What makes a person liberal or conservative?
First of all, what beliefs do liberals and conservatives hold?
Second, to what extent do liberals and conservatives agree with one another over basic American values?
What factors might explain why an individual is liberal or conservative?
Of the potential agents of socialization mentioned in
the textbook (family, social groups, gender, race, ethnicity, economics,
education, and so on), which do the students believe impacted their own
personal ideologies the most – and which do you believe impacted you
the most?
In contemporary politics, debates rage regarding the
funding of costly political campaigns. The cost of elections has
increased considerably in recent years. In order to compete, politicians
must raise vast amounts of money.
Does the process of raising money have an impact on the behavior of politicians?
Is there a way to address the inequities of the
campaign finance system without trampling on the free speech rights of
campaign donors?
What do big donors get from politicians in exchange for their contributions? Explain.
Evaluate and discuss the statements and questions. Please take a clear position which you will be prepared to defend.
Incorporate material and essential concepts from your text. The best
answers will include citations (not quotes) from the text and any
outside sources you might use.
Discussion 2 – 300 words
Reflect and Respond
Discussion Questions for Ch. 11 & 12
Some political scientists claim that political parties are essential to modern democracy.
What would democratic governments be like without political parties?
What roles and functions do political parties perform?
How might contemporary political parties be reformed to perform these functions better?
Are political parties essential for the functioning of democratic government?
People tend to view their own interests as closely
related to the overall public interest, while often deeming the
interests of other individuals and groups as special interests that work
to the detriment of the common good.
Why do you think people do this?
How might people differentiate between special interests and the common good?
Is such objectivity possible? If so, is it necessarily desirable?
Evaluate and discuss the statements and questions. Please take a clear position which you will be prepared to defend.
Incorporate material and essential concepts from your text. The best
answers will include citations (not quotes) from the text and any
outside sources you might use.
