common topics, common places, ideologies

ideology: sets of beliefs, values. ideas that shape how some one views the world.

Ex: feminism, conservatism, liberalism, humanism, communism, capitalism, libertarianism, environmentalism

Common Topic: specific procedures/set of questions for generating arguments (heuristics)

Common Place: unstated ideas, statements that help to shape an ideology. Unstated premises that help to construct an ideology.

Examples from pg 130: Self-help, truth telling, altruism, frontier, faith in "God" guides the nation, patriotism, loyalty national flag...vague principles, myths, "traditional values", something ppl can take "comfort" in.

Who is more conservative? Why?
Hirsch is more conservative because of his consistent ideas of patriotism, tradition, honorable to your country. Zinn is more liberal because he is more philosophical, raises questions to debate and think about.

*common places are frequently resorted to in popular rhetoric*
*they provide the terms within which American discourse works*

ideologic: arguments that are made by stringing together commonplaces.

"Keep Austin Weird"
1. An "ideal" city is a "weird" city.
2. A weird city has lots of heterogeneity people, shops, ideas, cultures..
3. Austin is a weird city.
4. Homogeneity is not weird.
5. Box stores corporations promote homogeneity.
6. Government should promote what is unique in a city rather than what is "the same."
7. Austin policy should keep lots of stores here rather than inviting in corporations.


"Guns Don't Kill People; People Kill People"
1. Guns don't do anything on their own.
2. Government's job is to protect community.
3. People are inherently good or bad.
4. Good people will follow laws, bad people will ignore laws.
5. Responsible people should be given rights; irresponsible people forfeit their rights.
6. Gun ownership is an inherent American right.
7. Government should create legislation that targets criminals alone, not the tools they use to commit crimes.