4.10 Ideology and Social Policy
Widely held political ideologies shape policy debates and choices in American policies.
Explain how political ideologies vary on the role of the government in addressing social issues.
Explain how the implications of the author’s argument or perspective may affect political principles, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors.
Ideological positions on school vouchers litigated in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002)
Differing state requirements for marriage and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) ruling on same-sex marriage
Liberal ideologies tend to think that personal privacy—areas of behavior where government should not intrude—extends further than conservative ideologies do (except in arenas involving religious and educational freedom); conservative ideologies favor less government involvement to ensure social and economic equality; and libertarian ideologies disfavor any governmental intervention beyond the protection of private property and individual liberty.
Explain how different ideologies impact policy on social issues.
Policy trends concerning the level of government involvement in social issues reflect the success of conservative or liberal perspectives in political parties.