1. Political Ideologies & The Political Spectrum

2. Political Ideologies
Definition: a set of beliefs that form the basis of a political system. 2

4. Political Spectrum
RADICAL
LIBERAL
MODERATE
CONSERVATIVE
REACTIONARY

5. Liberal
Reject violence or revolution → change should happen within existing political system
MORE GOV’T ACTION to increase economic opportunities & remove economic unfairness (can be done by providing services to the needy and restricting some business practices)
LESS GOV’T ACTION to control individual behavior such as abortion
Liberal

6. Examples of Liberalism

7. Radical
Radical
Seeks drastic, rapid change in the basic structure of political, social &/or economic systems
May use EXTREME methods – including violence & revolution – to bring change
Usually “from the ground up”  uprisings of “the people” against the power

8. Examples of Radicalism

9. Conservative
Conservative
Usually cautious about pushing for new policies, especially if Gov’t activism required
LESS GOV’T ACTION:
Gov’t shouldn’t interfere in economic matters
People shouldn’t rely on Gov’t to take care of their needs
“The best gov’t governs least.”
MORE GOV’T ACTION is OK to promote…
“traditional family values” & morals
“law & order” & public safety

10. Examples of Conservatives

11. Reactionary
Reactionary
May use EXTREME methods – such as control of citizens & repressive use of Gov’t power – to achieve goals
GOAL: To create a nation the way it “should” be (according to the leaders!)

12. Examples of Reactionaries

13. Moderate Often hold a combination of both liberal & conservative views
Usually tolerant of others’ views BUT don’t hold extreme views themselves
Favor compromise, “go slow” or “wait-and-see” approaches to problems
Moderate

14. Liberal or Conservative? How to tell…
social
& moral
Issues
• individual rights & personal choice/freedom
• gov’t shouldn’t try to control individual behavior
• promote “traditional family values” & morals
• promote law & order, public safety
economic
issues
• economic unfairness in society
• gov’t should try to increase economic opportunities & promote economic fairness for all
• economic freedom
• gov’t shouldn’t interfere in economic matters
• people shouldn’t rely on gov’t to take care of their needs