What political ideology is most American?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 06:54:59 -0400

Look at the chart in the picture. Think about your own thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Think about traditional mainstream American values. What political ideology would you say is the most American? How has it changed over time in our country? What other thoughts do you have on this?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Aug 27 at 2015 6:56 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 06:56:28 -0400

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 27 at 2015 7:25 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:25:13 -0400

Although I am a very strong advocate for the Separation of Church and State to say that the Catholics Church's teachings of Social Justice are not the cornerstone of my Political and Social beliefs, I would be lying. No getting away from it. I am the son of Two Lay Ministers in the Catholic Faith and my Mother wrote the Craft Book that was used in US Catholic Sunday School for Years.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 27 at 2015 7:48 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:48:39 -0400

I would say that with the Generation Y types at least, their political ideology is "let's vote for whoever is the coolest person and will give me the most free stuff..." Or would that fall under individualism?

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 27 at 2015 8:51 AM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:51:29 -0400

I would say that communitarianism is the most American. We are the 'United' States of America, and our origins are entrenched in having a United front to fight oppression. Currently, I feel like we have more of an individualist ideology. I'm not particularly fond of the individualism concepts, because it focuses more of what's best for individual citizens often at the expense of other individuals and the community.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 9:12 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:12:11 -0400

I think that your chart is the most "American" ideology. One of the great things about this country is that our citizens can believe in what the choose. You even have the right to ignore your neighbor and let him believe his thing or you can attempt to force your thoughts on him.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Aug 27 at 2015 12:32 PM

COL Ted Mc — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:32:41 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver - Captain; The US has traditionally been "Community Focused" (socially) and "Individually Focused" (economically).

The actual determination would have to be determined on HOW MUCH emphasis is placed on each of those factors.

Thus either "Communitarianism", "Centrism", or "Right-ism" COULD be the "most American" ideology.

One factor that the graphic doesn't make explicit is "How is 'community' defined?" and, from my point of view I see a society which is defining "community" more and more narrowly to the point where it is no longer a society but rather an ad hoc banding together of individual communities which happen to be spatially co-located.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 27 at 2015 2:38 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:38:53 -0400

I'm almost afraid to look at the responses to this question. Will the majority agree with me or have the progressives achieved their goal to fundamentally change America? Once upon a time I would have been confident in their answer: Individualism. It is the ideology that has fashioned my very existence. It is the ideology that allowed America to come into existence and grow and prosper. Our nation thrived because We the People thrived unfettered by communal concerns. Our communities were the aggregate of who we were as individuals. Our wealth was the aggregate of our individual labors to create wealth. Our government was merely a tool that allowed us to combine and cooperate to protect our individual rights and liberties. I know that sounds alien to many who don't have a deep perspective of our history, but that's how it once was. If individualism is no longer our shared ideology, then America no longer exists. We are something else. Okay, now I'll look...