POLITICAL SPECTRUM An Introduction

DEFINITION A political spectrum is a tool used to visually compare different political positions by placing the positions on one or more axes.

In the United States, the most commonly used political spectrum, (also known as the political continuum), places a range of beliefs along a horizontal line and is described in terms left or right of center. LEFT RIGHT CENTER

GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS LEFT More government intervention Gradual to rapid change in government RIGHT Less government intervention Little to no change in status quo

QUICK RECAP: LEFT used to describe people who support change in society and government intervention RIGHT refers to people who hold traditional values and want less government intervention

POLITICAL SPECTRUM OF IDEOLOGIES LEFT RIGHT LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE RADICAL MODERATE REACT.

TWO MAJOR U.S. PARTIES DEMOCRATS generally seen as liberal because they support government regulation of the economy REPUBLICANS generally seen as conservative because they advocate a reduction in government

MORE SPECIFICALLY… Within parties, there are people who hold a variety of opinions on social and economic issues that fall along the spectrum of political ideologies Examples are liberal Democrats, moderate Democrats, moderate Republicans, and conservative Republicans

BOTH PARTIES LEAN TOWARD MODERATE Current theorists say that U.S. political parties are becoming increasingly moderate and therefore less easily separated on the political spectrum DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS

WHERE WOULD YOU PUT… Communists? Socialists? Fascists? Absolutists? LEFT RIGHT CONSERVATIVE FASCIST SOCIALIST LIBERAL CENTRISTS ABSO REACT. COMMUNIST RADICAL

CURRENT ISSUES LEFT RIGHT Pro Gun Control Pro-Choice (Abortion) No Censorship Prisons should Rehabilitate Pro-Privacy Equal Funding for Education Democratic Party Platform RIGHT Anti-Gun Control Pro-Life (Abortion) Anti-Flag Burning Prisons Should Punish Prayer in Schools School Vouchers Republican Party Platform

TAXATION LEFT RIGHT Taxes are acceptable. It is important for the government to have revenue to fund programs, which benefit society. Graduated taxes are preferred over flat rate taxes. It is only fair that the rich should pay more than those who are less fortunate. RIGHT Taxes are seen as infringements on personal freedom. Taxes intervene with the free market system. Taxes penalize those who are successful. Taxes should not punish profit. Prefers a flat rate and/or consumption tax.

BUSINESS REGULATION LEFT RIGHT Accepts government regulation of business. The market place cannot be relied upon to provide safe working conditions. Government control and regulations are needed to protect the worker and consumer. Government should insure that everyone has an equal chance to succeed. RIGHT Business must be allowed to operate free of government control. The market place (supply and demand) will guide. Government control of working conditions or policies that affect products are unacceptable. Trickle down economics is the way to stimulate the economy. The business of America is business.

POLITICAL RIGHTS LEFT RIGHT The left side is passionate about extending civil rights to minority groups: students, prisoners, homosexuals and the poor. Tolerant of those not in the status quo. Seeks to protect individual rights: free speech, pro-choice, anti-capital punishment, and privacy. RIGHT The power of the central government should be diminished. Most issues are best dealt with on the state and local level. Preferred values (family, faith, patriotism and love of family) and beliefs are seen as originating in the past and are rooted in Christian traditions and practices. Is acceptable to censor obscure ideas which unnecessarily shake up the status quo.

DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH LEFT The disparity between the rich and poor is not acceptable. Taxes represent a mechanism to equally distribute wealth. The government should be involved in providing more equal opportunities in areas of education, health care, childcare, and aid to the elderly. Government funding of public projects (pump priming) will stimulate the economy and help the common man. RIGHT Business has right to make as much profit as they possibly can. Profits represent an incentive to work hard. It is reward for hard work and should not be punished by taxing it. The disparity between the rich and the poor is explained in part by the economic choices people make. Some people choose to become doctors, lawyers, dentists, and business executives. Others choose less profitable careers. Income disparity is a result of poor choices. Those who are prosperous should not be penalized by being forced to help those who have made poor decisions.

THE MARKET LEFT Government intervention in the market is acceptable. The government should set minimum wage standards. Public works projects represent an acceptable way to create jobs. Government should provide a basic standard of living to all citizens. RIGHT Attempts by the government to control prices, wages, or to regulate business operations are wrong. The economy works best when it is absolutely free (laissez-faire) of government control. The forces of the market can be trusted to meet the needs of business, consumers, and workers. Government programs should not compete with private industry.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS LEFT RIGHT The government should be primarily focused on spreading democracy and protecting human rights in the world Strong support for the united nations. RIGHT The governments primary role is to protect u.s. business and economic interests in foreign countries. Our country needs to be in order before we look elsewhere. Supports tariffs.

SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT LEFT The government should serve as the equalizers in society and establishes a basic standard of living, a minimum wage is an acceptable tool of government intervention. The left is accepts government control and regulation of business, and an active government that protects political rights. RIGHT Government should be downsized. Large governments, both federal and state, have the power to control business interests and therefore potentially infringe on the freedoms of individuals. Government programs tend to provide unnecessary services that go beyond the scope of the constitution.

SURVEY RESULTS Reflect on your results! Where did you fall? Was this accurate? 500 100 400 200 300 RADICAL LIBERAL MODERATE CONSERV. REACTIONARY LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE CONSERVATIVE

MATCH WHERE YOU FALL WITH THE FOLLOWING POLITICAL FIGURES Ronald Reagan Jesse Jackson Ted Kennedy Hillary Clinton Bill Clinton Colin Powell George Bush Jack Kemp Bob Dole 100% LIBERAL 100% CONSERVATIVE