Evaluations of ideological labels rest on symbols more than issue positions

Evidence

Several methodological implications stem from our finding that the meaning of ideological labels is largely based on symbols rather than issues. Specifically, this finding suggests that the common method of using the liberal and conservative labels as stimuli to measure ideological or issue-oriented thinking may be misleading, For the same reason, we should also be cautious of interpretations of political change which rely on shifts in ideological identifications as an empirical indicator of changes in basic issue positions. Our findings imply that major shifts in the distribution of the public’s ideological identifications are indicative of fundamental alterations in the symbolic meaning of politics, rather than major changes in issue orientations. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2081 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The label used for a system shapes whether people maintain or resist it. — Yanis Varoufakis, Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, 453; Ideological labels function as group identities, not coherent philosophies.; Liberal and conservative labels function mainly as symbols, not issue positions (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Ideological labels carry symbolic rather than issue-based meaning for the public. #corroborates (0.95)
• Survey shifts in ideological self-identification measure symbolic meaning, not issue movement. #exemplifies (0.92) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2081