Author Question: Political scientists note that ideologies perform four key functions. After discussing each ... (Read 104 times)

09madisonrousseau09 · **on:** Jul 10, 2018

Political scientists note that ideologies perform four key functions. After discussing each function, decide and explain which most affects your own ideology.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why are there regional and sectional differences within the United States? Explain how these differences arose.

What will be an ideal response?

fatboyy09 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 10, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Identify and discuss the four functions political scientists attribute to ideologies: (1) Explanationideologi es help explain why political and social conditions are a certain way. (2) Evaluationideologie s provide a means for evaluating events, political institutions, and social conditions. (3) Orientationideologi es help locate issues and positions relative to some benchmark. (4) Political Programideologies help make political decisions and guide political action.
2. Make a case for which of these functions most affects your ideology.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss regional and sectional differences in the United States. Regional sectionalism can be explained based on where people settled and where they came from. For example, people who settled in Virginia and southward were largely concerned with commerce; those who settled in the Northeast were seeking religious freedom.
2. Provide examples such as Scandinavians settling in Minnesota or the Irish, Italians, and Jews settling in the Northeast. These groups brought with them views on the appropriate role of government.
3. Identify the different views across different regions of the country. Northerners were more supportive of civil rights than Southerners. Westerners were concerned with issues like free land. Some Westerners have been concerned with water rights.
4. Analyze urban and rural differences in the United States. Urban areas tend to be much more liberal than rural areas, which are more conservative.