In politics, ideology means everything. In politics, ideology is constantly changing. Older political movements of the left, right and center are developing into distinctive entities, or are gradually falling off the political map. Newer political movements are fighting their way into importance with bold ideas and extreme platforms. Therefore, it is very important to identify where your ideology fits in politically. One way to do this is to understand your political typology. After answering the questionnaire / survey on the Pew Research Website, I was very surprised by the results. I have always considered myself a moderate independent. I would even go as far as stating the when I was younger I leaned a bit more to a liberal point of view. However, imagine my surprise when the results of my survey stated that based on the answers to the questions, I fit into the social conservative group.
Social Conservatives represent eleven (11) percent of the American public and thirteen (13) percent of registered voters. Social Conservatives are one of three core Republican groups. Out of these Social Conservatives 82% are registered Republicans, and 18% are registered Independent/No Preference. Social Conservatives are predominantly white (91%), female (58%) and the oldest of all groups (average age is 52 with 47% being 50 or older), nearly half live in the south. Most Social Conservatives attend church weekly (53%) and 43% are white evangelical Protestants. In the past Social Conservatives would have been called Moralists or Moderate Republicans.
Social Conservatives are fairly more religious than Enterprisers are. Half of Social Conservatives cite newspapers as a main source of news; the Fox News Channel (34%) and network evening news (30%) are their primary TV news sources. Social Conservatives are supportive of an assertive foreign policy and very conservative on social and cultural issues. In policy terms, they split from the Enterprisers in their pessimistic views of business, reserved support for environment and other regulation and strong anti-immigrant sentiment. (Pew Research Center, 2005)
The Social Conservative values are very deep-rooted on social issues ranging from gay marriage to abortion. They support a firm foreign policy and oppose government assistance for the needy, believing people need to make it on their own thorough hard work and perseverance. Social Conservatives are concerned about influence of immigrants on American society. They tend to be more middle-of-the-road on economic and domestic policies, expressing some doubt about business power and profits, and some support for government regulation to safeguard the environment. While Social Conservatives are not significantly more affluent than the rest of the nation, most articulate strong feelings of financial satisfaction and wellbeing. (Pew Research Center, 2005)
According to the Pew Research Center, Social Conservatives key beliefs compared to the general population are as follows:
Key Beliefs: | General Population | Social Conservatives |
Homosexuality is a way of life that should be discouraged by society | 44% | 65% |
The growing number of newcomers from other countries threatens traditional American customs and values | 40% | 68% |
Poor people today have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return | 34% | 68% |
Business corporations make too much profit | 54% | 66% |
After taking this questionnaire, I can see that there are many issues that I agree with that would point me towards being a Social Conservative Republican. I favor private social security accounts. I think they are not for everyone but their should be an option. I oppose Affirmative action. I think everyone should get a job or position because they have the right qualifications, not because they are a woman, black or Hispanic. I would not want to be hired just because I am a woman. I have no problem with allowing oil drilling in Alaska or off the Gulf Coast. We need to be less reliant on other countries for our oil. I think that creationism should be taught along with evolution in public schools. If they can teach the theory of evolution, why not teach other theories as well. I oppose Gay/Lesbian Marriage. I feel that a marriage is between a man and a woman, not between a man and a man or a woman and a woman. I have no problem with civil unions but do not call it marriage. I support the war in Iraq and think the troops should stay over there until the job is done. I support the patriot act. I think we need to do what we have to do to make sure our country is secure. Personally, I would rather give up a few liberties and be safe. However, there are many issues where I feel the opposite. I am somewhat against torturing enemy combatants. Our enemies would think nothing of torturing us but I think that we are better than they are. There are other ways to get the information without acting like them. I am totally opposed to Government run universal health care coverage. I have not yet heard a plan that I think would work effectively and Health Care Insurance companies are a billion dollar a year profit companies, I can’t see them giving up with out a big fight. I am pro-choice and feel that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned, but I do support not allowing minors abortions without parental consent. I am not a big fan of the Leave no Child behind act. This act was supposed to help children get a better education, but I feel that in reality what it does is push kids ahead without them having a proper foundation in the basics. We need better education programs in this country and schools need to be held accountable for what their students are or are not learning. So, I found it rather surprising that I would be a social conservative because I thought I was pretty down the middle in my political topography.
I am unsure if Social Conservatives or any of the political topology groups have a future for political success. Our opinions on ideology seem to change very quickly. I think currently that most people vote according to their party. Many independents / non-party affiliations end up voting the lesser of two evils. I really do not think that this will change anytime soon unless politicians start becoming more bi-partisan. According to the Pew Research Center “The extensive divisions within the two parties over fundamental political values are mirrored in disagreements over contemporary issues. Economic issues tend to divide Republican typology groups, while social issues split the Democrats. On many national security issues, especially the war in Iraq, internal partisan fissures are overshadowed by the vast gulf dividing Republicans and Democrats. However, tensions are evident among Democrats on some of these issues, especially in attitudes toward preemptive military action and the use of torture against suspected terrorists.” (Pew Research Center, 2005)
In my opinion, the major impact on political parties and elections is how our country is divided by party lines. Most of the major issues are divided right down the middle by party lines. There will be issues that will concern all of us at some point in time. Major issues such as Social Security reform and Healthcare reform need to be dealt with in the near future before things get out of hand. Another major issue we need to deal with is our economy and high gasoline prices. We always hear the campaign promises each politician makes. Each one promised this or that if they get elected. I cannot see how anyone can believe anything that politicians say. How many of them actually can keep those promises. Do they just say what they think we want to hear during an election year or do they truly believe that they can get our deeply divided senate and congress to agree on anything? Our Senate and Congress need to work together through bipartisanship not along party lines. I feel that they are the problem not the President. No matter who gets elected in November 2008, I do not think that it will change a thing. The parties will still be divided. Our legislature need to work together not against each other or against the President. They need to do what is right for the citizens of this nation. If both parties do not start working together using bi-partisanship then I cannot see how any important issues will be solved in a timely manner if solved at all.
References
Pew Research Center, (2005). Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 10, 2008, from Beyond Red or Blue: The 2005 Political Typology Web site:http://typology.people-press.org/typology/
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