I think this would be an interesting discussion. We all obviously believe very strongly in what we believe - I'm curious to know why. Was it how we were raised? Experiences we have had? People we've met? Were our families politically informed or didn't they care?
I was raised in a pretty politically active family. My folks used to attend Labor party rallies when I was younger (yes, my claim to fame as a child was being kissed by Bob Hawke...lol) and I was always raised to be pretty much of a leftie. Not so much as I am now, though. My Dad's quite conservative and my middle brother is certainly a capitalist...lol.
I was reasonably politically aware (in that I made my own decisions about who to vote for) during my 20s but most of that time I was caught up in my miserable marriage and didn't give it much time or thought.
It wasn't until I met the Chesboy and his family and started learning so much from him and his Mum in particular that I really cemented my political ideology and became quite clear in my own mind where I stood. I guess that also happens with age and motivation to learn, but he has probably had the most significant recent impact on my way of thinking.
It wasn't until I joined this site that I decided to quantify my views and so I suppose I would identify most with the ideology of
social democracy. When I'm joking around I call myself a socialist but I'm not, really. I have some pretty conservative views on some things (namely, abortion) but certainly not on others.
I'd really like to hear how the rest of you developed your own political identity.