Our next unit explores what creates one's political ideology and how ideology aligns with political parties and influences public policy. I described the role of "linkage institutions " such as political parties, the media ,and interest groups in connecting the citizenry with public policy makers. We then discussed how family, peers, civic organizations , and demographics shape one's political ideology. For example, we noted how during the Vietnam War, younger people were very politically active and protested the War because of the draft. On the other hand ,their parents, who may have fought in WWII, had very different ideas on the value of military service.