Final answer:
A set of political beliefs that an individual holds about a range of issues is known as political ideology, which is formed and influenced by the process of political socialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coherent set of political beliefs that an individual may have over a range of issues is known as a political ideology. This encompasses not only the principles and doctrines that guide one's views of how government should work, but also the foundational attitudes and beliefs that help shape an individual's opinions on political theory and policy. As children, we begin to form these beliefs, which solidify into our political ideology through a complex process of political socialization influenced by family, education, media, and environmental factors. This ideology is individual, yet it links us to a larger community of people with similar views.
Political ideology can be influenced by major events or experiences and may change slightly over time. However, the core beliefs that constitute one's ideology are relatively stable. For instance, a liberal ideology typically supports government intervention and social reform, whereas a conservative ideology favors limited government intervention and values individual freedom and economic autonomy.
Political socialization and the influence of various socialization agents play a crucial role in developing one's political positions. It is within this framework that individuals form their opinions on different political issues, such as gun control, health care, and civil liberties.