1. Politics
Unit One: The Political Spectrum
CPW4U Summer School 2016

2. Left Wing, Right Wing
In 1789, the French National Assembly was created as a parliamentary body to move control of issues such as taxation from the king to the citizenry
Up until this point, the population was divisible into three categories: First Estate (those who prayed), Second Estate (those who fought, such as nobility or aristocracy), and Third Estate (those who did labour)
These three estates had not met in the Estates General, largely because King Louis IV had declared “L’état, c’est moi!” (“I am the state!”)
The Estate General had to be called back due to problems such as drought and bankruptcy (the latter because France had paid for the American Revolution only for the U.S. to sign a trade agreement with Britain right after)

3. Left Wing, Right Wing
Each estate had the same number of votes but the Third Estate routinely found itself losing because the First Estate and Second Estate always voted together
The Third Estate decided to hold a meeting of its own, though some members of the nobility joined them in sympathy; they named this new meeting the National Assembly
When the National Assembly tried to enter the Estates General, they were locked out and had to go to a nearby tennis court instead
Inside the National Assembly, some sat on the left and some sat on the right

4. Left Wing, Right Wing
The most radical members of the Third Estate sat of the left side of the chamber while the members of the First and Second Estates who came to join them sat on the right
Thus, the left side was more liberal and the right side was more conservative — the same terms we used to this day
Eventually, the “tennis court oath” to not disperse until there was a constitution was ordered dispersed by the king, at which point they became the Constituent Assembly that would play a key role in upcoming French Revolution

5. The Political Spectrum
Today, we call the difference between left and right: the political spectrum
On the left are those who want to adopt change to new political institutions or values
On the right are those who want to return to ways of the past
In the center are those who want to maintain the status quo

6. The Political Spectrum
The further away people find themselves from the status quo, the more dissatisfied they are with the existing situation and the more drastic their proposed changes are
Radicals are those who are extremely unhappy about the present status and favours instant, fundamental changes in society because they see society so corrupt that it can only be changed through violent upheaval — a compromise is just not possible

7. The Political Spectrum
Liberals (not the party) are less dissatisfied with the system; they generally abide by the laws, seeking change through legal methods within the institutions we have now — but, at the same time, advocate rapid, far- reaching change to improve society
Moderates are generally satisfied with the status quo and believe only minor changes are needed to be adopted, and gradually at that
Conservatives (not the party) defend, rationalize and reform the system to be closer to the traditional views they have of society

8. The Political Spectrum
Reactionaries desire a return to early, autocratic times where anyone who doesn’t like what the government does can leave
Ultras are seen as fanatics — their desire for change or return is so strong that they go beyond the edges of the spectrum and off the margins of the page
There are two types of ideologies which reflect the spectrum: dominant ideology and counter ideology

9. Dominant Ideology
In western society, dominant ideologies are democracy, Capitalism and Liberalism
They prescribe and support existing social and political arrangements
They are dominant when most people can accept and articulate them
They can be dominant because the most powerful people in society support them, but the majority or significant number may not share that support
A dominant ideology enables society to control subordinate groups and those who adhere to ideologies of Socialism, Communism and Environmentalism if they are minorities within that society

10. Counter Ideology
Counter ideologies advance reform and radical change in society
Sometimes the dominant ideology in one culture can be the counter-ideology in another
Counter ideologies are a response to perceived inequality which, for one reason or another, is a product of how the society thinks and behaves
They challenge the status quo and threaten to discredit it so that it will lose credibility amongst its adherents
Competitive interaction between dominant and counter ideologies is a reason why political change takes place in society

11. But where do Canada’s political parties sit on the spectrum?

12. Canadian Left
We should change social conditions as quickly as possible
Society is not bound by tradition
Government should take care of needy persons directly: it has a moral obligation to do so
Everyone should have equality of condition
The rights of individuals have the highest priority
Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government to ensure they are affordable by all

13. The New Democratic Party
Increased harmony between federal and provincial governments
Less foreign ownership, more government ownership of companies
Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be in the hands of the government
High taxes for the richest people and companies, lowest taxes for the poorest — because the richest have a moral obligation to help the poor
Favours tax reform to force large corporations to pay a greater share of taxes that pay for social programs, like welfare and medicare

