Essential Questions: How has the American political process been shaped by different political ideologies, from left through right-wing thought? Is America too deeply divided by partisan politics and opposing ideologies? Warm Up/Do Now Read the quote and then answer the questions which follow: Since the horror of 9/11, we've learned a great deal about the enemy. We have learned that they are evil and kill without mercy -- but not without purpose. We have learned that they form a global network of extremists who are driven by a perverted vision of Islam -- a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent. And we have learned that their goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. The war against this enemy is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century, and the calling of our generation. Pres. George W. Bush 9/11/06 1) How would you define ideology? American ideology? 2) Explain why Bush characterizes the current conflict with the Middle East as a decisive ideological struggle. --5 Minutes Political Culture: Beliefs of a people about their government and politics American ideals: Basis of our national identity 1
Origins: European Enlightenment thinkers (e.g. Rousseau and Locke) and the Founding Fathers (e.g. Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton) shaped American beliefs Liberty: freedom to act and think as one chooses but no infringement on freedom of others Equality: all individuals equal in worth, legal treatment, and political voice Democratic Consensus: A widespread agreement on principles of governance and underlying values. Also includes: Majority rule: governance according to preferences of majority Popular sovereignty: Ultimate power resides in the people. Justice and the Rule of Law: Law is applied equally and by just procedures (fairness). Everyone is entitled to the same legal rights and protections. Nationalistic: American share a sense of values and identity. Pride in one s nation. Optimistic To be positive about one s future and the opportunities one has. Question: How strongly do Americans feel about their country, as compared to others? 2
What current issues could soon change how Americans feel about their nation? Idealism: Americans believe that their nation is better, stronger, and more virtuous than other nations. Idealism influences reasonable and desirable behaviors. Causes of idealism: The American Dream --The common belief that the U.S. is a land of opportunity, and that individual initiative and hard work can bring economic success. It is fueled by: Capitalism--an economic system characterized by private property, competitive markets, economic incentives, and limited government involvement Monopolies--Large corporations or firms that dominate their industries and are able to artificially fix prices and discourage competition. Antitrust legislation--federal laws that try to prevent monopolies from dominating industries and restraining trade. 3
PERCENT Let s Play the quick version! Rules: You will be split into several teams. Each team will be given a set of dice and a game piece. Each team will take terms rolling the die. When your team lands on a vacant property, you will be given a history trivia question. If your team answers correctly, you can buy the property. If you answer incorrectly, the property remains vacant. If another team lands on a property you own, they must correctly answer a trivia question. If they answer incorrectly, they must give up one of their properties to your team! (In effect, they went bankrupt for failing to pay you and one of their properties went into foreclosure, meaning its value and title gets transferred to you!) Goal: The first team to secure a monopoly ownership of two or three like properties--wins! Isn t this the American (capitalistic) dream? 100 80 60 40 20 0 Percent who believe "Trying to get ahead on your own effort is important in making a person a real American?" 81 79 79 WHITES BLACKS HISPANICS ASIANS 85 Write a reflective response to one of the following (3.5 minutes): Do black people really have the same rights as whites? Do immigration laws discriminate? Does affirmative action really work? Do women make as much money or hold as many positions of power as men do? 4
By 1900, America was no longer the agrarian society the founding fathers had envisioned. Large companies formed monopolies that dominated their industries and fixed prices and discouraged competition. Gave rise to anti-trust legislation Reinforced the Constitutional belief that the government must promote the general Welfare by regulating working conditions, product safety, and labor-management disputes. The stock market crash of 1929 on Wall Street brought massive unemployme nt and a failed banking system. Franklin D. Roosevelt s New Deal program represented the first attempt by the government to provide aid and relief to Americans= the welfare state. Now, Americans expect the right to: earn a living buy and sell without fear of unfair business practices own a home, receive medical care and social security receive a good education earn compensation (disability) if hurt on the job. Conservatives and liberals agree that governmental intervention is necessary to assist those in need of education or jobs. Ideology refers to a person s ideas or beliefs about political values and the role of government. It links our basic values to the day-to-day operations and policies of our government. Major schools of political ideology 1) liberalism and 2) conservatism, 3) socialism, 4) environmentalism, and 5) libertarianism. Do you know which school do you belong to? 5
Liberalism, conservatism, socialism, environmentalism, and libertarianism are all traditionally classified as either right-wing or left-wing, but what s the difference? Evaluate this cartoon. Is it s portrayal of left vs. right-wing thought accurate? Defend your answer! Using the power of gov t to solve problems a strong presidency curb big business, help the underdog not much objection to taxes or deficits favors labor and working persons minorities supports gov t action to foster employment help those unable to help themselves civil liberties Best gov t is the least gov t less taxes oppose deficits, balance budget de-centralization de-regulation (laissez-fair capitalism) stress patriotism and strong defense strong Congress appeals to affluent and middle class 6
