1. Key words: Ideology – Radical – Constituencies -
Political Ideologies
Key words:
Ideology –
Radical –
Constituencies -

2. Political Ideologies and The Political Spectrum

3. The Political Spectrum
Left or Right….of What??
Left?
Right?
What’s in the middle?
What are on the ends?

4. The Original Dilemma
In the classical sense, the Political Spectrum reflected political ideologies’ opinions on how much control the government should have when it came to keeping order of the people.
There is more to government control than just keeping order of the people.

5. Introduction
Governments have to figure out their roles in (1)keeping order and (2)the economy
Political ideologies are basically ideas on what extent the government should be involved in those two areas

6. Mainstream Ideologies
Mainstream ideologies include Liberalism and Conservatism.
These mainstream ideologies do not want to make major changes in our political and social order.
Accept capitalism
But these two only scratch the surface of the continuum
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate

7. Liberalism
Liberalism-begins with the assumption that individuals are rational beings capable of overcoming obstacles to progress without resorting to violence.
Ideas of John Locke. Locke believed in the natural goodness of man.
Contract Theory- the state gains it legitimacy from the consent of the governed and is formed to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property. (limited government)

8. Contemporary Liberalism
Traditional Liberalism-begins with the assumption that individuals are rational beings capable of overcoming obstacles to progress without resorting to violence.
Contemporary Liberalism
Government should be responsible for assisting individuals, businesses, and communities in dealing with social and economic problems.
Government should ensure the economic well being of a nation and should provide basic material guarantees (food, shelter, health care, and education) to every individual.
Government should stay out of social issues.
Tolerance for different lifestyles.
Address the needs of unemployed, and farmers.

9. Contemporary Liberalism
The positive state cushions the excessive inequalities of power and wealth that arise in any capitalist system.
President Johnson's Great Society:
Rent supplements for the poor
Scholarships for college students
Aid to the arts and humanities
Higher pensions for government workers
Aid to children with disabilities
Food stamp program

10. Contemporary Liberalism
Policy Stances
Abortion: support
Stem cell research: support
Gun control: support
Civil unions/same sex marriage: support

11. Who Are The Liberals? Usually they are found in the Democratic party.
Constituencies include:
Minorities
Labor movement
Feminists
Poor
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate

12. Conservatism
Conservatism-holds that established customs, laws, and traditions, should guide society.
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France
The experience of past generations was the most reliable guide to good government
Customs, traditions, and laws should not be discarded
People were not equal in ability or talent

13. Contemporary Conservatism
Remains at it’s core a defense of economic individualism against the growth of the welfare state.
Welfare state programs only create a permanent class of the poor who are dependent on the state and have no incentives to enter the working world.

14. Contemporary Conservatism
Traditional Conservatism-holds that established customs, laws, and traditions, should guide society.
Contemporary Conservatism
The Great Depression proved to be detrimental to conservatism.
The beginning of the New Deal and many welfare state programs.
Popular acceptance of these programs placed conservatism on the defensive for many years.

15. Contemporary Conservatism
Conservatives have opposed most major liberal reforms. Including Social Security in 1935, and Medicare in 1965.
Since the 1980's conservatives have focused on:
Reducing social spending
Reshaping the tax code
Rebuilding national defense

16. Contemporary Conservatism
Conservatives support constitutional amendments restricting abortion and permitting prayer in public schools.
Policy Stances
Abortion: oppose
Stem cell research: oppose
Gun control: oppose
Civil unions/same sex marriage: oppose

17. Who are the Conservatives?
Usually they belong to the Republican Party.
While Republican presidents after the Great Depression identified with moderate ideas, Ronald Reagan openly embraced his conservatism.
Conservative
Liberal
Moderate

18. Radical Ideologies
As you move more right or more left, the ideas are more Radical
Democratic Socialists
Do not accept the capitalist system
Big corporations have too much power
Economic decisions should be in the hands of the government
Conservative
Socialists
Liberal
Moderate

19. Radical Ideologies Libertarianism
Economic system free of governmental interference.
Dismantle most welfare programs.
They want major changes, peaceful change
They enter candidates in elections but rarely win.
Liberal
Moderate
Socialists
Conservative
Libertarian

20. Radical Ideologies Totalitarianism
Government controls all aspects of social order and the economy
Few times (if ever) in history did a state reach “Perfect” totalitarianism, although some came close (ie: Nazi-Germany or Stalin USSR)
Liberal
Moderate
Totalitarianism
Socialists
Conservative
Libertarian

21. Radical Ideologies Anarchism (Anarchy)
No government involvement whatsoever
Not even for something simple like a traffic light at a busy intersection
Totalitarianism
Socialists
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Libertarian
Anarchism

22. One Dimensional spectrums = Inconsistency
What if you favor gov’t programs like welfare (liberal) but are against gov’t regulations on gun control (conservative)? In theory your inconsistent and can’t fit on this spectrum.
Totalitarianism
Socialists
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Libertarian
Anarchism

23. Fortunately, there are two distinct Spectrums
Order
Totalitarianism
Anarchism
Economy
Capitalism
Communism
Unfortunately, its to hard to look at 2 spectrums when separated

24. The Two-Dimensional Spectrum
Anarchism
Libertarian
Conservative
Economy
Totalitarianism
Moderate
Socialists
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Libertarian
Anarchism
Liberal
Socialists
Totalitarianism
Order

25. The 2D Spectrum: Better identifies ideologies placements