1. Where do you fit? How does it affect voting & elections?
Political Spectrum
Where do you fit?
How does it affect voting & elections?

2. FACTS
The political spectrum is a term used to refer the differences in ideology between the major political parties in the U.S.
Those ideas normally ascribed to the Democratic Party are referred to as being to the “left”
Those ideas normally ascribed to the Republican Party are referred to as being to the “right”
Many individuals have ideas on both sides of the spectrum, but most people generally gravitate to one side more than the other.
References of people being “to the left” or “to the right” can be traced back to the French Revolution, where those deemed “conservative” sat to the right of the legislative assembly and those labeled “liberal” sat to the left.

3. Copy this chart in your notes.
Ultra-Conservative
Ultra-Liberal

4. Where are you? There are numerous tests on the internet.
Be careful about who is sponsoring them. Some can be biased.

5. ULTRA-LIBERAL One who demands immediate change.
Willing to use extreme measure to obtain it.
Usually want a totally different social system.
“Radicals”

6. LIBERAL
One who wants progressive change, but gradually; willing to work within the system.
Not afraid to try to new things that may not be in the “norm.”

7. MODERATE/INDEPENDENT
Middle-of-the-road.
Liberal on some issues and conservative on others.
Usually votes on the issues, not the person or party.
The “Purple Voter”

8. CONSERVATIVE
Slow to change; cautious.
Traditional.
Laissez faire.

9. ULTRA-CONSERVATIVE Wants to turn back to the clock in time.
Very traditional.
Willing to use extreme measures.
“Reactionary”

10. Ultra-Liberal Groups
Radicals

11. Berkeley
Tree-sitters

12. Greenpeace Protestors at Dow Chemical in Houston

13. PETA Protestors:
1) Protesting the killing of cows for meat.
2) Against fur in front of Burberry in New York City.

14. Ultra Conservative Groups

15. White
Supremacists

16. Abortion Clinic Bombings

17. Should the government Intervene?
NO!
YES!
LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
SOCIAL/POLITICAL
ISSUES
Conservatives favor BROAD government regulation of individual behavior.
Liberals favor LIMITED government regulation of individual behavior.

18. Should the government Intervene?
YES!
NO!
LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
ECONOMIC ISSUES
Conservatives favor LIMITED government involvement in economic policy and regulation of business.
Liberals favor BROAD government involvement in economic policy and regulation of business.

19. Here’s where some famous politicians are…
                
Ted Kennedy
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton
Colin Powell
George Bush
John McCain
George W. Bush
Ronald Reagan
<
Liberal
Conservative
>
Moderate

20. Political Parties & the Spectrum
In non-election years, the political parties move toward the ends of the political spectrum. They appeal to their base – their die-hard supporters – during this time.
During election years, the political parties move toward the middle to appeal to party moderates and to independent voters.
A growing number of voters describe themselves as “independent,” meaning they vote for the candidate that most appeals to them, not because they identify with a particular party.

22. Wal-Mart
Target
Main Street U.S.A.

23. New State Highway
Wal-Mart
Target
Main Street U.S.A.

24. New State Highway
Target
Wal-Mart
Main Street U.S.A.

25. Why did both companies move closer to the highway?
New State Highway
Target
Wal-Mart
Main Street U.S.A.
Why did both companies move closer to the highway?