Politics: What Do You Believe and Why?

Have you ever thought about what your political beliefs actually are and what has influenced you informing those opinions? If you have, you've thought about your political ideology and political socialization.

What your political beliefs are refers to your political ideology--your belief about the proper role of government in society. The process through which you form those beliefs is called political socialization. And, throughout that process, there are various things along the way that influence us. These are called agents of political socialization. There are many of them, including family, the media, education, age, and race.

So, what do you believe and what has influenced you along the way? I can't help in determining what your influential agents have been; that's for you to think about. I can, however, help you in determining your political ideology. Take this political ideology quiz to determine where you fall along the political spectrum.

I have my students take this quiz, and many are surprised by their results. Are you surprised by yours?