Political Parties and Philosophies

Political Spectrum

Political Spectrum with Famous Leaders

Liberalism

The belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Constitutionalism Free and fair elections Liberal democracy Human rights Capitalism Free trade Religious freedom

People, regardless of party affiliation, can identify as liberal in this sense.

Several variants of liberalism, i. e. classical liberalism and social liberalism

Conservatism

A political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports. Minimal and gradual change to society, return to the way

things were. Fiscal conservatism Supply-side economics

economic growth can be created by reducing regulations for people to produce (supply) goods and services.

Social conservatism Libertarian conservatism Religious conservatism Bio-conservatism Support a strong military

AUTHORITARIAN: FASCISMLIBERTARIAN: ANARCHISM

FAR LEFT: COMMUNISMFAR RIGHT: NEO-LIBERALISM, NEO-CONSERVATISM

Definitions: The Extremes of the Spectrum

Authoritarianism

Opposed to individualism and democracyPolitical authority is in the hands of a small

group of political elite Typically unelected by the people Have exclusive, unaccountable power

Social and economic institutions exist that are not controlled by the government

People must submit to the authority of the state.

Authoritarianism

Fascism is an example of an authoritarian government. a nation requires strong leadership singular collective identity will and ability to commit violence and

wage war in order to keep the nation strong.

Libertarianism

Political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society.

Advocate minimal government activity.Goal of maximizing personal liberty and

political freedom.There are several strains of libertarianism.

Libertarianism

Anarchism Political philosophy that considers the state to be

undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful. Oppose the idea that power and domination are

necessary for society. Advocate cooperative, anti-hierarchical forms of

social, political, and economic organization May live collectively Consensus vs. majority rules

There are several strains of anarchism

Far-Left

Communism or Marxism A social, political, and economic movement that seeks

the following goals: A classless society A stateless society

Literally no government or countries Common ownership of the means of production

Anti-capitalist Several different kinds of communists.

Far Left

Communism in history and today- reality vs. theory Communist states

One-party system Claim allegiance to Leninism and/or Marxism Usually refer to themselves socialist states or Workers’ states Planned economies- limited free markets Large amount of state sponsored social organizations Widely regarded as de facto dictatorships State owns means of production

History: USSR, Eastern Bloc countries Today: China, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam

Far Right

Neo-liberalism Market driven approach to economic and social policy.

Relatively open markets Want private control of the economy rather than public

(government) control Governments should not have deficits No more public spending on pro-poor services like

education, health care, and welfare programs. Reform taxes, lower tax rates Deregulation of business

Environment, consumer protections, oversight of financial institutions

Far Right

Neo-conservatism A perspective on how U.S. should conduct foreign

policy. Democracy promotion

Assisting movements for democracy• Economic sanctions• Military actions

Favor free-market policies Support national government in fighting poverty and

promoting the public good, but are influenced by libertarian beliefs.

THE LEFT: SOCIALISM, DEMOCRATSTHE RIGHT: LIBERTARIANISM, REPUBLICANS

Definitions: Towards the Middle of the Spectrum

The Left Side of the Spectrum

CENTER

Authoritarian/ Socialism Democratic Communism Party

Left Side of the Spectrum

Socialism An economic system

Means of production are state owned or commonly owned

Controlled cooperatively Meant to empower the worker

A political philosophy advocating the economic changes in the state.

The Left Side of the Spectrum

Democratic Party Size of national government

Support a strong federal government and look to it to solve a variety of problems.

Taxes Favor tax cuts for the poor, but are more willing to raise taxes on

the rich to support programs they see as beneficial to society. Regulation of business

Support government regulation of business to protect consumers, workers, or the environment.

Social issues More likely to support abortion rights, gun control laws, and oppose

school prayer Minimum wage

Favor regular increases to the minimum wage to support poor families.

A major party in the U. S. two-party system.

The Right Side of the Spectrum

Republican Libertarian Anarchism Party

Party

CENTER

Right Side of the Spectrum

Libertarian Party Minimally regulated markets

Laissez-faire Minimally regulated borders Non-interventionism in foreign policy Freedom of trade Freedom of movement Constitutional limitations on government

Elimination of most state functions

Right Side of the Spectrum

Republican Party Size of national government

Favor limiting the size of the national government and giving more power to the states to solve problems at a local level.

Taxes Favor broad-based tax cuts to encourage economic growth and

allow people to keep what they earn Regulation of business

Oppose excessive regulation of business by the government Social issues

Favor prayer in schools, oppose abortion and gun control laws Minimum wage

Oppose minimum wage laws as unnecessary economic regulation

A major party in the U. S. two-party system

The Middle of the spectrum

Centrists The middle between left-wing politics and right-wing

politics. Tend to focus around policies, such as:

Progressive taxation (taxation based on income, tax rate increases based on the amount of money you have)

Civil liberties Human rights Economic liberalism Social liberalism

Independents

Chose not to align with a political partyIndependents=Centrists?

Not necessarily

Independents may have a viewpoint more extreme than a major party.

May also have a viewpoint based on issues that no other major party addresses.

Independent politicians Don’t want to have to deal with party policies May form a political party to run for public office

TEST TAKING SKILLS (RIGHT IN TIME FOR YOUR PRACTICE ACT!)MORE ON THE ELECTION PROCESS

HOMEWORK: GO TO A POLITICAL PARTY WEBSITE. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. FIND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

•WHERE THE PARTY STANDS ON MAJOR ISSUES•PROMINENT PEOPLE/POLITICIANS IN THE PARTY

•HOW DOES THE WEBSITE PORTRAY OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES?

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