American Political Ideology

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Factors that have influenced the development of my political ideology
Works Cited

Introduction

Political ideology is a set of ideals, attitudes, and behaviors that play a big role in influencing individuals’ inclination towards the dominant political parties in a country. The political culture in the American society has been characterized by issues concerning liberty, equality, the rule of law, nationalism, democracy, and capitalism among others. Two main political parties, viz. the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, have dominated the American political system.

As an American citizen, I have always associated with the Democratic Party. I have developed loyalty towards the Democratic Party based on its indiscriminate push for equality in society because advocate equality in the society. Reference groups including my family members and colleagues have influenced my beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions towards the party. This paper highlights my political ideology as a Democrat and the factors that have contributed to the making of this decision.

The claims that most Catholics from the working class families are probably Democrats are unfounded. Over the recent years, Catholics have developed a negative attitude towards the Democratic Party. Catholics are switching their political allegiance due to the Democrats’ campaigns in support of same-sex marriages and the legalization of abortion. According to Hendershott, as from 2008, there has been an emerging trend whereby Catholics leaning towards the Republican side (par. 1).

Currently, 53% of the white Catholics are affiliated with the Republican Party while 39% are associated with the Democratic Party (Hendershott par. 1). Most Latinos hold that the Democratic Party is highly concerned about minority issues as opposed to the Republican Party. Therefore, the claims that Latinos are affiliated with the Democratic Party are true. This aspect can be attributed to the view that the majority of the Latinos support the legalization of abortion, unlike the Catholics.

Factors that have influenced the development of my political ideology

Gender

Women play a significant role in the development of any society. In the past, women have been marginalized with emphasis being on the boy child. Over the years, the Democratic Party has attracted more female followers as compared to their male counterparts. The main reason behind this emerging trend is perhaps due to the realization that the party is more concerned with women issues as compared to the Republican Party.

The party has been strongly advocating equality between men and women in all life aspects including education, employment, and remuneration among other issues. I am a strong supporter of equality, and thus my loyalty towards the Democratic Party has grown with the development of the policies that support women by safeguarding and promoting egalitarianism.

Race and ethnicity

Human behavior is highly subject to what people learn from the society, and this assertion is evident in the American political culture because people mainly associate with the two main political parties based on race. For instance, African Americans and Mexican Americans are mostly associated with the Democratic Party (O’Connor, Sabato, and Yanus 321). These groups tend to prefer the Democratic Party as its policies support immigrants.

Currently, the US hosts around 11 million illegal immigrants. Apparently, immigration is one of the most divisive and controversial issues in the US today. Due to their liberal stance on immigration, the Democrats believe that the practice contributes to cultural diversity as people from different parts of the globe meet, interact, and learn about the different cultures in the process. On the other hand, Republicans are divided on the issue of immigration, as some believe that it should be limited for it endangers the cultural future of the country.

Originally, the immigration law only allowed certain immigrants of different nationalities to enter the US legally, but this stance changed in 1965 when the national origin quota system was wiped out (Aleinikoff et al. 42). I support the strategic plan of the Democratic Party for there is a need to fix the broken immigration system and give people an opportunity to become American citizens legally. Millions of illegal immigrants will benefit since they will come out in the open to register and start playing important roles like paying taxes, which helps in the improvement of the country’s economic development.

Religion

Religion plays a critical role in the shaping of people’s political ideologies. Most people ascribe to a certain religion. Therefore, they form their political ideologies and allegiances depending on whether the political party in question supports or contravenes the values enshrined in one’s religion. The campaign by the Democratic Party towards the legalization of abortion and supporting same-sex marriage has tainted the party’s image.

Consequently, conservative people from different religious denominations especially Protestants and Catholics have shifted to the Republican Party (O’Connor, Sabato, and Yanus 350). Being a protestant has not affected my loyalty to Democratic Party for I believe that women have a right to terminate their pregnancies legally.

Socio-economic status

The US is characterized by an ordered division of upper, middle, and lower social classes whose members share similar values and interests. The culture of the upper class associating with the Republican Party and lower class belonging to the Democratic Party has influenced my political ideology as a Democrat.

Works Cited

Aleinikoff, Thomas, David Martin, Hiroshi Motomura, and Maryellen Fullerton. Immigration and Nationality Laws of the United States: Selected Statutes, Regulations and Forms, St Paul: West Academic Publishing, 2014. Print.

Hendershott, Anne. “Catholics Beginning to Move Away from the Democratic Party.” The Catholic World Report. 2014. Web.

O’Connor, Karen, Larry Sabato, and Alixandra Yanus. American Government: Roots and Reform, New York: Pearson Longman, 2011. Print.

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