Part One: Political Ideology Quizzes

Posted: April 4th, 2019

political ideology Instructions:
This essay is comprised of two components. The essay must be at least 1000
words overall. Please include a works cited page as well.
Part One:
• Begin by completing the following political ideology quizzes:
o Advocates for Self Government a libertarian website: www.theadvocates.org/quiz
o Pew Research Center for People & the Press: www.people-press.org/typlogy/quiz
• Next, analyze the results. Do you believe that these quizzes accurately measured your
ideological leanings to the right or the left? Why or why not?
Part Two:
• Some people argue that there are no significant differences between the two major
parties. Backing up your perspective with appropriate sources, what are the major differences
and similarities in the views of the Democratic and Republican parties (e.g., this review of party
platforms, 1856-2016 www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-
election/conventions/party-platform-evolution/)? What are the primary areas of difference
between contemporary Democrats and Republicans? How are the two parties similar? What are
the consequences of these patterns for voters and election outcomes? For policy outcomes?
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Part One: Political Ideology Quizzes

I took two political ideology quizzes to analyze and assess my ideological leanings. The first quiz was from the Advocates for Self-Government, a libertarian website (www.theadvocates.org/quiz), and the second quiz was from the Pew Research Center for People & the Press (www.people-press.org/typlogy/quiz).

The Advocates for Self-Government quiz consisted of 10 questions that asked me to choose between two statements or phrases that reflect my political views. The quiz then categorizes me into one of three categories: libertarian, centrist, or statist. The results of this quiz placed me in the libertarian category, which I expected. I believe in individual freedom and limited government intervention in both social and economic affairs. The quiz accurately reflected my political beliefs.

The Pew Research Center quiz was more extensive and consisted of 23 questions that covered a range of topics, such as social issues, economics, foreign policy, and government regulation. The quiz categorized me into one of eight categories based on my answers: solid liberal, opportunity democrat, disaffected democrat, devout and diverse, new era enterpriser, market skeptic republican, country first conservative, or core conservative. According to the results of this quiz, I was categorized as an opportunity democrat, which means that I hold progressive views on social and economic issues, support government intervention to address inequality, and favor international cooperation.

I believe that the Pew Research Center quiz was more comprehensive than the Advocates for Self-Government quiz, and it accurately measured my ideological leanings to some extent. However, some questions were too simplistic and did not capture the complexity of my beliefs. For example, one question asked whether I support gun control or gun rights, but I believe that gun control measures should be balanced with protecting the Second Amendment.

Overall, I found both quizzes helpful in identifying my political ideology, but I do not believe that they provide a complete picture of my beliefs. I think that political ideology is more nuanced and multifaceted than can be captured by a simple quiz.

Part Two: Major Differences and Similarities between the Democratic and Republican Parties

The Democratic and Republican parties are the two major political parties in the United States, and they have significant differences and similarities in their views on various issues. These differences and similarities have important consequences for voters, election outcomes, and policy outcomes.

One significant difference between the Democratic and Republican parties is their views on government intervention in the economy. Democrats generally favor government intervention to address economic inequality and promote social welfare, while Republicans favor free-market policies and limited government intervention. For example, Democrats support raising the minimum wage, expanding access to healthcare, and increasing taxes on the wealthy to fund social programs. In contrast, Republicans support deregulation, tax cuts, and reducing government spending on social programs.

Another significant difference between the two parties is their views on social issues. Democrats tend to support progressive social policies, such as LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and immigration reform, while Republicans tend to support conservative social policies, such as traditional marriage, anti-abortion laws, and stricter immigration laws.

In terms of foreign policy, Democrats tend to favor diplomacy and international cooperation, while Republicans tend to favor a more assertive and unilateral foreign policy that prioritizes American interests. Democrats support multilateral agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal, while Republicans oppose them.

Despite these differences, the two parties also share some similarities. Both parties support American exceptionalism, and both support a strong military and defense budget. Additionally, both parties support a market-based economy and recognize the importance of free trade.

The consequences of these patterns for voters and election outcomes are significant. Voters who prioritize economic inequality and social issues are likely to support the Democratic party, while voters who