American Political Ideologies Glossary

A political ideology favoring limited government, free-market economics, traditional social values, individual responsibility, and gradual rather than radical social change.

A political ideology supporting government intervention to reduce economic inequality, protect civil rights, and promote social progress through regulation, social programs, and progressive taxation.

A political ideology emphasizing maximum individual liberty and minimal government intervention in both economic and personal affairs, opposing government regulation across all domains.

The increasing ideological distance between political parties and their supporters, characterized by fewer moderate views, declining bipartisan cooperation, and intensifying partisan hostility.

A model for representing different political positions along a continuum. The traditional one-dimensional model places liberalism on the left and conservatism on the right; multi-dimensional models add social freedom and authoritarian axes.

A political approach that frames politics as a struggle between ordinary people and a corrupt elite establishment. It can manifest across the ideological spectrum with both left-wing and right-wing variants.