To understand American society fully, one must understand America’s political makeup. In order to do that, it is necessary to understand a person’s political opinions and how they came about. This is done by examining how political ideology and political socialization influence society and individuals within that society. Political ideology is the set of beliefs that shape the way someone views government action; it is the way that they think the government should act and react to certain situations. In the United States, the two main political ideologies are liberal and conservative. How American’s teach the tenets and goals of the political system is known as political socialization. This is typically done through parents, peers, school, …show more content…
Before that, I never paid attention to politics or the news; I was very self-centered and did not care about anything that did not directly affect my life. My mother also kept me very sheltered so I did not know what was happening out in the world. She did not want me to worry about things I could not control; her philosophy was that kids could not handle anything more complicated than the Disney channel. In fact, until I was eighteen, I was not allowed to watch anything other than the Disney channel and I could not read any books that were not rated for youth because she did not want me to have an opinion on political issues, especially if they were going to be different than hers. Looking back has shown me that my mother was very conservative in her political views which is completely different than my own centrist/liberal ideology; she did not want government involvement and hated any kind of governmental change while I believe that the government can change society for the better. For example, she firmly believed that the government had no right to interfere, or even discuss, same-sex marriage. Due to her own views, I did not develop any sort of political opinion until I was much …show more content…
During that training, I learned that the government was debating the legality of same-sex marriage; at the time, I did not realize it was a political issue, but in retrospect, the political nature of the same-sex marriage debate has become very clear. Besides just starting my exploration in the world of political opinions, the military also helped shaped my political ideology by showing me how important it is to have an effective government. So much of the military is controlled by the president and congress that it became very clear that I had to understand how, and why, the government made its decisions. Part of that understanding was recognizing the political opinions of the people in charge who controlled my paycheck, my job security, and where I was sent in the
Characterized by constitutionally-limited government, an emphasis on (and a wide-spread popular ideological enshrinement of) individual civil rights and liberties, and economic policy exhibiting strong laissez-faire overtones, the American political system certainly warrants the designation liberal democracy. This designation distinguishes the United States from similar advanced industrial democracies whose political systems lend themselves to preserving the public welfare rather than individual rights. With their government bound to precepts established in a constitution drafted and revised by a group of tyranny-fearing individuals, the American populace enjoys one of the most liberal, unrestrictive governments
The Army requires its members to adhere to prolonged training and learn specialized skills. From the moment a soldier transitions from the civilian sector into the Army, he is indoctrinated with training. Regardless of rank, the Army demands each soldier to be technically proficient and mentally competent in order to be qualified in a respective Military Occupation Specialty. As a soldier progresses in his military career, he is required to continue his education and training. Army leaders are expected and required to continue developing their skills through academic studies, operational experience, and institutional training. An opposing view argues that anyone can learn these skills; however, statistics show less than 0.5% of the population serves in the armed forces, indicating a soldier is a rare mix of intelligence and character.1 These lessons are necessary qualifications to achieve what General Martin Dempsey describes as “effectiveness rather than efficiency.”2 Much like the profession of medicine which must heal, the media which must provide truth, and law which must provide justice, the profession of arms must provide secur...
Democracy is rule by the people; the people elect governing officials based off of their personal values and beliefs. Different political parties rule the political scene and are serving to represent the people’s opinions in the best ways possible. Previously, I had a belief that my political view was essentially the only one possible and therefore it was the best. These views changed quickly once I learned the different political parties, their views, how they represent the people’s views, and how public opinion shapes politics. The government is formed around differentiating opinions on which policies should be in place and which social aspects need to be considered first. Not only is the government guided by opinion, but the people’s lives are guided by opinion as well. Each individual holds a different view, and each view can have an influence on society. Fortunately, after roughly eight weeks of studying American Government, I now have a better sense of complexity and the value of
Political commentators often label American students not as liberals or conservatives, but simply as apathetic citizens unconcerned with political issues. The number of students venturing to the polls continues to be depressing to any advocate of a democratic form of government. Outside of political science classrooms, few students seem to be knowledgeable of simple political events and personalities.
American Politics in Transition For the United States, as for most states in the world, the 1980’s and 1990’s were a time of change and challenge. During this period the effects of change both within the US and internationally acted as push factors in many areas of life, including economics and politics. This sudden change was primarily due to global shocks and recessions, increased foreign economic competition, the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union, the development of revolutionary new technologies, the achievement of post-industrial society within the US, slower rates of domestic economic growth, and the demographic changes within American society. By the Mid 1980’s important developments had occurred within interest groups, political parties. By 1990’s national debates were being held in regard to America’s future in the post-Cold War world, America’s economic competitiveness, culture, morality and the states relationship with society. Five major things must be taken under account when discussing American politics in transition. 1) the basic nature of the American political system, 2) the sources of political change since the late 1960’s, 3) the conservative renewal and the new conservative agenda, 4) the Reagan-Bush legacy in politics and public policy 5) the new political and economic constraints in the era of divided government, and 6) the public policy environment of the 1990s. At the core of American political culture I support for the values of liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism and laissez-faire. The nature of this society with also has glorification of the individual, and the rejection of conservative theories of organic society, hierarchy, and natural aristocracy. Being an American means accepting this liberal Democratic creed (laissez faire), while those who reject it are considered to be un-American. America’s political evolution has also been shaped by the continental scale of the American State. The influx of immigration has caused there to be an extraordinary mixture of ethnic, racial, and religious groups spread across a continent-wide expanse that contributed historically to strong religious, racial and regional cleavages. Even its econony was spread throughout the American state. The largest sector of the economy were commercial agriculture, mercantile capitalism, mining, and heavy (capital goods) industry, but these, however, were also diversified into product specific areas. Collectively, the cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic factors had a profound effect on America’s political development because they reinforced the trend towards decentralization and localism that had already been established in the political and legal domains by the American constitution.
