrations.
Function of Ideology in American Politics
• 1. Convenient labels that
help voters define
themselves and candidates
relative to others – even if
they are limited in their
accuracy.
• 2. Over-used devices that
merely exaggerate the
political divide in America.
Political Ideology Basic Categories
• Liberal: Favors strong central
(national) government.
• Conservative: Favors less central and
instead more local (state) government
power.
• Libertarian: In favor of limited
government involvement on any level.
• Authoritarian: Desire a strong all
powerful government.
Political Ideology Measurement Tools
• 1. Economic spectrum – how
much government
intervention do you prefer in
the name of bringing about
economic fairness?
• 2. Social/moral spectrum –
how much government
intervention do you prefer in
the name of
enforcing/protecting
traditional moral values?
Basic Historical Trends of Political Ideology
• 1. 20th century “paternalism” brought about by a century of the New
Deal coalition. (Idea that the government takes care of us.)
• 2. Resurgence of conservatism
• a.) Ronald Reagan 1980s
• b.) 1994, 104th Congress, Republican “Revolution,” aka “Devolution”
•
•
•
•
Characterized by increase in block grants
Shift in power/responsibility back to the states
Shift toward “dual federalism”
Evidenced by Welfare Reform Act of 1996
• c.) The Tea Party (Happening again today)
• 3. Increase in political polarization (America is as split today as it was
before the Civil War.
Political Platforms
Democrat
• Pro-Choice
• Pro Same-Sex Marriage
• Support government
administered healthcare
• Increased gun control
• In favor of public schools
• Want to invest more in
infrastructure.
• Pro- labor union
Republican
• Pro-Life
• Anti Same-Sex Marriage
• Against government
administered healthcare
• Pro gun rights
• In favor of school choice
• Against increased taxes
• Anti-labor union