Political Ideology 22.3 Notes out!

Traditional Political Spectrum Conservatives tend to believe that there should be less government intervention in economic matters Liberals feel there should be less governmental regulation of social and political matters Moderates are opposed to extreme views and actions and include opinions of both liberals and conservatives 80% of Americans!!!

LiberalConservative  Favor loose construction – a broad interpretation  Constitutional interpretation may change as modern society evolves  What are our standards today?  Favor strict construction – a narrow interpretation  Constitutional interpretation should remain constant through the years  What did the founders mean?

Extremes RADICALS: FAVORS RADICIAL CHANGE, EVEN THROUGH REVOLUTION. REACTIONARIES: WANTS TO RETREAT INTO THE PAST AND RESTORE THE ORDER OF THINGS THE WAY THEY USED TO BE.

The Spectrum with Politics in Mind Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary “LEFT”“RIGHT”

Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary Wants sweeping change By any means; sometimes violent or revolutionary Change towards the future, new directions Wants some change Through compromise Toward the future, new solutions Few changes Through compromise Some new; some focus on tradition Few or no changes Through compromise Toward the past, or stay with tradition Wants sweeping change By Any means; sometimes violent or authoritarian Change toward the past, the good old days Historical Definitions Where do Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau go on the spectrum?

Whatever you put for these numbers, put the opposite!

Political Spectrum Little Gov. control of Economic issues Much Gov. control of Economic issues Little Gov. control of Social issues Much Gov. control of Social issues Conservative Populist Liberal Libertarian

Govt. Control Economic Issues Libertarian ConservativeTotalitarian Liberal Govt. Control Freedom

Think about it… Knowing that 80% of Americans tend to be moderate, and that political ideologies do not always fall on one line, how would this affect political campaigns? How would they cater to a divided, yet moderate public? How can political labels be misleading? Are political parties limiting in any way?