THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

 A political spectrum is a system of classifying different political positions  Origins of the terms “Right Wing” and “Left Wing” came from the seating arrangements in the French parliament after the Revolution  Those who are in the middle are classified as “Centrists” or “Moderates”

ConceptLeftCentreRight ChangeUnjust conditions must be changed as quickly as possible There may be things that are unjust in our society, but change does not happen overnight. We must attack the problems, but realize it may take years to bring about meaningful change. Tend to support the establishment and the status quo. Don’t want sweeping changes. Role of Government in Social Programs The government has a responsibility to care for all people, especially the less fortunate (e.g. child care programs, Medicare, etc.) Believe in searching for ways to provide for the greatest number of people based on what the country can afford. The government should not interfere in the lives of individuals. Expensive social programs should be cut. Government Ownership The government should own key industries and resources (e.g. transportation systems, natural resources). Accepts moderate government management and intervention n the economy. Business and industry should be kept in private hands and the government should be limited. Individual RightsThe rights of the individual have high priority. Believe in law and order, but the rights of the individual come first. Law and order have high priority.

POLITICAL PARTIES  A political party is an organization of people which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political power

MAJOR FEDERAL PARTIES NameFoundedIdeologyLeaderMPs Conservative Party of Canada Conservative Party of Canada Parti conservateur du Canada 2003 ConservatismConservatism, Economic liberalismEconomic liberalism Stephen Harper 162 New Democratic Party New Democratic Party Nouveau Parti démocratique 1961Social democracy Thomas Mulcair 97 Liberal Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada Parti libéral du Canada 1867LiberalismLiberalism, CentrismCentrism Justin Trudeau 37 Bloc Québécois1991 Quebec sovereigntyQuebec sovereignty, Separatism, Social democracySeparatism Social democracy Mario Beaulieu 2 Green Party of Canada Green Party of Canada Parti vert du Canada 1983Green politics Elizabeth May 2

MAJOR ONTARIO PARTIES NameFoundedIdeologyLeaderMPPs Ontario Liberal Party1857liberalism Kathleen Wynne 58 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario 1854conservatismTim Hudak28 Ontario New Democratic Party 1961 social democracy Andrea Horwath 21