Socialism: an economic and governmental (political) system based on public ownership. Extreme left on the spectrum! So.what do socialists favor? A greatly expanded role of the government Public jobs program where all those who want to work will be able to get a job Increased taxes for the wealthy Drastic cut in defense spending Libertarianism: an ideology that cherishes individual liberty and insists on a sharply limited government they are opposed to just about all government programs So.what do libertarians favor? free-market economy noninterventionist foreign policy absence of regulation in the moral and social spheres. Environmentalism: an ideology that is dominated by concern for the environment much like liberalism Otherwise known as the Green Party So.what do environmentalists favor? Grass-roots democracy Social justice Equal opportunity Nonviolence Diversity Feminism 7
EXAMPLE: (Or, invent your own!) The Spectrum Directions: First, read the article Left-Right Wing Politics. Then, create a diagram to place each school of ideology in its proper place. For example, should liberalism be placed on the left or right of your diagram? The five main schools are: 1) liberalism, 2) conservatism, 3) socialism, 4) environmentalism, and 5) libertarianism In addition, make sure to define each school of thought! Be prepared to justify your placement of the political ideologies on your spectrum/diagram. Socratic Seminar Directions: Read Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think by George Lakoff. Your ticket to participate for this seminar is to draw two political cartoons. On the left side, draw a cartoon, making fun of the way a liberal thinks. On the right side, draw a cartoon about the way a conservative thinks. You will need to present this ticket in order to participate. 8
ISSUE LIBERAL VIEWS IDEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIONS CONSERVATIVE VIEWS REFINING THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM LIBERAl CONSERVATIVE The Economic Spectrum Interpretation of the United States Constitution Favor loose construction Constitutional interpretation may change as modern society evolves Favor strict construction Constitutional interpretation should remain constant through the years Economic liberals favor broad government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business. Economic conservatives favor limited government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business. Tradition vs. Change Favor change over status quo Favor tradition over change Examples? Examples? Extension Task: Take a Stand! REFINING THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM LIBERAL Social and political liberals favor limited government regulation of individual behavior. Examples? Social/Political Spectrum CONSERVATIVE Social and political conservatives favor broad government regulation of individual behavior. Examples? Directions: In this activity, you will get up and move around the room! I will read a statement. If you think it is a conservative belief, move to the right of the classroom. If it is liberal, move to the left. If somewhere in between, move to the center! Public schools should begin each day with a prayer. Businesses operate most efficiently when they determine how much their workers earn. Government should not set a minimum wage. Law-abiding citizens should have no limit on the number of guns they may own. Individual people should rely on their own hard work to achieve financial stability. Religion and public schools should be kept separate. The minimum wage is a great example of how the government can protect workers from being taken advantage of by businesses. Gun control laws are an important way to protect public safety. Sometimes the poor need financial help from the government. I believe that the government should be able to censor books and movies with offensive language. I believe that government regulations on business help protect our environment. 9
The Compass IDEOLOGY Compass How is this different from the Spectrum? The Spectrum Warm Up: We have learned about the political spectrum. The compass is another way to diagram ideologies. Try to place the following on the compass: 1) liberalism, 2) conservatism, 3) socialism, 4) environmentalism, and 5) libertarianism http://www.politicalcompass.org/questionnaire.php 10
Assignment: Take two Political Orientation Surveys! Directions: You will take two political orientation surveys and learn a lot about yourself and your political beliefs in the process! 1) The first survey will be on paper. Once the results are tallied, you will be placed somewhere on the traditional political spectrum, from left to right. 2) The other survey is online at http://www.politicalcompass.org/test. Your results will be automatically tallied, placing you somewhere in the political compass. Read the analysis. 3) Once finished with both surveys, write a 150-word response, including: Your report on the results What is your political orientation and why? An explanation about whether you agree with the results Which is better the political spectrum or the ideology compass? Explain Activity: A liberal, conservative, libertarian and totalitarian met one day Directions: Working in groups of 3-4, you will be assigned an issue in the news, such as immigration or stem cell research. You will write an imaginary dialogue about the issue between four characters: a liberal, a conservative, a libertarian, and a totalitarian. The dialogue should demonstrate areas of difference and areas of agreement between the ideologies. Students will perform their dialogue as a skit in front of class. While this can be humorous, you should also seriously and intelligently tackle the issue. Timeframe: 1) One class period to research 2) Write and rehearse the skit 3) Perform! 25 Points for creativity, intelligent discussion of the issue, research, all points clearly presented, and a strong, well-rehearsed performance. 11