Lesson 5: Local Candidates and Issues

Political Ideology People develop opinions about social order and how they believe things should be run in their community, their province and their country. A political ideology is a set of shared ideas or principles about how society and government should function.

Where do YOU Stand? Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? The size of government should be small with limited services so we do not have to pay a lot in taxes. The death penalty is wrong and should not be allowed for any crime. Companies that pollute our air and water should suffer consequences.

Political Spectrum The political spectrum is a tool used to compare different political ideologies. There is a left side and a right side on the spectrum. People on the left support liberal, socialist and progressive views, and a willingness to embrace change. People on the right support conservative views and tradition and are more cautious about change and innovation.

Political Parties A political party is an organized group of people who share a similar political ideology. At the local level in British Columbia there are no political parties (with a few exceptions). Candidates still have a list of ideas or goals for the community but they work independently.

Your Own Political Views Your political views are developed from your experiences, personal feelings, tastes and opinions. Your views are also shaped by talking to people whose opinions you respect, doing research in the media and by thinking about your values.

Getting to know the Candidates There are many ways to gather information about your local candidates: town hall meetings or candidate debates, radio and television advertising, newspaper and magazines, campaign offices and events, and social media. To make an informed decision, it is helpful to do some thinking about your own feelings on the topics discussed throughout the campaign.

Final Thoughts How should you evaluate candidates? What characteristics or qualifications do you expect from your local candidates? What local issues are important to you?