Politics Unit One: The Political Spectrum CPW4U Summer School 2016

Left Wing, Right Wing In 1789, the French National Assembly was created as a parliamentary body to move control of issues such as taxation from the king to the citizenry Up until this point, the population was divisible into three categories: First Estate (those who prayed), Second Estate (those who fought, such as nobility or aristocracy), and Third Estate (those who did labour) These three estates had not met in the Estates General, largely because King Louis IV had declared “L’état, c’est moi!” (“I am the state!”) The Estate General had to be called back due to problems such as drought and bankruptcy (the latter because France had paid for the American Revolution only for the U.S. to sign a trade agreement with Britain right after)

Left Wing, Right Wing Each estate had the same number of votes but the Third Estate routinely found itself losing because the First Estate and Second Estate always voted together The Third Estate decided to hold a meeting of its own, though some members of the nobility joined them in sympathy; they named this new meeting the National Assembly When the National Assembly tried to enter the Estates General, they were locked out and had to go to a nearby tennis court instead Inside the National Assembly, some sat on the left and some sat on the right

Left Wing, Right Wing The most radical members of the Third Estate sat of the left side of the chamber while the members of the First and Second Estates who came to join them sat on the right Thus, the left side was more liberal and the right side was more conservative — the same terms we used to this day Eventually, the “tennis court oath” to not disperse until there was a constitution was ordered dispersed by the king, at which point they became the Constituent Assembly that would play a key role in upcoming French Revolution

The Political Spectrum Today, we call the difference between left and right: the political spectrum On the left are those who want to adopt change to new political institutions or values On the right are those who want to return to ways of the past In the center are those who want to maintain the status quo

The Political Spectrum The further away people find themselves from the status quo, the more dissatisfied they are with the existing situation and the more drastic their proposed changes are Radicals are those who are extremely unhappy about the present status and favours instant, fundamental changes in society because they see society so corrupt that it can only be changed through violent upheaval — a compromise is just not possible

The Political Spectrum Liberals (not the party) are less dissatisfied with the system; they generally abide by the laws, seeking change through legal methods within the institutions we have now — but, at the same time, advocate rapid, far- reaching change to improve society Moderates are generally satisfied with the status quo and believe only minor changes are needed to be adopted, and gradually at that Conservatives (not the party) defend, rationalize and reform the system to be closer to the traditional views they have of society

The Political Spectrum Reactionaries desire a return to early, autocratic times where anyone who doesn’t like what the government does can leave Ultras are seen as fanatics — their desire for change or return is so strong that they go beyond the edges of the spectrum and off the margins of the page There are two types of ideologies which reflect the spectrum: dominant ideology and counter ideology

Dominant Ideology In western society, dominant ideologies are democracy, Capitalism and Liberalism They prescribe and support existing social and political arrangements They are dominant when most people can accept and articulate them They can be dominant because the most powerful people in society support them, but the majority or significant number may not share that support A dominant ideology enables society to control subordinate groups and those who adhere to ideologies of Socialism, Communism and Environmentalism if they are minorities within that society

Counter Ideology Counter ideologies advance reform and radical change in society Sometimes the dominant ideology in one culture can be the counter-ideology in another Counter ideologies are a response to perceived inequality which, for one reason or another, is a product of how the society thinks and behaves They challenge the status quo and threaten to discredit it so that it will lose credibility amongst its adherents Competitive interaction between dominant and counter ideologies is a reason why political change takes place in society

But where do Canada’s political parties sit on the spectrum?