14. Canadian Centre
Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace
Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority
There are many different approaches to caring for the needy
Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition
Law and order is important, but the rights of the individual come first
Some form of government management of the economy is necessary — it won’t look after itself

15. Liberal Party of Canada
Advocates for a strong federal government which can overrule provincial interests and hold the country together
Canadian control of Canadian resources, broadcast and financial interests
Government ownership of some key businesses, such as Air Canada or Canada Post
Higher taxes for rich persons and businesses than for less well-off ones
Reduce unemployment through government-run programs that provide tax money to help existing businesses need those employees

16. Canadian Right
The present system should be maintained, and only changed when necessary with slow and careful alteration
Traditions must be respected — they provide society with stability and security
Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals: the government provides a helping hand, not a handout – private charity and self-reliance are better
Everyone should have equality of opportunity
Law and order have the highest priority
Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private industry

17. Conservative Party of Canada
Greater provincial control of their own interests, as per federal-provincial agreements
Less government ownership and more private ownership of businesses
Less government regulation of the economy
Lower taxes for higher income persons, since high taxes lessen the incentive to work hard and invest profits back into the economy
Reduce unemployment by lowering taxes for businesses
Reduce spending on some social programs to boost self-reliance

18. New Democratic Party Liberal Party Conservative Party
Increased harmony between federal and provincial governments.
Less foreign ownership, more government ownership of companies. Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be in the hands of the government.
High taxes for rich persons and companies, low taxes for poorer persons. The rich have a moral obligation to look after the poor.
Favours tax reform to force large corporations to pay a greater share of taxes to help pay for social programs (e.g. welfare and medicare).
A strong federal government which can overrule provincial interests and hold the country together.
Canadian control of Canadian resources, broadcast and financial interests. Government ownership of some key businesses, such as Air Canada or Canada Post.
Higher taxes for rich persons and business than for less well-off ones.
Reduce unemployment through government-run programs (provide government tax money to create new or help existing businesses).
Greater provincial control of their own interests through federal-provincial agreements.
Less government ownership and more private ownership of businesses. Less government regulation of the economy—for example, foreign ownership of Canadian business should be permitted as long as it is in our interest.
Lower taxes for higher-income persons, as too-high taxes reduce the desire to work hard. Hard work benefits the whole economy.
Reduce unemployment by lowering taxes for businesses (“trickle-down” economics theory: help private industry first, and the benefits will trickle down to the people). Reduce spending on some social programs (in favour of self-reliance).

19. Left
Centre
Right
We should change social conditions as quickly as possible.
Society is not bound by tradition.
Government should take care of needy persons directly. It has a moral obligation.
Everyone should have equality of condition.
The rights of individuals have the highest priority.
Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government.
Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace.
Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority.
There are many different approaches to caring for the needy.
Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition.
Law and order is important, but the rights of individuals come first.
Some form of government management of the economy is necessary. It won’t look after itself.
The present system should be maintained. Change only when absolutely necessary and do it slowly and carefully, not suddenly.
Traditions must be respected. They provide society with stability and security.
Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals (government provides a helping hand, not a handout). Private charity and self-reliance are better.
Everyone should have equality of opportunity.
Law and order have the highest priority.
Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private individuals.

20. discuss:
Where do the Bloc Quebecois and Green Party of Canada fit on the spectrum?

21. Left
Centre
Right
We should change social conditions as quickly as possible.
Society is not bound by tradition.
Government should take care of needy persons directly. It has a moral obligation.
Everyone should have equality of condition.
The rights of individuals have the highest priority.
Key industries, banks, transportation facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government.
Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious pace.
Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority.
There are many different approaches to caring for the needy.
Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition.
Law and order is important, but the rights of individuals come first.
Some form of government management of the economy is necessary. It won’t look after itself.
The present system should be maintained. Change only when absolutely necessary and do it slowly and carefully, not suddenly.
Traditions must be respected. They provide society with stability and security.
Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals (government provides a helping hand, not a handout). Private charity and self-reliance are better.
Everyone should have equality of opportunity.
Law and order have the highest priority.
Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private individuals.

22. homework:
Complete the political spectrum quiz – and then analyze your results compared to what you now know about the Canadian political spectrum: where do the results say you fit politically… and do the results surprise you in any way?