Transcript Public Knowledge and Participation In the Political Arena

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Political Ideology refers to a
set of values, beliefs, opinions, assumptions, and attitudes
about how society should be organized and operated.
It tends to focus on the responsibilities and powers
that the government should or should not have,
and on the freedoms that individuals, groups, or companies
should or should not have.
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Ideology guides how people
 Interpret current issues and events
 Frame arguments for their positions
 Vote
 Engage in political action to promote their
goals
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While many kinds of labels are used for
different ideologies, most commonly we
name the alternative ideologies as
“Liberal” or “Conservative”
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Either
Liberal
Or
Conservative
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Far Left----Liberal----Centrist----Conservative----Far Right
There are a gazillion issues ….
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Should the government set a minimum wage that workers must be paid?

Should the government help senior citizens pay for prescription drugs?
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Should oil companies be allowed to drill for oil in the Alaskan National
Wildlife Refuge?

Should the US create a guest worker program for immigrant workers?

Should public schools be allowed to conduct school prayers?

Should consumers pay a recycling tax when purchasing electronic
equipment with a monitor screen?
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A. Taxes
B. Government regulation of economic activity
C. Government assistance to people in need
D. Selected social issues
E. Foreign affairs
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Should CA income taxes be raised
so that the fees paid by CSU
students can be lowered?
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Some CSU Facts
+ 117%
Percent of CSU Costs
Paid by State
1998-99: 80%
2014-15: 54%
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If any, what should be the minimum
wage that all employers in
California are required to pay their
workers?
Some facts about living in CA
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9.
Prescription drugs for the elderly
Grants and loans for college students
Childcare/Daycare services
Health insurance
Education programs for underachieving students
Job training programs
Unemployment benefits
Leaves from work for childbirth, family illness,
work injury
Foreign aid to countries experiencing starvation,
health crises, natural disasters
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3.
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Abortion
Gun control
English only vs. Language diversity
Capital punishment
Immigration
Prayer and religious symbols in government activities
LGBTQ civil rights
Multiculturalism
The Patriot Act
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
What should the US do about the Islamic State (IS)
terrorists in Iraq and Syria?

What role should the US play in global planning to
fight global warming?

How should the US relate to China’s growing
economic and military strength?

What should the US do about the second-class
status of females in many parts of the world?
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Far Left
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Far Right
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Democrat
Far Left
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Far Right
Republican
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Libertarian
P&F
Green
Democrat
Far Left
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Far Right
Republican
Am. Independent
Libertarian
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