American Government Project, Research Paper Example

There are at least four dimensions that shape a person’s political views: the economy, civil rights and civil liberties, foreign and defense matters, and lifestyle. Explain the liberal and conservative position on each of these dimensions and then describe your own ideological views.

Liberal political philosophy advances a paradigm of freedoms and equality. However it places this responsibility of acquiring this freedom and equality upon the government through enforcing laws and policies for equitable distribution of resources within the society. Conservatives alternatively believe that very citizen has opportunities to pursue his/her own paths to freedom and equality based on education and resources available within the society independent of government infiltration (Druckman et.al, 2013).

Dimensions that shape a person’s political views

The economy

The Liberalists’ perspective of economics while it supports a free market policy expects the government to intervene in financial monopolistic relationships that exploit the poor Liberals hold government responsible for controlling prices; regulating wages and providing access for enhancement of personal financial growth (Brown, 2005). Cynically, it has been posited that American conservatism is rooted in preserving the rights and customs of Englishmen. More importantly it could be referring to the British economic model of governance (Lock, 2006). Edmund Burke while supporting the ideology that every citizen can create his/her own property through resources available in the society he still advocated that governments should not create debts and then cast the burden on tax payers (Lock, 2006).

Civil rights and civil liberties

Civil rights and liberties is the cornerstone of liberalists ideology perpetuated by the US democratic party They believe that government is responsible for funding programs which would reduce inequalities in society among all people, especially, those termed minorities

Liberals have zero tolerance for stereotyping that reduce human worth and participation in the social structure (Brown, 2005).The popular conservative approach as it relates to civil liberties and rights government should keep out and leave citizens to devise their own means to ends . If governments continue to step in and help people will lose their independence and would want the government to intervene every time on their behalf (Druckman et.al, 2006). More importantly, as it relates to civil rights and liberty of the poor America the poor must get out and find jobs. Government should not provide unemployment benefits. The unemployed must devise a way of earning an income in a time of an unemployment hike. Helping the poor must be voluntary gesture. However, while not the helping the poor is advocated by conservative ideology human life is sacred and abortion must be regulated by the governments since a woman does not have that power of choice over her body (Druckman et.al, 2006) .

Foreign and defense matters

Michael Doyle (2013) advances that liberalism reflects in foreign policy by appreciating individuals’ ideas and ideals as it relates to war, human rights, democracy and social forces. It is interpreting the people’s voice as to how these elements affect international relationships (Doyle, 2013) . Further, liberalists contend that the country is not just an isolated piece of land, but importantly part of the world, which embraces the globalization concept. Protecting the country in isolation without due consideration of the presence of a global society is not priority (Brown, 2005). Hence, conducting profiling and application of intelligence data in identifying passengers to be subject of strategic screening is mandatory. Potential terrorists are presently profiled Islamic/Muslim men. They are between the 18-38 years. The belief is that United States and not United Nations is the global peace force. As such, United States should stay clear of United Nation’s influence (Brown, 2005).

Lifestyle

Citizens have the right to choose their distinct life styles according to their values. These lifestyles must be protected from discriminatory responses through legislation enacted by the rule of law. For example, the right of choosing to be gay or straight; have an abortion or keep a pregnancy; live in a mansion or the projects. Protecting the country in isolation without due consideration of the presence of a global society is not priority (Brown, 2005).Hence, conducting profiling and application of intelligence data in identifying passengers to be subject of strategic screening is mandatory. Potential terrorists are presently profiled Islamic/Muslim men. They are between the 18-38 years old . The belief is that United States and not United Nations is the global peace force. As such, United States should stay clear of United Nation’s influence (Brown, 2005).

Conservatives advocate that people must confirm to the law of the land, which reflects values of the elite. Hence, liberties and freedoms of individuals become submerged in the law of the land. Citizens must confirm to the majority culture and minority cultures are lost. For example, the cultural values of Native Americans (Brown, 2005).

Description of personal ideological views.

My personal ideological views are neither completely conservative nor liberal. As it pertains to the economy capitalistic models could be undertaken, but the state must protect consumers from monopolistic relationships. People ought to work when employment is available. However, there are many working poor in America. What do we do allow them? Let them to starve and refuse them health care. These are some of my concerns regarding the Conservatists approach towards the working poor and the economy.

A society ought to express civil rights and civil liberties. However, society must be protected from those who may misinterpret their civil rights and liberties to demonstrate them by affecting the rights of others. Foreign and defense matters are essential. We must secure borders from illegal immigrants and terrorist, but what kind of foreign policy we have for 11million undocumented people to be in this country? I think this is ridiculous and it speaks highly of a dysfunctional foreign and defense ideology. Maybe this is why no weapons of mass destruction could have been found in Iran. Finally, people ought to be free to pursue life styles according to their values once they don’t impose them on the wider society.

References

Brown, W. (2005). Edgework: critical essays on knowledge and politics. Princeton University Press

Druckman, J. Green, D., & Kuklinski, J. (2011). Cambridge Handbook of Experimental Political Science. New York: Cambridge University Press

Doyle, M. (2013). .Introduction to Liberalism: Liberalism and Foreign Policy. School of International and Public Affairs.

Lock, P. (2006). Edmund Burke. Clarendon Press, 2006).