Slide Deck 9: The Federal Political Landscape

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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?