Government & Politics

Three Parts to Government Government Philosophy Government Philosophy Government Structure Government Structure Government Authority Government Authority

Government Philosophy A philosophy is a set of beliefs about how and why things are the way they are. A philosophy is a set of beliefs about how and why things are the way they are.

Equality vs. Efficiency There has always been disagreement over the role or government. In the U.S. the disagreement can be broken down into two different philosophies There has always been disagreement over the role or government. In the U.S. the disagreement can be broken down into two different philosophies

Equality Those who believe that equality should be the goal of government will focus on human rights and the environment. They want to change society to make it fairer. This usually calls for government to play a large role in society Those who believe that equality should be the goal of government will focus on human rights and the environment. They want to change society to make it fairer. This usually calls for government to play a large role in society Those who believe that efficiency should be the goal of government will focus on time and money. They believe that things work out better if you set standards and judge people on whether they meet those standards. They believe that this is done by limiting government involvement in people’s lives and allowing natural market forces to work things out. Efficiency

Adjectives used to describe those who believe in equality Liberal Left Wing Progressive Democrat Socialist Bleeding Heart Adjectives used to describe those who believe in efficiency Conservative Right Wing Traditional Republican Capitalist Fascist

Government Philosophy Breaking the two approaches to government down into two basic categories works to help understand the differences between Democrats and Republican, but in reality people’s beliefs range across the entire political spectrum. Here is a basic view of how the political spectrum looks Breaking the two approaches to government down into two basic categories works to help understand the differences between Democrats and Republican, but in reality people’s beliefs range across the entire political spectrum. Here is a basic view of how the political spectrum looks

The Political Spectrum left wing right wing equality efficiency liberal conservative progressive traditional relative absolute M O D E R A T E _| | | | | D E M O C R A T | R E P U B L I C A N

IMPORTANT QUESTION ARE YOU A A MODERATE A MODERATE LEFT WING DEMOCRAT LEFT WING DEMOCRAT RIGHT WING REPUBLICAN RIGHT WING REPUBLICAN OR A RED NECK? OR A RED NECK?

THE TEST YOU ARE WALKING DOWN A QUIET STREET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH YOUR WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN, NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND. YOU ARE WALKING DOWN A QUIET STREET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH YOUR WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN, NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND. SUDDENLY, AN ANGRY ISLAMIC MAN WITH A HUGE KNIFE APPEARS, RUSHING TOWARDS YOU, SCREAMING OBSCENITIES, PRAISING ALLAH, RAISING THE KNIFE TOWARDS YOU AS HE CHARGES AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. SUDDENLY, AN ANGRY ISLAMIC MAN WITH A HUGE KNIFE APPEARS, RUSHING TOWARDS YOU, SCREAMING OBSCENITIES, PRAISING ALLAH, RAISING THE KNIFE TOWARDS YOU AS HE CHARGES AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU ARE CARRYING A GLOCK 40-CALIBER AND ARE AN EXPERT SHOT. YOU HAVE MERE SECONDS BEFORE HE REACHES YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU ARE CARRYING A GLOCK 40-CALIBER AND ARE AN EXPERT SHOT. YOU HAVE MERE SECONDS BEFORE HE REACHES YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. WHAT DO YOU DO?

THE LEFT WING LIBERAL Well, that's not enough information to answer the question. Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? Well, that's not enough information to answer the question. Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?

The Left Wing Liberal What does the law say about this situation? What do the European courts say about this situation? Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it? Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? Is it possible this guy coming toward us would be happy just killing us? Does he definitely want to kill or hurt me and my family, or does he just want to make a religious diversity point? What does the law say about this situation? What do the European courts say about this situation? Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it? Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? Is it possible this guy coming toward us would be happy just killing us? Does he definitely want to kill or hurt me and my family, or does he just want to make a religious diversity point?

Still……… Would he be content just to insult and wound us, because we are an evil country, evil people, who have taken advantage and despoiled the world, and he is understandably unhappy. If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? Should I call 911? Why is this street so empty? Would he be content just to insult and wound us, because we are an evil country, evil people, who have taken advantage and despoiled the world, and he is understandably unhappy. If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? Should I call 911? Why is this street so empty?

Are you kidding me? We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior. This is all so confusing. I need to debate this with some friends for few a days and try to come to a consensus We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior. This is all so confusing. I need to debate this with some friends for few a days and try to come to a consensus

The Moderate BANG !

The Right Wing Conservative BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … CLICK … (RELOADS) BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … CLICK … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … CLICK … (RELOADS) BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … BANG … CLICK …

The Red Neck DAUGHTER: "Nice grouping, Daddy. Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points? SON: Can I shoot the next one? WIFE: You ain't taking that to the taxidermist. DAUGHTER: "Nice grouping, Daddy. Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points? SON: Can I shoot the next one? WIFE: You ain't taking that to the taxidermist.

If People Were Like Clay Conservatives would be hard, brittle and impossible to change Liberals would be like mud that takes no shape Moderates would be soft moldable

Response Main Idea: Moderate Republicans are often more similar to Moderate Democrats than to ultra- conservative Republicans and vice-versa. Supporting Details: Write a paragraph with details that support the main idea. Details should include examples from the self-assessment we did in class and the material in this slide show. Application to Self: Write a paragraph that explains your thoughts, opinions and experiences in relation to political philosophy