1. Slide Deck 9: The Federal Political Landscape

2. What is a political ideology?
A political ideology is a set of shared ideas and beliefs about the role of government and how society should work.

3. What is the political spectrum?
The political spectrum provides a way to characterize and classify different political positions in relation to one another.
A linear spectrum is represented as a horizontal line. People who find themselves on the left or right side of the spectrum usually have opposing views on a range of issues.
The left generally favours social equality, government involvement and more social services, and the right favours tradition, smaller government and lower taxes.
LEFT
RIGHT

4. Towards the Centre
If you are at either end of the spectrum, you will feel most strongly about certain views. But what happens if you agree with some but not all views? Or maybe you just do not feel as passionate about the issues as others? This is actually the case for a lot of people. This is why other positions exist, such as centre-left and centre-right. People who are closer to the centre may feel less strongly about some issues, or only support some views.

5. Multi-Dimension Political Spectrum
When there is more than one axis, each represents a different political dimension or set of issues.
ECONOMIC ISSUES
Horizontal axis
SOCIAL/MORAL ISSUES
Vertical axis

6. Example: Economic Issues
Which do you think is better and why?
Lower taxes, smaller government and less government services
Higher taxes, larger government and more government services

7. Example: Economic Issues
Right-leaning
Left-leaning
Higher taxes
Larger government
More government services
Lower taxes
Smaller government
Less government services

8. Economic Issues
Canadians who are left-leaning on economic issues tend to support higher taxes and more government spending, more government involvement, and more social services.
Canadians who are right-leaning on economic issues tend to support low taxes and less government spending, less government intervention, and the free market.
Left-leaning
Right-leaning

9. Example: Social/Moral Issues
Which statement do you believe more strongly and why?
Society is not bound by tradition
Traditions provide security and stability and must be respected

10. Example: Social/Moral Issues
Progressive
Society is not bound by tradition
Traditions provide security and stability and must be respected
Conservative

11. Social/Moral Issues
Progressive
Canadians who are progressive on social issues tend to support policies that advocate the promotion of social justice issues by changing established practices and institutions.
Canadians who are conservative on social issues tend to support policies that advocate the preservation of traditional values and established institutions.
Conservative

12. Two-Dimension Grid
A political spectrum quiz will place you on grid based on where you sit on each political dimension.

13. Political Parties
A political party is made up of a group of people who share a similar political ideology and goals about society and government.
In order for the political party to have the chance to work towards its goals, the party tries to win an election and form government.

14. Registered Political Parties
Animal Protection Party of Canada
Bloc Québécois
Canadian Nationalist Party
Christian Heritage Party of Canada
Communist Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
Green Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
Libertarian Party of Canada
Marijuana Party
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
National Citizens Alliance of Canada
New Democratic Party
Parti pour l'Indépendance du Québec
Parti Rhinocéros Party
People’s Party of Canada
Progressive Canadian Party
Stop Climate Change
Veterans Coalition Party of Canada

15. Representation in the House of Commons
Prior to the federal election, there were six parties represented in the House of Commons.

16. Reflection Questions
Do you agree with how you were placed on the political spectrum? Why or why not?
What conclusions can you make about the federal political landscape?
How are people’s beliefs and values connected to their positions on political issues?
What do you think has shaped your political views most and why?