THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM GOV’T & POLITICS – SS11 ZAINE

A GOVERNMENT IS A SYSTEM OF RULE Too little = Chaos Too much = Totalitarianism Political Ideology – a perspective that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation Political ideologies or belief systems can be described in terms of change, economy, and freedom

THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT To organize society for common action so that the needs of every individual can be met. Economic Needs Food, shelter, employment, trade Social Needs Health care, welfare, education Legal Needs Law and Order, national defense

FREEDOM AND EQUALITY  Freedom The belief that the rights of each individual in society are of primary importance.  Equality The belief that all individuals in a society should be treated in the same way. Governments attempt to balance freedom and equality. Political ideologies have different beliefs regarding the importance of freedom and equality.

THE BALANCE OF FREEDOM & EQUALITY

THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM  The political spectrum is a line along where various political ideologies and political parties are placed  This line has a centre, a left, and a right side  The extreme ends of the line represent extreme political beliefs while the centre is associated with more moderate beliefs

THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM CONT’D The centre of the political spectrum is associated with the democratic form of government. The extreme ends of the line on both the right and the left are totalitarian in form. Totalitarian forms of government are found at the extreme ends of the political spectrum on both the left and the right. The state exercises total control in this form of government. In a totalitarian regime the individual exists to serve the state.

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SPECTRUM  The political beliefs of the left side of the spectrum support economic equality and change or progress in society  The extreme left is associated with Communism  Socialism and the Social Democratic parties are located on the left inside the circle

COMMUNISM Belief in the economic equality of all people; want to abolish all private property. Wealth is owned in a classless society by all members. Non – democratic, the gov’t controls all businesses, Disappearance of social classes to achieve full equality. ORIGINS Karl Marx wrote the ‘Communist Manifesto’ in which he indicated that economic equality would only be achieved after a violent revolution. Marx believed that the working people or proletariat would take power from their capitalist masters.

SOCIALISM Belief that society is changing and that government should engourage it. The government should control some means of production; and support government intervention in the economy to ensure that society is taken care of. Believe in economic equality but only if it can be achieved through democracy Improve society through change Mostly government business, but there are private as well Larger taxation  many services provided for people Democratic socialist political parties can be found in most modern democratic states including Canada.

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SPECTRUM  Political beliefs on the right side of the line support tradition and oppose change in society.  The extreme right is associated with Fascism.  Because the beliefs of conservatism are democratic it is located inside the circle.

FASCISM A government system run by a dictator, that has complete control. Believe in the domiance of the state over the rights of the individual. The principals of nationalism and racism are stressed to the people. Repression of all opposition and extreme nationalism. Limited economic freedom, strong government regulations Dictatorship Strong military Non-democratic ORIGINS Fascism as a political ideology began in Italy in 1922 with the regime of Benito Mussolini. In Germany the National Socialist Party led by Hitler came to power in This was a backward political philosophy which stressed militarism and racial purity.

CONSERVATISM Based on a tendancy to support gradual, rather than abrupt change. Focus is on tradition. Belief is that a system that has worked, even if not very well, is better than something untried and unknown, which might result in a turn for the worse. Strong belief in economic freedom. Belief in decreasing public and Government services Decreasing taxes Favour armies Dislike economic equality

LIBERALISM Belief that the current system is not all bad, but has some flaws. Liberals welcome change to improve society, but are more cautious about it. They feel that the government can direct and control it for human benefit. (freedom of speech, association, religion etc.) Focus in on the individual – liberties, freedoms Classic – government should not be involved in more than necessary Reform – stronger commitment to government intervention

THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

THE “ISMS” COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Give both cows to the government and they may give you some of the milk. SOCIALISM : You have two cows. Give one cow to your neighbour FASCISM: You have two cows. You give all the milk to the government, and the government sells it. CAPITALISM: You have two cows. Sell one cow and buy a bull. NAZISM: You have two cows. The government shoots you and takes both cows. ANARCHISM: You have two cows. Keep both of the cows, shoot the government agent, and steal another cow.

FORMATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES  Political parties derive their beliefs from the basic political ideologies.  In a democracy, political parties are found inside the circle at the centre of the political spectrum.  Political parties may be left or right of centre.  Political parties are not fixed in one location but may move left or right depending on current public opinion.