The Political Spectrum Where do you fit in?
What is the political spectrum? Let’s start by looking at the horizontal (or more traditional) axis! Radical Moderate Reactionary Liberal Conservative
What determines where I am on the political spectrum? Economic issues such as: –Taxes –Healthcare –Social Security –Gov’t spending –Rules on businesses Social issues such as: –Abortion –Gun Control –Gay Rights –Immigration –Gender / Racial Situations Typically, a person’s political ideology is determined by how they feel about two different factors. OR
What is a Liberal? Beliefs – citizens individual freedoms and gov’t involvement in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Democrat and Green Parties
What is a Conservative? Beliefs – gov’t should be involved in citizen’s individual freedoms and little gov’t involvement in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Republican and Tea Parties
What is a moderate / centrist? Beliefs – gov’t should be somewhat involved in citizen’s individual freedoms and should also be somewhat involved in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Independent Party
What is “the middle”? People that are in the middle of the political spectrum tend to be more present thinkers. This means that they are satisfied with the way things are right now and that we currently have “the answers.” People that are moderates will not resort to violence because they are satisfied with the way everything is.
What are radicals and reactionaries? Beliefs – these types of parties are extremists that are willing to become violent to reach their desired political, social, and economic goals. Political Party Affiliation World Socialist Party of the USA / American Patriot Party
What is an authoritarian? Beliefs – this type of party believes in complete government control of every aspect of people’s lives and complete control of the countries businesses and economics. Political Party Affiliation Revolutionary Communist Party USA
What is a libertarian? Beliefs – this type of party believe in little or no government control of people’s lives and allowing business and economics work without gov’t interference. Political Party Affiliation Libertarian Party
What about the vertical axis? Authoritarian Centrist Libertarian
What is “the left”? People that are on the left of the political spectrum tend to be more future or forward thinkers. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and that “the answers” can be found in new ideas. Liberals do this in a non-violent manner, while radicals will use violence if necessary to make their point.
What is “the right”? People that are on the right of the political spectrum tend to be more past thinkers. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and that “the answers” can be found in old ideas or the way things used to be. Conservatives do this in a non- violent manner, while reactionaries will use violence if necessary to make their point.
What is “above the line”? People that are above the horizontal line of the political spectrum tend to want the gov’t to take more control in their lives. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and believe that the gov’t has “the answers.” Again, people on the edge believe in violence if necessary for their cause.
What is “below the line”? People that are below the horizontal line of the political spectrum tend to want to remove the gov’t from their daily lives. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and believes that individual man can make his own choices without gov’t interference. Again, people on the edge believe in violence if necessary for their cause.
What is “the middle”? People that are in the middle of the vertical axis line of the political spectrum are acceptable of some gov’t involvement, but not total involvement. This means that they are satisfied with the way things are right now. People that are centrist are not violent.