WHO AM I? WHAT IS MY IDEOLOGY?

After taking the "People-Press" political ideology test, I was described as a 'Market Skeptic Republican'.

As someone reigning from a very liberal and progressive city but coming from a very moderate household, I wasn't too surprised by the result.

Market Skeptic Republicans carry the majority of Republican beliefs. This includes but is not exclusive to:

• Low taxation
• Protection of the state's and individual's rights
• Allowance for immigration, but discouraging illegal immigration

On the other hand, a Market Skeptic Republican is very unlike the rest of the Republican Party because of 2 beliefs:

• The American economic system unfairly favors the powerful & wealthy
• Corporate America makes an unjust amount of profit

These beliefs are all generally conservative but aren't exclusive to the GOP.

The GOP isn't the only party present in America though, in fact, there is one party in particular that holds heavy contrasts in beliefs compared to the Republican party.

THE DEMOCRATS (AND OTHER POLITICAL TYPOLOGIES)

Now, the GOP isn't the only relevant party or political ideology in America. As a matter of fact there is an opposing party that is almost always in disagreement with the Republican party and their conservative views. The Democratic Party and the Republican Party have been at odds for hundreds of years in America, always finding new ways to debate one another's policies. For example, a Solid Liberal would vote in favor of WA's new bill 1631, adding a tax for corporations emitting an excessive amount of carbon. This is because liberals tend to be very concerned about the environment and aren't against adding new taxes for Americans. While a Core Conservative or Market Skeptic would vote against the addition of a tax increasing taxes. (Although Market Skeptics believe businesses make too much profit).

But it is very important to note not all people who lie on the right side of political ideology agree with each other on all issues. More specifically someone who falls in the same political typology as me (Market Skeptic Republican) can have contrasting views with a Core Conservative. For example, Core Conservatives are more likely to believe that the American economic system is generally fair for all Americans, while a Market Skeptic Republican or a Solid Liberal would most likely believe that the American economic system is unfairly in favor of wealthy business owners.

All in all, there is a wide range of political ideologies, some more conservative, others more liberal, but there is no definite set of beliefs for either side of the political spectrum.

WHERE DO THESE IDEAS COME FROM???

Now all these ideas have to come from somewhere right? And why are there so many perspectives on American politics? All these ideas come from the process of Political Socialization. Political socialization is "[the] process by which individuals learn and frequently internalize a political lens framing their perceptions of how power is arranged and how the world around them is (and should be) organized" (Glasberg, D., Political sociology: oppression, resistance, and the state). These experiences and interactions result in how you will define yourself and how you and other people should behave in the political, economic, and social field. 

Agents of socialization are the main contributors to influence and shape people's political and economic values. These include but are not exclusive to:

• Family: Probably the most key contributor in early development; Family often is the decider in how children identify and their political knowledge. There are many factors to this i.e. : parenting style, political discussion, family political identification.
• Schools: Schools in the United States often teach a very nationalistic and pro-capitalism curriculum that can mold political views.
• Religion: Religion often times sets ethical norms and practices that can shape your perspective on political policies.
• State: The state plays a key role in political socialization as they control many outlets of information. This means they have the ability to both inform and misinform through the public press to the people.