Canadian Left We should change social conditions as quickly as possible Society is not bound by tradition Government should take care of needy persons directly: it has a moral obligation to do so Everyone should have equality of condition The rights of individuals have the highest priority Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government to ensure they are affordable by all

The New Democratic Party Increased harmony between federal and provincial governments Less foreign ownership, more government ownership of companies Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be in the hands of the government High taxes for the richest people and companies, lowest taxes for the poorest — because the richest have a moral obligation to help the poor Favours tax reform to force large corporations to pay a greater share of taxes that pay for social programs, like welfare and medicare

Canadian Centre Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority There are many different approaches to caring for the needy Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition Law and order is important, but the rights of the individual come first Some form of government management of the economy is necessary — it won’t look after itself

Liberal Party of Canada Advocates for a strong federal government which can overrule provincial interests and hold the country together Canadian control of Canadian resources, broadcast and financial interests Government ownership of some key businesses, such as Air Canada or Canada Post Higher taxes for rich persons and businesses than for less well-off ones Reduce unemployment through government-run programs that provide tax money to help existing businesses need those employees

Canadian Right The present system should be maintained, and only changed when necessary with slow and careful alteration Traditions must be respected — they provide society with stability and security Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals: the government provides a helping hand, not a handout – private charity and self-reliance are better Everyone should have equality of opportunity Law and order have the highest priority Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private industry

Conservative Party of Canada Greater provincial control of their own interests, as per federal-provincial agreements Less government ownership and more private ownership of businesses Less government regulation of the economy Lower taxes for higher income persons, since high taxes lessen the incentive to work hard and invest profits back into the economy Reduce unemployment by lowering taxes for businesses Reduce spending on some social programs to boost self-reliance

New Democratic Party Liberal Party Conservative Party Increased harmony between federal and provincial governments. Less foreign ownership, more government ownership of companies. Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be in the hands of the government. High taxes for rich persons and companies, low taxes for poorer persons. The rich have a moral obligation to look after the poor. Favours tax reform to force large corporations to pay a greater share of taxes to help pay for social programs (e.g. welfare and medicare). A strong federal government which can overrule provincial interests and hold the country together. Canadian control of Canadian resources, broadcast and financial interests. Government ownership of some key businesses, such as Air Canada or Canada Post. Higher taxes for rich persons and business than for less well-off ones. Reduce unemployment through government-run programs (provide government tax money to create new or help existing businesses). Greater provincial control of their own interests through federal-provincial agreements. Less government ownership and more private ownership of businesses. Less government regulation of the economy—for example, foreign ownership of Canadian business should be permitted as long as it is in our interest. Lower taxes for higher-income persons, as too-high taxes reduce the desire to work hard. Hard work benefits the whole economy. Reduce unemployment by lowering taxes for businesses (“trickle-down” economics theory: help private industry first, and the benefits will trickle down to the people). Reduce spending on some social programs (in favour of self-reliance).

Left Centre Right We should change social conditions as quickly as possible. Society is not bound by tradition. Government should take care of needy persons directly. It has a moral obligation. Everyone should have equality of condition. The rights of individuals have the highest priority. Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government. Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace. Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority. There are many different approaches to caring for the needy. Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition. Law and order is important, but the rights of individuals come first. Some form of government management of the economy is necessary. It won’t look after itself. The present system should be maintained. Change only when absolutely necessary and do it slowly and carefully, not suddenly. Traditions must be respected. They provide society with stability and security. Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals (government provides a helping hand, not a handout). Private charity and self-reliance are better. Everyone should have equality of opportunity. Law and order have the highest priority. Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private individuals.

discuss: Where do the Bloc Quebecois and Green Party of Canada fit on the spectrum?

Left Centre Right We should change social conditions as quickly as possible. Society is not bound by tradition. Government should take care of needy persons directly. It has a moral obligation. Everyone should have equality of condition. The rights of individuals have the highest priority. Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government. Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace. Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority. There are many different approaches to caring for the needy. Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition. Law and order is important, but the rights of individuals come first. Some form of government management of the economy is necessary. It won’t look after itself. The present system should be maintained. Change only when absolutely necessary and do it slowly and carefully, not suddenly. Traditions must be respected. They provide society with stability and security. Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals (government provides a helping hand, not a handout). Private charity and self-reliance are better. Everyone should have equality of opportunity. Law and order have the highest priority. Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private individuals.

homework: Complete the political spectrum quiz – and then analyze your results compared to what you now know about the Canadian political spectrum: where do the results say you fit politically… and do the results surprise you in any way?