Saylor.org's Comparative Politics/Comparing Ideology, Policy, and Decision Making

This unit deals with ideology and decision-making tactics. We first compare five different ideologies that shape mainstream political party platforms and governance in contemporary democratic systems (conservatism, liberalism, Christian democracy, social democracy, and environmentalism). We then look at frameworks for understanding the policy process before discussing the ways in which policymakers garner feedback and use indecision strategically. The unit concludes with a focus on informal influences that shape government policy choices.