Brianna Fort

Period 4
Political Ideologies in Government
Political ideologies are a coherent set of beliefs a group of people holds about
politics, public policy, and public purpose. Some people argue that different political
ideology groups such as liberals and conservatives clash and divide the government into a
dysfunctional body and that, sharp polarization into rival political camps with different
political cultures has taken place in recent years, (Wilson, Document 1). However,
political ideologies do not harm the American government and instead allow for all views
to be heard and encourages discussion about issues on the political agenda. Some people
also argue that a persons political ideology determines which political party they will
vote for, yet the different political ideologies do not affect how people vote. The
difference in political ideologies do not hinder the United States government and instead
address issues on the public agenda and create discussion on major issues, as well as
provide an array of political views.
Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government
so that policy reflects citizens preferences. In the United States citizens have the right to
their own opinion and freedom of speech, both of which are protected in the Constitution.
This means people shouldnt be discouraged to speak out for their political ideologies just
because it might cause political gridlock. According to Richard Stengel, the Constitution
allows and even encourages deep arguments about the most basic democratic issues,
(Stengel, Document 8). Stengel is mainly trying to prove the relevance of the
Constitution to today in this document, but he also points out that the American
government is in support of people voicing their views and having different opinions.
Political ideologies are, what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come

Brianna Fort
Period 4
together as a single American family, (Obama, Document 4). Although what Obama
says on political ideologies is a bit optimistic (mainly because it is from a campaign
speech) his statement enforces the idea that although Americans argue on issues, they are
all contributing their views to work towards the right solution and a better America.
Without political ideologies the United States wouldnt be a true democracy because
peoples opinions would not be reflected in public policy.
Some people reason that ideological differences create a polarization in voting
patterns. But according to Moris Fiorina, a renowned political scientist, there is little
indication that voters are polarized now or that they are becoming more polarized,
(Fiorina, Document 2). This opinion can be further supported with the ratio between
ideologies and political parties that is found in a PEW pole. In 2012, 37% of people were
conservatives and 25% voted for the Republican candidate in the election (Document 7).
Since the percentage of conservatives and republicans do not directly correlate this shows
that people are not blindly following the political party associated with their ideologies
and instead are forming their own decisions. Furthermore, a poll taken after the 2008
election said that 57% of people in the East voted for the Democratic candidate, 53% in
the Midwest, and 50% in the South (Document 10). However in the Electoral College
Results in 2008 it says that the East is mainly a Democratic area and the Midwest and
South are mainly Republican areas (Document 11). More than half of the people in the
Midwest and South voted against the demographic norm of their area, which further
supports the opinion that ideological differences-which include where people live- do not
effect voting patterns.

Brianna Fort
Period 4
People can argue that different political ideologies have a negative effect on the
United States Government, but there are more arguments and evidence in support of
differing political ideologies. Political ideologies allow for all different sides of an issue
to be fully explored and addressed. They also allow people to voice their opinions, which
is crucial in running a successful democracy. And although differences between political
ideologies can be drastic and dramatized, people should still be aloud to have their own
opinion (Horsey, Document 5). It is the right of American citizens to maintain their own
beliefs, and those beliefs do not affect the voting patterns of America and therefore
should not be attacked. Political ideologies help the government address situations, and
should be viewed as help and not a hindrance.