The political culture that defines American politics shows that despite this compromise, America is still very much a democratic society. The very history of the country, a major contributor to the evolution of its political culture, shows a legacy of democracy that reaches from the Declaration of Independence through over two hundred years to today’s society. The formation of the country as a reaction to the tyrannical rule of a monarchy marks the first unique feature of America’s democratic political culture. It was this reactionary mindset that greatly affected many of the decisions over how to set up the new governmental system. A fear of simply creating a new, but just as tyrannic... ...
The world today is constantly adapting, whether it is social, political or cultural. Different countries have throughout history experienced different governing styles and structures. These differences have shaped these states into the way they exist today, shown in laws, standards and behavior of the people. A political ideology is defined as ‘a set of personal beliefs outlining what one has determined to be the optimal mode of social organization’ (Roark, 2013). It can simply be described as the set of beliefs that affects our outlook on the world. Examples of political ideologies include capitalism, communism, socialism and anarchism (Chandran, 2010). Having the state run by its publics and having an autonomously run state are two separate and commonly used governing methods. Capitalism and communism both have an emphasis on the power of the people however is at complete opposite ends of the spectrum of political ideologies (Chandran, 2010). These two are the most poignant political ideologies used throughout the world and facets of them may be taken to create an ideal ideology that the whole world should aspire to.
This foray into what the true American ideology is requires the use of a “veil of ignorance.” Within the hypothetical veil, people are unable to know any distinguishing characteristics about themselves or others. Any society created from behind the veil should be free of inherent discriminations or advantages. I take issue with the use of this veil of ignorance. So much of the political theory and philosophy of early Americans is based on the so-called “original position” proposed by Enlightenment thinkers. There is no such thing as an original position, there never has been, and there most likely never will be. There is no use in making the backbone of a theory rest on an imaginary concept. John C. Calhoun expressed this very same sen...
When I was a kid my parents always took me to Nathdwara to take the blessings of Lord Krishna every now and then because my parents are so religious. So by going there several times I am also attached to that place. Actually Nathdwara is situated in Rajasthan state and I live in the state called Gujarat and in the city called as Ahmedabad. It takes six hours drive from my city to Nathdwara and this is the only nearest place where I could get mental peace. This is very important place for me and my family because it is a tradition of our family that whoever goes there gives free food to the hungry and poor people. We do so because we think that if we do good work in our life we will be allowed by god to go to the heaven. [The two states on the left are Gujarat and Rajasthan. One in light blue color is Gujarat with the arrows and on the top of it with cream color is Rajasthan. I live in the middle of the state and Nathdwara is at the border of the Rajasthan]
The government of the United States of America is very unique. While many Americans complain about high taxes and Big Brother keeping too close an eye, the truth is that American government, compared to most foreign democracies, is very limited in power and scope. One area American government differs greatly from others is its scope of public policy. Americans desire limited public policy, a result of several components of American ideology, the most important being our desire for individuality and equal opportunity for all citizens. There are many possible explanations for the reason Americans think this way, including the personality of the immigrants who fled here, our physical isolation from other countries, and the diversity of the American population.
Growing up in a multi-cultural family can broaden not only your life experiences, but also influence how you view the world. Culture is something that can either be accepted, or something to be apprehensive of. Ethnography helps society learn about culture by fully immersing yourself in the culture. By observing, learning and participating in various cultures it can eliminate a lot of apprehension as well as broaden your ability to accept others. Throughout this essay, I will answer a few questions associated with ethnography and how studying a culture can help our own society progress as well. It is important to know what ethnography is, as well as methods that can be useful (or even detrimental) to your experience. These are questions that
The process of political socialization is not merely a quick development of ideologies but an extended network of agents influencing us at every stage of our lives to implore us of good and proper behaviors and thought patterns to abide by. As stated in Texas politics, there is a difference in general socialization and political socialization but both are significantly influential in our critical development patterns (3.1).
The book A Man of the People is a postcolonial view on politics that is written by the author Chinua Achebe. There is a set stage of corruption, embezzlement, adulatory and bribes which all tie to the political arena that is described in the book. The political office won is has been merely a tool for the politician to secure wealth and control over a society being robbed for the self interest one mans greed. There are modern aspects of political campaigning. This postcolonial palace as some of the modern technologies we have today and some that we do not use. There is some major political difference from what was analyzed in the other book written by Chinua Achebe called Things Fall Apart. There are also some traditional similarities between the two books like polygamy and ideology of honor.
I feel that, for the most part, mine along with others in my age group’s concerns are not addressed by the political process. To answer this, I took a look at political socialization and how I was socialized politically. Some of my concerns include: minimum wage, social security, pollution and global warming, school loans, and legal ages. There are many reasons why, that I understand, that my generation’s opinions of these issues are not addressed, which I will talk about throughout this paper. Overall, the political process does not address our concerns and voices.
The military, for me the Air Force, has its own way of life and its own social function. The first thing I remember getting off the bus at Lackland Air Force Base was the Drill Sergeant running towards us and just yelling and yelling. As a group of individuals we could do no right, “pick up your bags, put them down” was yelled over and over until we learned that when the bags are placed down they can’t make noise. The first day was long and we had to learn quickly the norms of military life. We were giving roles, I was a chow runner, and each role had its own role set. I had to count the trainees and report to the Drill Sergeant how many people in my flight would be eating the meal and after reporting I had to report to the flight leader when our turn will be. It seemed that each day was blurred together as we learned and expected military life style. Class after class was giving by our Drill Sergeants we made sure that race, sex, sexual orientation and color did not affect our daily routine. As each day became in the six week course we started to get used to the daily ritual and...