THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

ARE YOU LEFT, RIGHT OR MODERATE?

LEFT OF MODERATE Liberal – (Left) Government should play a big role in “social reform” and well-being. – Focus on issues such as poverty, education, and environment Favor change; sometimes called “progressive” Examples: Democrats, Green Party

RIGHT OF MODERATE Conservative (Right Wing) Government should stay out of the lives of citizens and businesses. Exception: Moral issues/”family values” – Example: Abortion, Gay Marriage Favor status quo Resistant to change Want to work within system Examples: Republican, Reform

MODERATE Moderate (Middle) Opinions fall between left and right Tolerant of multiple view points Not extreme about issues Example: Independent, Undeclared

Far Left Radical (Far Left)… Favor fundamental changes Want to reverse the domination of the wealthy over poor Often support highly centralized government Want a total overhaul of the system Example: Communist

Far Right Reactionary (Far Right) Advocate return to a historical system. Very traditional views on who should have power. Often very religious, moralistic and/or ideological. Will use extreme measures (such as violence) to reinforce laws power. Examples: Dictatorships, Absolute Monarchies, Oligarchies (e.g. Taliban)

TAKE A MOMENT TO APPLY THIS NEW IDEA… Imagine that your house is a country and your parents are the leaders. What type of leaders are they? – Radical – Liberal – Moderate – Conservative – Reactionary Explain your choice in one sentence. Then… share your response with a neighbor.

 CHANGETRADITION   PROBLEMS CIRCUMSTANTIAL PROBLEMS ARE INDIVIDUAL   GOV’T RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY   EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS!PERSONAL FREEDOMS, ESPECIALLY ECONOMIC   HUMAN RIGHTSPROPERTY RIGHTS   VALUES ARE “RELATIVE”MORAL ABSOLUTES 

DRAW IT… The next few slides show different sides of important issues. Make a two column table and draw symbols that represent positions on each side of the political spectrum. Liberal/LeftConservative/Right (Pro-environment)(Pro-business)

MORALITY/IDEOLOGIES… CHANGE PRO-CHOICEGAY MARRIAGE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AT ALL COSTS TRADITION PRO-LIFE HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE ONLY, “FAMILY VALUES” FREEDOM OF SPEECH WITH LIMITS

PROBLEMS IN SOCIETY CIRCUMSTANTIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS INDIVIDUAL LIMITS ON WELFARE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE TOUGH ON CRIME

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT GOV’T RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL REFORM MORE EDUCATION FUNDING ASSISTANCE PROGRMAS FOR POOR AND MINORITIES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GOV’T SHOULD BE LESS INVOLVED SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE CHARITY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY DE-REGULATION

RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS ENVIRONMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CRIME PREVENTION AND REHIBILITATION PROPERTY RIGHTS PRO-BUSINESSTAX CUTS TOUGH ON CRIME; DEATH PENALTY

Think-Pair-Share Which side (liberal or conservative) would be most likely to send their country to war? Why do you think that? Think about your answer Pair up with a neighbor Share your responses

The train station analogy… Rex Tugwell, an advisor to president Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), said that different attitudes toward change characterize different political philosophies. He wrote that if a community needed a new train station (or education reform, crime control, etc.)…

Fill in the blank with: radical, liberal, conservative, or reactionary “__________ would rebuild the station while the trains are still running, __________ prefer to blow up the train station and forgo service until the new structure is built, __________ would prefer to keep the old station, being satisfied with it, while __________ would abandon the station entirely since they do not approve of trains in the first place.”

REFLECTION Finish the following thoughts: I agree that... What I learned made me think of… I feel… about what I learned today. I am still wondering…

Other Resources… vernmentandlaw/politicalbeliefs/preview.wem l vernmentandlaw/politicalbeliefs/preview.wem l ve-vs-liberal-beliefs/ ve-vs-liberal-beliefs/