Definition: A body of ideas or views of the world that reflect the social needs, values, and ideas of an individual or groupPolitical Spectrum

Broad AgreementsUS ideologies: Liberal, Conservative, and

Moderate

Define: Political view that favors the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties and social progress

Social problems solved best with gov. involvement

DemocratsExample: spending more tax money on

welfare programs

Definition: Favors traditional values and government staying out of the private affairs of citizens.

Social problems are best solved by individuals

RepublicansEx: Keep taxes low so people can spend

their money on their problems

Definition: A person opposed to extreme views and whose political attitude is between that of a conservative and liberal.

Outlook depends on the issueRepublican, Democrat, Independent“Mushy Middle”

Definition: Extremely Conservative political views who favors changes to return to an earlier government or society

Willing to use violenceMany totalitarian dictatorshipsFascists, National Socialism

Definition: Extremely liberal political views; favors widespread change to the current political and social order

Willing to use violenceRevolutionGovernment provides for the collective

good of the peopleCommunist

“The first priority of the Government should be to do everything for everybody”

“I believe that you can think for yourself. I believe that you can spend you money better than the government can. I believe that everyone benefits from individual freedom and choice. And I believe that if these responsibilities”

“ Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.”

Definition: An organization of citizens who wish to influence and control government by getting members elected to office

Similar ideas shared by membersParty gains control in government, party

gets what the party wants

1. Parties point out the weaknesses in other parties and their candidates.

2. Parties recommend programs and laws that guide the actions of gov.

3. Parties keep members informed and help keep all citizens interested in their gov.

4. Parties ensure that public officials do a good job so voters will re-elect them.

5. Parties select candidates who run for election to public offices in the gov.

A multi axis modelOrganizes political

ideologies on two levelsEconomic: Left to

RightSocial: Authoritarian

to Libertarian

EconomicLeft: The economy should be run by a

cooperative collective agency (state/commune)Right: The economy should be left to the

individuals and organizations to make decisions

SocialAuthoritarian: Authority and tradition should

be obeyedLibertarian: personal freedom should be

maximized

Who do you recognize?What does location mean?

Where do you fall on the political compass?Go to: www.politicalcompass.org and take the test! Click show graph on a separate page for printing and

print.Please write or type(if time) your name and an

explanation of your beliefs. Think back to the questions you were asked and your responses to them. You will not be judged on what you wrote.

Please write two paragraphs. Identify which you were: Authoritarian Left, Authoritarian

Right, Libertarian Left, or Libertarian RightYour first paragraph describe where you stand

economically (left to right)Your second paragraph describes where you stand socially

(libertarian to authoritarian).