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Ideology
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Definition
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Ideology
is a system of beliefs and values
about the nature of the good life, society, the
economy, moral values, and the role of
government.
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"Liberalism" and "conservatism" are the two
dominant systems of beliefs and values in
American and Texas life today.
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Ideology
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Conservatism
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The basic conservative principle in economic policy is
laissez-faire, but in practice conservatives often
pursue "
pseudo laissez-faire
," that is, the theoretical
assertion that an unregulated economy produces the
best results coupled with practical support for
government policies that help business to overcome
problems in the market-place.
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Commonly described as being on the “right wing” of
the political spectrum, conservatives argue that
economic problems are caused by over-regulation by
government.
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Ideology
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Liberalism
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Liberals are more apt to blame "market failure" for
economic problems and to place more faith in the ability
of government to direct economic activity.
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Commonly described as being on the “left wing” of the
political spectrum, liberals usually oppose government
activity in the personal sphere while conservatives
generally favor government regulation in areas such as
religion, sexual activity, and drug use.
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On foreign policy issues liberals and conservatives tend
to follow partisan rather then ideological cues.
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Because of these contradictions, ideological debates
are often confusing, but in Texas as else-where
ideological arguments form the basis for a great deal of
rhetoric
and intense disputes over public policy.
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Ideology
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Ideology in Texas
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Texas has historically been dominated by a combination of the
traditionalist and individualist political cultures which are
translated, in the Texas case, into an ideology of political
conservatism.
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A 2002 survey reported that only 18 percent of Texans think of
themselves as liberal while 52 percent call themselves
conservative.
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Self-report numbers may contain ambiguities but are sufficiently
dramatic to emphasize the weakness of the liberal ideological
tradition in Texas.
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Although the national Democratic party is controlled by liberals
and the national Republican party is controlled by conservatives,
both parties in Texas are unusually conservative.
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The Texas Democratic party is comparatively more liberal
that its Republican counterpart because it contains a large
and active liberal minority.
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Political Socialization
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Definition
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The process of
political socialization
explains how
the attitudes and values of the conservative political
culture that dominates Texas are transmitted from
one generation to another.
