This book explains why the American public thinks of itself as conservative, but supports liberal positions on specific policy matters.

1. The meaning of ideology in America; 2. Operational ideology: data; 3. Operational ideology: the estimates; 4. Ideological self-identification; 5. The operational-symbolic disconnect; 6. Conservatism as social identity; 7. Conflicted conservatism; 8. Ideology and outcomes.

Christopher Ellis is assistant professor of Political Science at Bucknell University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously taught at North Carolina State University. His work has been published in the Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, Political Science and Politics, Electoral Studies and the Journal of Public Opinion and Parties.