Political Socialization and Ideology - Essay Example

? Political Socialization and Ideology Political Socialization and Ideology INTRODUCTION: As humans it is quite natural for us to involve amongst each, share each other's issues and concern, mutually cooperate and work together in order to form a stable society that is governed on principles of fraternity, brotherhood, equality, collaboration, peace and love. When a society is formed then the need arises which requires individuals to have some sort of governance and leadership in order to maintain and regulate peace within the region. This is the point where politics emerges and individuals start to develop their cognition and understanding of politics and how it functions. As an American I believe that politics is a very essential component of our lives. It shapes an individual and develops patriotism. Today the government is trying its best to make lifestyle better for all Americans. I personally support the Republican government as it allows individuals belonging to all classes of the society to reach the parliament house and advocate the public there. SURVEY RESULTS In order to evaluate my political typology I undertook the Pew Typology Quiz. The purpose of this quiz was to help in determining my political preference. The quiz was developed in such a manner that it would help in accessing a person's political typology by answering the questions provided. The format used in the quiz comprises of statements amongst which one had to choose what suited him/her best. The quiz basically covered all aspects involved to determine what political bracket one falls. The statements incorporated, religion, business, environment, lifestyle, racial discrimination, social welfare etc. through which the analysis was done. Further in the latter half of the quiz ones political choice regarding the Republican, democrat and independent form of government was also asked. My personal result was a main street Republican which according to the survey 11% of all people residing in America are. I quite agree to the analysis made by the Pew Typology quiz as most of the characteristics that are of main street republicans are quite similar to my personality traits. This is "A second core group of Republicans – Main Street Republicans – also is conservative, but less consistently so." (Standers,Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology) TYPOLOGY AND DEMOGRAPHICS: Yes, my demographics match those with the typical person in my quiz. The majority of the traits that are present in a main street republican that is I am very critical and observant about how the government functions in American society. I believe in religion and the values that come along with it therefore I completely oppose marriages of the same sex and abortions. I do not find charm in greed and hence business does not enamor me much. I support all the efforts made by the government in order to protect this environment. And finally I have faith in labor as hard work always pays off irrespective of how crucial the circumstances might be. The only point that I disagree over is when it comes to my typology is that I support social welfare programs to an extent. There are many Americans who are in need of support by the government to make both ends meet, therefore such programs should regulate.Lastly I do support immigrants as through their efforts there have been positive benefits to our current economy. The main street republican group thus closely matches my typology. ANALYSIS OF MY SURVEY RESULTS Like I mentioned previously that my results are quite agreeable with only a few reservations that I have regarding them. My result stated that I am a main street republican which is the best group they could put me too. Since I support the Republican government and I totally side them with most of the characteristics they believe I possess. A "Main Street Republicans differ from Staunch Conservatives in the degree of their conservatism and in their skepticism about business. They are socially and fiscally conservative but supportive of government efforts to protect the environment." (Little, 2012) Being a republican I am quite content with my lifestyle and the state policies. Although I condemn acts of abortion and same sex marriages and hence believe that stricter laws need to be incorporated in order to propagate religion within the state."The Republicans have long been seen as the best party for the interests of business." (Sanders, 1992) On the contrary I disagree to the belief many republicans have against the immigrants. Immigrants today are doing their best today in order to shape the economy of America. They leave their native lands in order to serve our nation hence they should be respected and given their due rights. In the same way those who cannot fulfill their basic necessities should be given some form of aid. This is the job of the government. What needs to be done is that a strict criteria needs to be made in order to determine who actually comes in the criteria of needy. POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION: Political socialization is basically the process an individual undergoes during the age bracket of 12 -30. During this time an individual builds up his political understanding, behavior and attitude. It inculcates the values required to build up a strong political system which is then transmitted from one generation to the other. It is through the efforts which determine an individual's political culture, affiliation and cognition. (Faulks, 1999) I believe family, ethnicity and religion are the three major areas that have the greatest impact in the life of every individual. Since all these factors are interlinked and family is the first place where child learns and adopts therefore it is most likely that a person will develop his political belief and actions through learning from his family, his ethnicity and through what his religion preaches about it. POLITICAL ISSUES: The first political issue I would like to mention here which concerns me as a Republican is America's involvement in Pakistan to fight off terrorism. I understand that terrorism is a universal issue and one should do its best to counter it but despite that America itself has a crime rate which is increasing constantly in the year 2012 the crime level rose to 22 percent which is quite alarming. (Freiden& Producer, CNN).Thus America should work on combating evil forces within the region than in Pakistan or other third world countries. Secondly I believe unemployment is one of the major concerns that have risen in the passage of time. The unemployment factor has certainly dented the economy and acts as a catalyst in increasing crimes. Today unemployment is basically due to recession. More opportunities need to be given to individuals with potential so that the economy benefits from it as well as individuals abstain from involving into crimes or indulge in unethical stuff in order to sustain and make both ends meet. Those who claim that recession has ended need to know "the financial damage of the crisis and recession largely has been repaired is not justified.” CONCLUSION: The subject of political sociology and ideology is quite important as it helps individuals to understand the depth of politics and their stance over it. Politics is an integral component of every person's life as it directly or indirectly affects an individual in various manners. By studying political sociology one can easily affiliate himself to the prevailing system and do his best in order to change the system if required. As a main street republican I believe that the present system is the best way to sustain as it allows the direct involvement of public in the state affairs making it an issue of the entire nation. Certain amendments and strict laws and regulations need to be made in order to overcome prevailing social evils in the society. Thus "Greatness is rare and great men are few; but republican government puts power in the hands of many rather than few." (Berkowitz, 2003) WORKS CITED: Frieden, T., & Producer, C. J. (n.d.).U.S. violent crime up for first time in years - CNN.com. CNN.com International - Breaking, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment and Video News. Retrieved July 10, 2013, from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/17/us/violent-crime/index.html Faulks, K. (1999). Political sociology: a critical introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. US Is Still Hurting From The Recession - Business Insider. (n.d.). Business Insider. Retrieved July 13, 2013, from http://www.businessinsider.com/us-is-still-hurting-from-the-recession-2013-5 Berkowitz, P. (2003). Never a matter of indifference: sustaining virtue in a free republic. Stanford, Calif.: Hoover Institution Press. standers. "Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology | Pew Research Center for the People and the Press."Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2013.  Little, M. T. (2012). Prodigal republican: faith and politics..S.l.: West Bow Pr. Sanders, A. B. (1992). Victory: how a progressive Democratic Party can win and govern. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. Read More