The Political Spectrum

What is the purpose of the government? To organize society for the common action so that the needs of every individual are met. Economic needs Food, Shelter, Employment, Trade Social Needs Health care, welfare, education Legal Needs Law and order, national defense

What is an Ideology? a body of beliefs that guide how an organization or individual approaches making decisions

Freedom and Equality Freedom Equality Freedom Equality Balancing act The belief that the rights of each individual in society are important Equality The belief that all individuals should be treated the same Balancing act Governments attempt to balance freedom and equality political ideologies have different beliefs regarding the importance of freedom and equality Freedom Equality

The Political Spectrum A line in which various political ideologies and political parties are placed The line has a centre, a left side and a right side. Each end of the line represents an extreme political belief while the centre is associated with more moderate beliefs. Centre Left Right

Where do forms of government fit? The Centre of the political spectrum is associated with the democratic form of government The state exists to serve the citizens Canada has a representative democracy, where we, the citizens, are represented by elected officials. The ends of the line, right and left, are both totalitarian in form. The state exercises total control in this form of government The individual exists to serve the state Totalitarian Democratic Totalitarian

What does each end of The Political Spectrum believe?

Left side Right side Democratic beliefs are located in the centre, inside the circle support tradition and oppose change in society support economic equality and change or progress in society Conservatism Communism Socialism Fascism extreme left is associated with communism extreme right is associated with fascism Liberalism

Political spectrum LEFT RIGHT PERSPECTIVES ON THE LEFT FAVOUR SOCIAL EQUALITY AND PUBLIC GOOD, AND BELIEVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ACTIVELY USED AS A TOOL TO IMPROVE SOCIETY EQUALITY FREEDOM GOVERNMENT INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC PRIVATE LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE PROGRESSIVE TRADITIONAL SOCIETY ECONOMY PERSPECTIVES ON THE RIGHT FAVOUR WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND BELIEVE THAT SOME GOVERNMENT IS NECESSARY, BUT THAT ITS POWERS SHOULD NOT LIMIT INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS

LEFT POLITICAL ISSUE RIGHT EQUALITY ACTIVELY PROTECT LARGER FIX THINGS SOCIETY PERSONAL FREEDOM HIGHER DOWNTRODDEN MULTICULTURALISM FREEDOM VS. EQUALITY RIGHTS SIZE OF GOVERNMENT ROLE OF GOVERNMENT FOCUS OF GOVERNMENT GOAL OF GOVERNMENT TAXES HOMELESS CULTURE FREEDOM DON’T INTERFERE SMALLER LEAVE THINGS ALONE INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC FREEDOM LOWER NO WORK ETHIC NATIONALISM

With a partner, decide what each side of the political spectrum would say about the following political issues. Be prepared to justify your reasoning! Left Political issue right Social + economic victims Accept as many as we can Help those who can’t help themselves Universal health care Pro choice Fairness Legalize it – choice is personal Criminals Syrian refugees Social assistance Health care Abortion Justice Legalization of marijuana Choose to be victims Control who enters the country No work ethic Privately funded Pro life Law + order Don’t legalize it – no choice

Liberalism and conservatism Liberals were believers in the progress of good men with reform liberals accepting more government intervention in the economy Conservatives were not as optimistic about mankind but strongly supported economic freedom.

Political parties political parties derive their beliefs from the basic political ideologies democratic political parties are found inside the circle at the centre of the political spectrum. political parties may be left or right of the centre. they are not fixed in one location but may move left or right depending on current public opinion. Canada has political parties at both the federal and provincial level Many parties are the same at the federal and provincial level with a few exceptions, ex. Bloc Quebecois Federal political parties include: Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic Party, bloc Quebecois, and Green Party.

National political parties Left Right Liberal NDP Conservative Green Party Bloc Quebecois

Where do you fall on the political spectrum? Political spectrum on issues Complete the political spectrum worksheet Take the quiz/quizzes to determine where you fall on the political spectrum. Complete the political spectrum response (submit to moodle)