1. Participation in Government
#46
#46

2. What does left and right mean in political terms?
These terms originated in the 18th century in the French Assembly, where radical members seeking change sat to the left of the presiding officer, and supporters of the traditional order sat to the right. Those on the left sought change and became known loosely as liberals, while those on the right fought to preserve traditional ways and became known as conservatives.
The Left emphasizes on individual freedoms and desire some degree of reform in the established order.
The Right emphasizes on the established authority of government, family, customs, etc. They favor traditional attitudes and practices.
Left Right

3. Over time, left was equated with liberal and a desire for some degree of reform in the established order, while the right was equated with conservative. Some people may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives. They are seen as tolerant of other people's views, and they do not hold extreme views of their own. They advocate a "go-slow" or "wait-and-see" approach to social or political change. These people are in the middle and known as moderates.
Left Right
Liberal Moderate Conservative

4. Today a liberal is considered someone who looks to government for solutions to their many problems in modern life. They accept increased government regulations. An example of a liberal today is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton
Conservatives believe that a “government governs the best which governs the least” or a more hands-off approach. They favor traditional views and tend to oppose change. An example of a conservative today is Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh

5. A person to the extreme far left is called a Radical
A person to the extreme far left is called a Radical. Radicals believe that the problems of the country can be solved only through extreme measures and that change should take place immediately. They will use violence.
An example is the Black Panthers.

6. Someone to the extreme right is called a Reactionary
Someone to the extreme right is called a Reactionary. They denounce most forms of government regulation, yet would not hesitate to use the government’s police power to enforce the changes they desire. They want to go back to the old traditional ways and will also use violence. The Klu Klux Klan is an example of a Reactionary group.

7. Left Right
Radical Reactionary
Liberal Moderate Conservative

8. Where do the Democrats and Republicans fit in?
Ideas normally associated with the Democratic Party are referred to as being to the "left" of the center of the political spectrum. Furthermore, Democrats are generally seen as liberal because they support government regulation of the economy. Ideas associated with the Republican Party are often referred to as being to the "right" of the center of the political spectrum. Republicans are generally seen as conservative because they advocate a reduction in government.
Left Democrat Republican Right
Liberal Moderate Conservative

9. Political Parties: individuals that join together to achieve a common political goals
They have:
Shared Beliefs
A program/plan to turn beliefs into law.
Enrollment (more people = more power)
How do political parties gain Power?
By winning elections, political parties gain legal control of the government.
Nominating Convention: Where political parties nominate candidates for elections (i.e. president, vice president)
Balanced Ticket: A Slate of candidates who are nominated so as to appeal to as many voters as possible.
Dark Horse – a longshot candidate.
Incumbent – candidate presently in office, running for re-election.

10. Select one of the terms below to complete or define the statements below. REACTIONARY RADICAL LIBERAL INAUGURATION PRIMARY MODERATE FAVORITE SON CONSERVATIVE INCUMBENT DARK HORSE 1.A person of this political bent believes that federal government regulation should be transferred to local or state government, because the individual not the government should be responsible for decisions which affect our lives. This person is a _________. 2.A loyal political party mentor, this person receives votes at a convention and is known as a _______________________. 3.A person who desires change but will work for that change within the system by democratic means, rather than by revolution. This person will also accept increased government regulation and will be called a _______________________. 4.After the November Presidential Election, the President will be officially sworn in as an official at an _______________________. 5.Accepting government as they find it, these people often favor new and better laws. They may shift to liberal or conservative but most often they try to remain “Middle of the Road.” They are known as _______________________.

11. Select one of the terms below to complete or define the statements below. REACTIONARY RADICAL LIBERAL INAUGURATION PRIMARY MODERATE FAVORITE SON CONSERVATIVE INCUMBENT DARK HORSE 6. When little is known about the candidate and she/he was not previously considered for election, that person is a _______________________. A Long-Shot Candidate for nomination. 7. A person presently holding a political office is known as the ____________________. 8. A person of this political bent wants change immediately, not gradually, and sometimes will use force to achieve goals is a _______________________. 9. Nominating of party candidates for the President and Vice President takes place at the _______________________. 10. Wanting a return to the past or the “Good Old Days”, and will denounce most forms of government regulation including welfare. This person is a _____________________.