1. Expanding the Political Spectrum
A lesson on ideology
What is it we think government should do anyway?
After completing this lesson, students will work on two additional assignments….
Practice with Identifying Ideologies
Policy Proposals

2. Democrat
Republican
LEFT
RIGHT
Moderate
Liberal
Conservative

3. Extreme/Uncommon Ideologies
Anarchy
A political philosophy that advocates for the complete absence of government.
Theocracy
Governments that use a religion to rule its people
Libertarian
Support for minimal government control of both economic and social issues
As long as it does not negatively effect anyone else, then people should be free to do as they please. The government should not be involved.
Former Representative Ron Paul --Texas –unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988 as the Libertarian nominee.
Senator Rand Paul –Kentucky

4. Extreme/Uncommon Ideologies
Socialism
Economic liberals favor a lot of government involvement in economic policymaking and regulation of business.
Favor higher taxes especially on the wealthy  the 1%
Programs assisting the poor such as Medicare, universal health care.
Heavier regulation for businesses
Democratic Socialists:
Senator Bernie Sanders –Vermont
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez --NY

5. Contemporary Political Ideologies
Democrat
Republican
LEFT
RIGHT
Moderate
Liberal
Conservative
Contemporary Political Ideologies

7. Ideology Grid Economic Issues Social/Political Issues
Govt. Control
Liberal
Authoritarian
Most people will fit somewhere within the parameters of this circle.
Economic Issues
Libertarian
Conservative
Govt.
Control
Social/Political Issues
Freedom

8. So, Where Do you fit?
If you are like many Americans, you may tend to be more conservative on some issues and more liberal on others.
The limitation of one spectrum is that this circumstance will generally place you in the middle, which is not necessarily an accurate reflection of your ideology.
Remember, all of this discussion takes place with a base understanding and consensus on the social contract and modern “liberal” political thought.
People on every point on the spectrum generally want what is best for the country—they just differ on how to achieve it.

9. Contemporary Political Ideologies
Democrats/Liberals
Republicans/Conservatives
Recent President: Barack Obama
Support for greater government control/regulation in economic matters
More regulation of business, increased min wage, universal health care, increased gun control
Less government control/regulation of individual matters
Pro Choice, Pro Same Sex Marriage
Constitutional Interpretation:
Change as modern society evolves  Less Strict
Recent President: George W. Bush
Support for less government control/regulation in economic matters
Less regulation of business, less dependence on government: Welfare, Medicare, Social Security
Greater government control/regulation of individual matters
Pro Life, “Traditional” Marriage, Less gun control
Constitutional Interpretation:
Remain constant through the years  More Strict

10. Individual v. Community
Tradition vs. Change
Favor change over status quo
Favor tradition over change
Liberal
Conservative
Rights of the Community are more important
Rights of the Individual are more important
Individual v. Community

11. Economic Ideology Democrats Republicans Role of Government
Less Government influence
Regulation inhibits business growth
Taxes
Necessary to fund certain public goods, but less things should be provided by the government, therefore less money needed to fund.
What to do in a Recession:
Stimulate economic growth at the business level and have it “trickle down” to consumers.
↓ Taxes to business they use money to stimulate their business & eventually hire more people
↓ Government spending as a way to control unnecessary spending. Less money needed, less money to take from people.
Role of Government
More Government influence
More regulation to protect consumers
Taxes
Necessary to fund public goods
What to do in a Recession:
Provide direct aid to the people that need it.
↓Taxes to people most effected so that they can have more money to spend
↑ Government Spending to provide public assistance (Fixing roads)

12. Who Said It?
“I worked my way up from poverty to become the successful business owner I am today. I get frustrated when I think that my tax money goes to support people who won’t help themselves. I think part of the blame belongs with the media – they promote all the wrong values.”
Conservative
“I really don’t care what other people do in their free time, as long as they don’t bother me. I sure don’t like it when the government tells me what to do with my money or in my own home – I’m certainly not going to turn around and do the same thing to my neighbors.”
Libertarian
“I really worry about the state of the world today. It seems like more and more kids are growing up in poverty and there’s no one there to help them. I think we need to do more toward providing healthcare and education programs for our young people.”
Liberal

13. Why Does this Matter?
Ideology allows us to categorize ourselves, to find like minded people.
Identifies what you stand for, what is important to you.
It affects your perceptions of government and its appropriate role in a society.
As a result, it will affect how you act in the voting booth.
Elections have consequences!