Political Ideology & Socialization American Government

Ideology Ideology: a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society. Political Ideology: An individual’s or group’s set of beliefs about governmental or political structures and functions.

Political Socialization How an individual acquires their sense of political identity. There are four major agents of political socialization.

Agent 1: Home and Family Observe and copy parents Tend to follow same ideology pattern Information is filtered based on ideology of parents

Agent 2: School Teach citizenship and societal values Teach democratic principles Usually first knowledge of how system works

Agent 3: Peers Share similar ideas Reinforce attitudes Desire for acceptance may change family ideas

Agent 4: Media Greatest source of information Generates interest in issue that may not have been of concern

How is Ideology Used in Gov’t? Political Planks - the individual issues or beliefs of a politician or citizen. Political Platforms - the set of planks that a politician or citizen stands on. Political Parties - groups of people with similar political platforms who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy.

Major Ideologies 1. Conservatives 2. Liberals 3. Centrists (Moderates)

Political Scale

Political Scale

Democrats Republicans Liberals Minorities support Live in urban areas (major cities) Blue Collar workers Support social programs Support a larger government to provide services Focus on social freedoms Conservatives Small towns/suburbs White Collar workers Support less business regulations Support a smaller government – community Focus on economic freedoms Gov’t regulates some behaviors on morality

Citizenship in the United States

SSCG7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.

NATURAL BORN Citizenship JUS SOLI Right of soil If born in the U.S., then you are a U.S. citizen JUS SANGUINIS Right of blood If parents are citizens, then you are

Naturalization Becoming a US Citizen: 5 years resident in the U.S. (3 if married to a U.S. citizen) Read, write, and speak English (unless they are over 50 years of age and have lived in the US for at least 20 years) Good moral character Understanding of American History and Government (pass a test)

Naturalization process File declaration of intent with the Attorney General Submit petition Investigation and testing Oath NATURALIZED CITIZEN

Could you pass the test?

Participating in Government Citizens can PARTICIPATE, by… Voting—the legitimacy of the US government depends upon “the consent of the governed”… Campaigning or working for a political party or movement… Writing letters to the editor of a newspaper or magazine about political issues… Protesting the actions of the government in a legal and orderly manner.

Obeying the Law Laws are passed to make citizens safe and must be followed if the society is going to work. Laws set guidelines for personal behavior, business practices, elections, and even operation of cars. They reduce areas of uncertainty, and therefore they limit conflict. When conflict does arise, laws can be applied by court judges and juries, who use such laws as an impartial basis on which to settle conflict. Not every law has been perfect; many have been changed over the years when enough people stand up to challenge a law that they feel is unfair or unconstitutional (doesn't follow our Constitution).

Citizenship and Taxes The government must pay for the goods and services it provides to its citizens. This is done with tax revenues, making it a responsibility of U.S. citizenship.

Citizens and the Military The US currently has a volunteer military… However, the US also has the right to staff its military using the draft. Since 1980, all young men have been required to register with Selective Service—To register for the draft when and if it is ever reinstituted.

Jury Duty If you are registered to vote, or have a driver’s license…You might be called to serve jury duty. The Constitution stipulates that accused persons must be tried by a jury of one’s peers… This is a RIGHT of any citizen…The corresponding RESPONSIBILITY is that citizens must serve jury duty.

Knowledge about Current Issues Knowledge about current issues and world affairs is ESSENTIAL if you are going to make informed voting decisions.

Respect for Differing Opinions “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”—Voltaire. Participation in the government demands the ability to listen to and respect the viewpoints of others. Citizens must both tolerate and be knowledgeable of different points of view. Don’t EVER take political disagreement PERSONALLY.

Volunteering and Public Service Citizens should be ENGAGED and recognize the importance of ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. This does not necessarily mean joining the military, or working for a political campaign… You can volunteer for the library, for food drives, for your church or for your community.

Summing it up: What do good citizens do? Obey laws Pay taxes Serve on a jury Participate in the political process (vote) Perform public service (get involved) Register for military service (Selective Service) Stay informed on current issues Respect differing opinions (ideologies)

Government Structures American Government

Purposes of Government: Why Have One? Maintain national defense Provide public goods Provide order Provide Public Services Socialize citizens into political culture Collect taxes to pay for services

Theories of Government Divine right- power to rule comes from God and can not be taken away Social Contract- People give power to one leader in exchange for protection- you have to give up some rights Hobbes – any government is OK Locke – people should play a role in the government

Constitutions Outline structure and function of government Grant, disperse and limit power Set rule of law and limits on the law Set election structure and processes Serve as a symbol of the nation

How is Power Divided? Anarchy- No government, chaos Totalitarianism- Government controls everything – total control Limited Government - Government allows individual freedom/choice

Who Rules? Autocracy An autocracy is a government where a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL is in power There are two types of autocratic leaders: Dictators Monarchs

Autocracy: Dictatorship Dictators gain their power through fear and/or force. Many have TOTALITARIAN governments. Totalitarian governments seek to control every facet of social and economic They often resort to the use of military power to maintain authority. Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler is an example…North Korea’s autocracy was run by Kim Jong Il.

Autocracy: Monarchy Monarchy is another form of government that is USUALLY autocratic. Absolute monarchs have complete power to rule however they choose. Saudi Arabia maintains an absolute monarchy (King Salman bin Abdulaziz). Constitutional monarchies are governments where power is shared between the crown and elected officials. Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy (Queen Elizabeth who works with Parliament).

Who Rules? Oligarchy Vladimir Putin An oligarchy is a system where power is maintained by a small group of people. Power can come from membership within the dominate political party (China) Or by some combination of wealth, military and social connections (Russia) Oligarchies often hold elections, but only permit candidates who have been approved by the establishment. Vladimir Putin

Who Rules? Democracy Democracy is government by the people…where power is held by most Our early government allowed for the participation of only a small number of citizens.

Direct Democracy A Direct Democracy is a system in which every citizen can participate in every aspect of government. Our U.S. system has some components of direct democracy at the local/state level— Initiatives—occur when citizens propose an amendment or law. If the proposal garners the required number of signatures, it can become law. Referenda—occur when voters (rather than legislatures) vote on a particular law. Recall—occurs when voters remove elected officials from office. Governor Schwarzenegger was elected and took office after a recall vote in California removed the previous governor

Representative Democracy In a representative democracy, voters elect representatives and give them the power to make laws and conduct government. The vast majority of our laws are passed by representatives.

FYI: Theocracy In a theocracy, the government is run by a religious institution. The fundamental laws are based on scripture. Vatican City is ruled by the Pope, and law is rooted in canon (Church) law. Although Iran has an elected president (former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pictured), he must answer to Ali Khamenei, an Islamic cleric and the Supreme Leader of the country. Iranian law is based on Sharia Law—which Muslims believe is God’s law.

Governing Systems/Levels of Gov Unitary- national government rules China, United Kingdom Confederation- State government rules The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - formerly known as the Soviet Union; U.S. under the Articles Federal State- State and national governments share power United States, Germany, Australia

US Government Representative Democracy Democratic Republic Limited Government Federal System

Principles of Democracy Individual Worth Civil Liberties and Rights Representative Government Majority Rule with Minority Rights Rule by Law Limited Power