THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM MODERATE LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE Those to the “left” of the center are referred to as LIBERALS, generally believing and standing for the following: Advocate changes to the “status quo” Want an active, involved government. Trust human nature Value freedom over order* Society should work toward equality for all and help those who struggle to help themselves Those to the “right” of the center are referred to as CONSERVATIVES generally believing and standing for the following: Require good reasons for change, and want little or slow change if needed Prefer a limited government, Value order over freedom* Individuals should work toward bettering themselves, not look for others to do it for them The majority of Americans would find themselves in the center of the spectrum, called MODERTAES when their views on social issues generally balance between individual and group concerns. R A D I C A L R E AC T I O N A R Y Those on the extreme right with intense conservative views are classified as REACTIONARIES who hold an intense desire to change things “back to the way they used t to be”. Example: KKK – turn back to pre-1960’s America by attacking African-Americans, Jews, Catholics… Those on the extreme left with extreme liberal views are classified as RADICALS who hold an intense desire for societal change. Example: E.L.F. (Earth Liberation Front) who burn ski lodges and Hummer Dealerships because they are not environmentally-friendly

People seen as liberal are often labeled as being on the “LEFT”, like: People seen as conservative are often labeled as being on the “RIGHT”, like: Republican party “Tea” party Christian Coalition of America FOX news Democratic party “Occupy” movement Move-on.org MSNBC news

So, what are you? Take the following political spectrum quiz ** 5 = agree strongly / 4 = agree / 3 = not sure / 2 = disagree / 1 = strongly disagree ____ in favor of pro-choice (right to abortion) ____ in favor of time for prayer in schools ____ in favor of welfare programs to help the needy ____ in favor of cutting taxes and government spending to make our government smaller ____ in favor of health care reform (aka “Obamacare”) ____ in favor of protecting past traditions ____ in favor of extending the right to marriage to gay couples ____ in favor of protecting the unrestricted right to bear arms ____ in favor of government restrictions on big business ____ in favor of making prisons less about reform and more about punishment ____ in favor of more sex education and access to birth control in high schools ____ in favor of stronger punishments for drug abuse and drug trafficking ____ in favor of stronger punishments for people who say racist or sexist things ____ in favor of ending programs that make opportunities for minorities in jobs / education ____ in favor of greater taxes on the wealthy to pay for programs like food stamps ____ in favor of teaching alternatives to evolution in science classes A: add up scores on even number questions: total = ______ B: add up scores on odd number questions: total = _______ ** subtract B total from A total SCORE - _______

REACT IONALRY RADI CAL -32 -16 0 +16 +32

Ever wonder where the terms “left” and “right” came from in the first place? – The French Revolution!!! With the beheading of King Louis, the monarchy had lost control of the country and the people violently seized power and ran the country through… THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Those seated on the right wished the monarchy to return, to end the disorder and violence of the revolution, and respect for tradition and history. Those seated on the left supported the changes the revolution was bringing, wanted to end the monarchy and class differences, and sought to make a new society by any means necessary. Those seated in the center wanted to balance past traditions with new changes – king and republican legislature

And the result of this conflict And the result of this conflict? Robespierre and Jacobins on the left would purge the right through the violence of the “Reign of Terror”, and force the middle to accept their control. This would last for a short time until internal battles for power would turn the violence upon themselves and the Assembly would lose all control, and Napoleon would enter the scene, take advantage of the chaos and disorder, and eventually would become “Emperor” – more powerful than any king who came before him...