THE POLITICAL

SPECTRUM

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

ARE YOU LEFT, RIGHT OR MODERATE?

LEFT OF MODERATE
Liberal (Left) Government should play a big role in social reform and well-being.
Focus on issues such as poverty, education, and environment

Favor change; sometimes called progressive Examples: Democrats, Green Party

RIGHT OF MODERATE
Conservative (Right Wing) Government should stay out of the lives of citizens and businesses. Exception: Moral issues/family values
Example: Abortion, Gay Marriage

Favor status quo Resistant to change Want to work within system Examples: Republican, Reform

MODERATE
Moderate (Middle) Opinions fall between left and right Tolerant of multiple view points Not extreme about issues

Example: Independent, Undeclared

Far Left
Radical (Far Left) Favor fundamental changes Want to reverse the domination of the wealthy over poor Often support highly centralized government Want a total overhaul of the system Example: Communist

Far Right
Reactionary (Far Right) Advocate return to a historical system. Very traditional views on who should have power. Often very religious, moralistic and/or ideological. Will use extreme measures (such as violence) to reinforce laws power.

Examples: Dictatorships, Absolute Monarchies, Oligarchies (e.g. Taliban)

TAKE A MOMENT TO APPLY THIS NEW IDEA

Imagine that your house is a country and your parents are the leaders. What type of leaders are they?
Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

Explain your choice in one sentence. Then share your response with a neighbor.

 CHANGE
PROBLEMS CIRCUMSTANTIAL

TRADITION PROBLEMS ARE INDIVIDUAL

GOVT RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGE

EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS!

VALUES ARE RELATIVE

HUMAN RIGHTS

GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY PERSONAL FREEDOMS, ESPECIALLY ECONOMIC PROPERTY RIGHTS
MORAL ABSOLUTES

DRAW IT
The next few slides show different sides of important issues. Make a two column table and draw symbols that represent positions on each side of the political spectrum.
Liberal/Left (Pro-environment) Conservative/Right (Pro-business)

MORALITY/IDEOLOGIES
CHANGE
PRO-CHOICE

TRADITION
PRO-LIFE

GAY MARRIAGE

HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE ONLY, FAMILY VALUES

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AT ALL COSTS

FREEDOM OF SPEECH WITH LIMITS

PROBLEMS IN SOCIETY
CIRCUMSTANTIAL INDIVIDUAL

WELFARE PROGRAMS

LIMITS ON WELFARE

HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE

PRIVATE HEALTH CARE

DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

TOUGH ON CRIME

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
GOVT RESPONSIBLE FOR SOCIAL REFORM
MORE EDUCATION FUNDING ASSISTANCE PROGRMAS FOR POOR AND MINORITIES

GOVT SHOULD BE LESS INVOLVED

SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE CHARITY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

DE-REGULATION

RIGHTS
HUMAN RIGHTS
ENVIRONMENT

PROPERTY RIGHTS
PRO-BUSINESS

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

TAX CUTS

CRIME PREVENTION AND REHIBILITATION

TOUGH ON CRIME; DEATH PENALTY

Think-Pair-Share
Which side (liberal or conservative) would be most likely to send their country to war? Why do you think that? Think about your answer Pair up with a neighbor Share your responses

The train station analogy

Rex Tugwell, an advisor to president Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), said that different attitudes toward change characterize different political philosophies. He wrote that if a community needed a new train station (or education reform, crime control, etc.)

Fill in the blank with: radical, liberal, conservative, or reactionary __________ would rebuild the station while the trains are still running, __________ prefer to blow up the train station and forgo service until the new structure is built, __________ would prefer to keep the old station, being satisfied with it, while __________ would abandon the station entirely since they do not approve of trains in the first place.

REFLECTION
Finish the following thoughts: I agree that... What I learned made me think of I feel about what I learned today. I am still wondering

Other Resources
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgo vernmentandlaw/politicalbeliefs/preview.wem l
http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservati ve-vs-liberal-beliefs/