1. PowerPoint 4: Political Parties

2. What is a political ideology?
A political ideology is a set of shared ideas or beliefs about how politics and government should function.
Common ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. Others include communism and fascism.

3. What is the political spectrum?
The political spectrum characterizes beliefs, values and priorities, and provides a framework in which to view and evaluate political parties and policies.
A linear spectrum is represented as a horizontal line, with parties on the left embracing social equality, bigger government and more services, and parties on the right favouring tradition, smaller government and lower taxes.

4. Political Spectrum Questions
Should the minimum wage be increased or decreased?
Should the government spend more or less on our education system?
Should wealthier people pay more or less in taxes?

5. What is a political party?
A political party is a group of like-minded individuals with a shared vision and common political ideology.
Anyone above the required age can be a member of a political party — for most parties, that age is 14.
Party members work together to achieve power through an election, form government and create meaningful political change.
Each party also selects a leader, usually through a leadership contest or vote.

6. Saskatchewan Political Parties
There are 6 registered political parties in Saskatchewan.
Green Party of Saskatchewan
New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan (NDP)
Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
Saskatchewan Party
Western Independence Party (WIP)

7. Saskatchewan Political Parties

8. What is a party platform?
A series of declared principles and policies on jurisdictional issues concerning government and the public.
While all the political parties may agree that education is a priority, they may have different ideas about how to improve the system or which aspects to focus on.
Political parties announce their platform through announcements, advertising and events, and share their ideas to attract support from voters.

9. How does a party form government?
The party that elects the most number of representatives or wins the most seats usually forms government.
At the provincial level, the leader of the party that forms government becomes the premier.
After the 2011 provincial election, the Saskatchewan Party formed government with 49 out of 58 legislative seats.

10. 2011 Provincial Election Results
Political Party
Candidates Elected
Popular Vote
Saskatchewan Party 49
64.25%
New Democratic Party 9
31.97%
Green Party
2.87%
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
0.56%
Progressive Conservative Party
0.33%
Western Independence Party
0.01%
Independent 10

11. 2011 Provincial Student Vote Results
Political Party
Candidates Elected
Popular Vote
Saskatchewan Party 45
54.03%
New Democratic Party 12
28.15%
Green Party
15.32%
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
1.62%
Progressive Conservative Party
0.71%
Western Independence Party
0.11%
Independent
0.06% 11

12. Final Thoughts Why are political parties important?
What advantages and disadvantages are there to running for a party?
Would you ever join a political party? Why or why not?