Question: What ideologies do I need to know?

What type of ideologies do I need to know?

NOTE: Ideologies, or sets of beliefs, differ from person to person. The following are generalizations, as to the pure traditional beliefs of each.

1. Liberal - Favors liberty, equality, and wants as much progressive change as legally possible. Most Democrats frequent a more liberal ideology (but not always). They tend to support a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion, same-sex marriage, freedom of speech and press, the rights of accused criminals, more government regulation of the economy, and universal health care.

2. Conservative - A conservative wants less change and reform than a liberal, and is satisfied with a limited role of the government. They tend to oppose government regulations on business and support a free market. Socially, they support traditional moral and family values. They tend to be pro-life, favor the death penalty, and believe marriage is defined as between a man and a woman.

3. Moderate - Moderates are more liberal than a conservative, yet more conservative than a liberal. Being a “middle of the roader” is quite common, and these are the voters that wind up deciding close elections. Many moderates consider themselves independent, or not part of a major political party.

3. Libertarians - These are people who tend to be conservative economically, but liberal on social issues. They want less government involved in the lives of American citizens. The opposite view would be the Populist view. This ideology is economically liberal, yet they are social conservatives.

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