1. Lesson 4: Political Parties

2. What is a political ideology?
A political ideology is a set of shared ideas or beliefs about how politics and government should function.
Common ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. Others include communism and fascism.

3. What is a political party?
A political party is a group of like-minded individuals with a shared vision and similar political ideologies.
Party members work together to achieve power through an election, form government and create meaningful political change.
There are 25 registered political parties in British Columbia.

4. B.C. Political Parties
Advocational Party, BC First, Marijuana Party, BC NDP, BC Refed, Conservative Party, Excalibur Party, BC Liberal Party, Libertarian, BC Party, Patriot Party, Social Credit Party, Christian Heritage Party (CHP), Communist Party, Green Party, Helping Hand Party, New Wave, People’s Front, The Platinum Party, Progressive Nationalists, BC Reform, Unparty, Western Canada Concept, Work Less Party, Your Political Party (YPP).

5. What is the political spectrum?
The political spectrum characterizes beliefs, values and priorities, and provides a framework in which to view and evaluate political parties and policies.
A linear spectrum is represented as a horizontal line, with parties on the left embracing change and parties on the right favouring tradition.

6. Political Spectrum Questions
Should the minimum wage be increased?
Should the government spend less on our armed forces?
Should the government provide free daycare for all families?
Should wealthier people pay more taxes?
Should the government be allowed to censor any book or movie?

7. What is a party platform?
A series of declared policy on party and regional issues concerning government and the public.
Parties announce their platform through announcements, advertising and events, and share their ideas to attract support from voters.

8. How does a party form government?
The party that elects the most number of representatives or wins the most seats usually forms government.
At the provincial level, the leader of the party that forms government becomes the premier.
After the 2009 provincial election, the BC Liberals formed government with 49 out of 85 legislative seats.

9. Final Thoughts Why are political parties important?
What advantages and disadvantages are there to running for a party?
Would you ever join a political party?