 Process by which society makes it governing decisions  Whose values or ideas will prevail in society  Ability to manipulate uneducated voter  Who gets what, when, and how

 WHOLE PURPOSE OF POLITICAL PARTIES TODAY IS TO WIN ELECTIONS  Inevitable Result: Political Conflict

 Liberal ◦ Favor an activist government in providing economic security and also to redistribute the wealth ◦ Favor personal choice in social/moral issues

 Favor hands-off government in determining economic security  Government should uphold traditional social values

 Extremist ◦ Term used to describe actions or ideologies of individuals or groups outside perceived political center of a society  Moderate ◦ Individual who holds an intermediate position between 2 viewpoints, neither or extreme or radical

 Radical ◦ Person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods  Progressive ◦ Person who favors progress or reform  Anarchists, Communists, Fascists

 Libertarians ◦ Oppose an activist government in regulating the economy ◦ Support liberal social beliefs  Populists ◦ Favor activist government ◦ Economy and upholding traditional social values