1. The Political Spectrum The Left-Wing and Right-Wing of Politics

2. A Basic Understanding  Form of Government:  FASCISM: A strong centralized government with strict social and economic control often led by a charismatic dictator and characterized by fervent patriotism.  Form of Government:  FASCISM: A strong centralized government with strict social and economic control often led by a charismatic dictator and characterized by fervent patriotism.

3. A Basic Understanding  Form of Government:  DEMOCRACY: Government based on the recognition of individual rights and freedoms.  Form of Government:  DEMOCRACY: Government based on the recognition of individual rights and freedoms.

4. A Basic Understanding  Form of Government:  DICTATORSHIP:Form of Government in which absolute power and control are “dictated” by one leader.  Form of Government:  DICTATORSHIP:Form of Government in which absolute power and control are “dictated” by one leader.

5. A Basic Understanding  Form of Government:  REPUBLIC: A state or country where the people have a certain degree of power  Form of Government:  REPUBLIC: A state or country where the people have a certain degree of power

6. A Basic Understanding  Economic Ideology:  SOCIALISM: Economic system where the basic means of production is primarily owned and regulated by the government.  Economic Ideology:  SOCIALISM: Economic system where the basic means of production is primarily owned and regulated by the government.

7. A Basic Understanding  Economic Ideology:  CAPITALISM: Economic system based on the free market as it relates to consumer needs. Investment is made and maintained by private individuals or corporations.  Economic Ideology:  CAPITALISM: Economic system based on the free market as it relates to consumer needs. Investment is made and maintained by private individuals or corporations.

8. A Basic Understanding  Economic Ideology  COMMUNISM: Political and economic theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx whereby all property is publically owned.  Economic Ideology  COMMUNISM: Political and economic theory based on the ideas of Karl Marx whereby all property is publically owned.

9. Left-Wing  Considered to be more “liberal” in political thought  Traditionally includes communism and socialism  Considered to be more “liberal” in political thought  Traditionally includes communism and socialism

10. Right-Wing  Considered to be more “conservative” in political thought  Traditionally includes Fascism and Conservatism  Considered to be more “conservative” in political thought  Traditionally includes Fascism and Conservatism

12. The Political Spectrum  Is a way to define and describe political ideology.  Left-wing and right-wing are a very crude and basic way to analyze political beliefs.  The extreme ends of the spectrum are considered “radical”  Changes-especially at the beginning of the 20th Century with the rise of men like Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin.  At times the political spectrum can bend, so the extremes meet. This can be seen with the rule of many dictators in the 20th Century.  Is a way to define and describe political ideology.  Left-wing and right-wing are a very crude and basic way to analyze political beliefs.  The extreme ends of the spectrum are considered “radical”  Changes-especially at the beginning of the 20th Century with the rise of men like Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin.  At times the political spectrum can bend, so the extremes meet. This can be seen with the rule of many dictators in the 20th Century.

14. Where do you fall on the political spectrum?  Take the quiz at the following website:  http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/ political-spectrum-quiz.html  This will tell you what your “political label” is.  Take the quiz at the following website:  http://www.gotoquiz.com/politics/ political-spectrum-quiz.html  This will tell you what your “political label” is.

15. Let’s Practice….  Using the paper given and working with the people at your table, create a political spectrum.  Place the following famous political figures (just their names and political ideology will be fine) where you believe them to fall on the political spectrum.  Using the paper given and working with the people at your table, create a political spectrum.  Place the following famous political figures (just their names and political ideology will be fine) where you believe them to fall on the political spectrum.

28. Your Homework  Please read the article: “Rethinking the Political Spectrum”.  In about 1 page answer the following questions:  What is this article about? (quick summary)  What struck you?  Questions you still have?  I would be more than happy to take these articles back after you’ve finished reading them.  Your 1 page of responses will be due on Friday, Dec. 9th  Please read the article: “Rethinking the Political Spectrum”.  In about 1 page answer the following questions:  What is this article about? (quick summary)  What struck you?  Questions you still have?  I would be more than happy to take these articles back after you’ve finished reading them.  Your 1 page of responses will be due on Friday, Dec. 9th

29. Your Homework Cont.  Please read Chapter 20, Democracy and Dictatorships in the 1930’s in your textbooks.  Note check on Friday, Jan. 6th  Please bring your textbooks to class with you tomorrow (Thursday), we will have time to get started on this assignment.  Please read Chapter 20, Democracy and Dictatorships in the 1930’s in your textbooks.  Note check on Friday, Jan. 6th  Please bring your textbooks to class with you tomorrow (Thursday), we will have time to get started on this assignment.