LIBERALS VERSUS CONSERVATIVES - ARE ATTITUDES TOWARD GOVERNMENT RELATED TO EXPERIENCES WITH GOVERNMENT

Attitudes toward local, state, and federal governments were studied in 25 liberals and 25 conservatives who had shown a social interest in politics by making financial contributions to political parties. Their positive or negative experiences with these governments were also assessed. Consistent with Katz et al. (1975), the subjects tended to hold negative views of government even if their personal experiences were positive. Thus, rewarding experiences do not necessarily lead to positive views toward the object of reward. However, this was more true of the liberals than of the conservatives.