THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM BY: CELINA KRYK (BNK4E)

The political spectrum is a chart of some sort that is used to define an individual’s party affiliation. There are many different versions of this spectrum, but it is generally found that the left side is more liberal, and the right side is more conservative.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES Left Side Equal opportunity for all Liberals believe that the government should protect civil liberties and human rights above all else Role of Government: To guarantee that no American is in need Liberals believe that the government is responsible for relieving the American public of social ills Right Side Personal responsibility and limited government Role of Government: Provide people the freedom that they need to follow their dreams, and reach their goals Liberals believe that individuals should solve their own problems

ABORTION Liberals Believes that women have the right to decide what happens with her body Doesn’t not think that a fetus has rights because it is not a human life Role of Government: To fund abortions for women who cannot afford them Conservatives Believes that human life starts at conception Abortion= Murder Opposes taxpayer funded abortions Role of Government: Pass legislation to put limits on abortion

DEATH PENALTY Liberal Believes the death penalty should be abolished “Cruel and unusual punishment” Believes that every execution runs the risk of killing an innocent person Conservatives Believes that if someone takes a life, it is equal and fair for their life to be taken

ENERGY Liberal Other sources of energy should be used because oil is a diminishing resource Role of Government: Needs to create a national plan for energy sources and should partially cover alternative energy production Supports government control of gas and electric companies Conservative Oil, gas, and coal are just fine to use because there are an abundant number of sources Believes that the US should increase drilling in both land and sea Supports the production of nuclear energy Role of Government: Believes that the government should not be in control of gas and electric companies

GUN CONTROL Liberal Individuals do not need guns for protection The 2 nd Amendment (right to bear arms) is not for individuals, but is only for the allowance of state militias Role of Government: Additional gun control laws are necessary More guns= More violence Conservative The 2 nd Amendment gives individuals the right to bear arms Role of Government: Reduce gun control laws because they do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns More guns for law- abiding citizens= Less crime

PRIVATE PROPERTY Liberal Believes that the government has the right to seize private property as long as the owner says it’s okay Role of Government: to obtain property to accomplish something for the greater good of the public Conservative Believes that private property rights should be respected Role of Government: Shouldn’t seize property in most cases Well known and respected property should not be used for private development by the government

WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A LIBERAL VS A CONSERVATIVE? Liberal More popular in younger generations Tend to be less religious Generally in a lower class Conservative Tend to be more religious More popular in older generations Tend to be in an upper class

DEFINITIONS Liberal- a person who is open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values Conservative- a person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes, typically in relation to politics Moderate- a person who holds moderate views, especially in politics Democrats- an advocate or supporter of democracy (power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives) Republics- a person advocating or supporting republican government (the political authority comes from the people Validity- the quality of being logically or factually sound; soundness or cogency Social Issue- an issue that influences and is opposed by a considerable number of individuals within a society Communism- a political theory that advocates class war and leads to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs Radicals- a person who advocates thorough or complete political or social reform; a member of a political party or part of a party pursuing such aims Monarchy- a form of government with a monarch at the head (royal family or figure) Dictatorship- a government in which there is an absolute leader with complete authority Interest Groups- An organized group that tries to influence the government to adopt certain policies or measures Democracy- a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives