1. The Language of Politics
Political Spectrum
The Language of Politics

2. Ideology
What is it?
System of beliefs or ideas nations have or their political culture
A relationship between ruler and the people
Individuals, like nations, have an ideology
Your placement on the political spectrum depends on…..
Your ideology
what YOU think causes of the problems are AND how the problems are solved
Your “ideology” is based on your experiences with and among other men. It is essentially what one’s experience has taught them about the “beast”, his essential nature or character and the man
Essential question is in a state of nature, is man basically “good” or “evil”. What did you learn from your experience among men? Your opinion was forgeddd by the time you were 8-10 years old and you’ll never basically change that opinion---you can’t, it’s ingrained. You will then fall somewhere on the political spectrum. (to come later, which will categorize you on the left or the right. ) Based on that perception you have , you will then have an opinion on how the “beast” should be governed/ handled. Does man need strong controls by gov’t or can society tolerate less controls. A matter of degree, of how much control. Each of you have a view on that and always will.

3. Political Spectrum Definition
Full range of ideas/views people may have on any given issue or idea

4. Polticial Spectrum and You
Placement on the spectrum depends on three factors
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the “nature of man”...John Locke or Thomas Hobbes?????
How much control do people need?
How much change do you want in society or the world?
Bottom line; can man control himself and do what is right or does he need government intervention to control him because man is basically a brute and selfish???? Thomas Hobbes
Where do you Fall??? If you are not sure try this:
you go camping in the mountains, it’s evening (near darkness) and you are on a stroll through the trees, out enjoying nature, etc….You come to a clearing and area on the edge of it. On the other side you see someone else enter the clearing ( a man). What do you do???? Enter the clearing , say hello, talk about beauty, nature, etc…. Or back off, turn around and go back to “safety”
OR Would you walk the streets at night in Oakland, Harlem, SF, East LA. ETC… Do you trust people to always “do the right thing or do you suspect that is given a chance, they’ll stab you in the back to get a leg up on you, especially a competitor in a given area (job, business, socially)

5. Classical Political Spectrum
There are many different kinds of political spectrums
For our purposes we are using a classical political spectrum that has its roots in the Enlightenment Era
Can people be trusted to govern themselves or do they need the monarchy?
So how does it tie into The U.S.?
We are talking mainly about social issues and can people be trusted to make the right decisions?

6. Terms for Labeling the Spectrum
Moderate
Conservative
Liberal
Radical
Reactionary
Neo Con
Ultra Conservation
Radical Right

7. Right
Left
Reactionary
Liberal
Radical
Conservative

8. General Characterizations
Left Wing
optimistic view of human nature
Group needs dominate
John Locke
Right Wing
pessimistic view of human nature
Self-interest dominates
Thomas Hobbes
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS----don’t think of it from the U.S. political party perspectives Democrats and Republicans
Left—trust that the common man will help one other; optimistic that man will follow his instincts to do the right thing
Right wing- suspicious of man; believe self-interest dominates;
you can’t get something for nothing, dog eat dog world

9. General Characterizations
Left Wing
Less control needed
Less government involvement because people can be trusted to do the correct thing
Right Wing
More controls
More government involvement to maintain order and stability
left- People are basically good, there is less need government to control them; Men’s basic instinct is to better humanity as a whole and this can only be done with greater freedoms.
Right – more controls are needed to ensure that internal order and stability is maintained. Most people want it in their lives, the chance to pursue their own happiness, you can’t do that w/o order, law and stability (Look at Iraq, Afghanistan where no adequate controls exist you have chaos)
AGAIN---what is the basic nature of the beast (man)….Is man willing to submit to controls? Perhaps, yes, IF he gets order, law and stability in return --- so he can obtain the “Happiness” he deserves/ Experience shows this. However, again, it is the amount of controls and what is the TRADEOFF? If the degree of control is “TOO Harsh” he rebels. WHY? Because that will limit his happiness.
Left- less govt needed because individuals do what is right; don’t need to be monitored in every day life
Right- more govt needed, stability is needed for a civilized society, ensures progress and govt needed to protect business and private property, which is a human right. WHY?????

10. General Characterizations
Right Wing
Less change is desirable
Man is competitive
A natural hierarchy works
Stress liberty
Want a less permissive society
Property rights have priority
Concerned with order
Left Wing
More change is good
Man is cooperative
A natural equality exists w/o ranks
Stress equality
Want a more permissive society
Human rights have priority
Concerned with civil liberties
Left – more open to change, future oriented what do we need for tomorrow; man can do better, make a better world for everyone, experiment with value system; values can and will change with times; change = progress dynamic society
Right- less change is desirable, keep things as they are, protect the privileged so they can run society, preservation of the present and solid values that got us where we are; traditions good, old values good, preserve them to ensure the future, There are some ultimate truths – so why try to change them????
Change is OK and inevitable – just do it SLOWLY so it STICKS (that which is good) and then preserve what is good. Certain values are and always will be essential = certain truths I.e. Man achieves more when he is challenged (Competitive); man cannot be happy amid chaos, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Kepp what is valuable and protect and preserve it. ; mindless fads and nonsense/ chaos/ confusion without solid foundation.

11. This Week’s Homework Due Next Thursday, 2/23/12
Place the following political figures on a political spectrum: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, President Obama, Rep. Pete Stark, Senator Feinstein, and Senator Boxer