Political SpectrumPolitical Spectrum

DefinitionsDefinitions

• political spectrum- the image political spectrum- the image above, a line graph that shows above, a line graph that shows how liberal or conservative you how liberal or conservative you areare

• Liberal (3) - a person who wants Liberal (3) - a person who wants the political system to change, the political system to change, the most extreme version of the most extreme version of this is called a radical (1).this is called a radical (1).

• Conservative (7)- a person who does Conservative (7)- a person who does not want the political system to not want the political system to change, the most extreme version of change, the most extreme version of a conservative is called a reactionary a conservative is called a reactionary (9). A reactionary actually wants to (9). A reactionary actually wants to change things back to how they use change things back to how they use to be in the ‘good old days.’to be in the ‘good old days.’

• Moderate (5)- a person who is not too Moderate (5)- a person who is not too extreme about wanting change. extreme about wanting change. Rather they are in the middle on Rather they are in the middle on most issues.most issues.

SynonymsSynonyms

• Left=liberalLeft=liberal

• Right=conservativeRight=conservative

• Center=moderateCenter=moderate

RepublicansRepublicans• The conservative The conservative

party of the two party of the two parties. Some of parties. Some of their main their main supporters are big supporters are big business, white business, white males, religious males, religious groups, and rural groups, and rural voters that favor voters that favor smaller government, smaller government, less taxes, and a less taxes, and a strong military.strong military.

DemocratsDemocrats• The liberal party of The liberal party of

the two parties. the two parties. Some of their main Some of their main supporters are supporters are working class people, working class people, ethnic minorities and ethnic minorities and urban voters that urban voters that favor policies that favor policies that support the ‘common support the ‘common person.’ In general, person.’ In general, they believe in they believe in legislating the legislating the economy, but not economy, but not personal valuespersonal values

Application:Application: Please read the four statements about health Please read the four statements about health care and use these statements to answer the following care and use these statements to answer the following questions.questions.

Speaker A ______________________Speaker A ______________________I am opposed to any further changes in the medical care I am opposed to any further changes in the medical care system. It is okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need system. It is okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need to expand coverage.to expand coverage.Speaker B ______________________Speaker B ______________________Free medical care should be provided to all US citizens Free medical care should be provided to all US citizens regardless of age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy regardless of age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy country as the US that medical care is often given to only country as the US that medical care is often given to only those who can afford it. those who can afford it. Speaker C ______________________Speaker C ______________________Medical care for the old and poor in the US represents just Medical care for the old and poor in the US represents just another step toward socialism. The individual soon will be another step toward socialism. The individual soon will be destroyed by the government creating a welfare state.destroyed by the government creating a welfare state.Speaker D ______________________Speaker D ______________________There is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all There is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all children regardless of a parent’s income.children regardless of a parent’s income.

AnswersAnswers

•1 1 – BB– DD– AA– CC

2. Application:2. Application: Please read the four statements about Please read the four statements about health care and use these statements to answer the following health care and use these statements to answer the following questions.questions.

Speaker A Speaker A ConservativeConservativeI am opposed to any further changes in the medical care I am opposed to any further changes in the medical care system. It is okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need system. It is okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need to expand coverage.to expand coverage.

Speaker B Speaker B RadicalRadicalFree medical care should be provided to all US citizens Free medical care should be provided to all US citizens regardless of age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy regardless of age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy country as the US that medical care is often given to only country as the US that medical care is often given to only those who can afford it. those who can afford it.

Speaker C Speaker C ReactionaryReactionaryMedical care for the old and poor in the US represents just Medical care for the old and poor in the US represents just another step toward socialism. The individual soon will be another step toward socialism. The individual soon will be destroyed by the government creating a welfare state.destroyed by the government creating a welfare state.

Speaker D Speaker D LiberalLiberalThere is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all There is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all children regardless of a parent’s income.children regardless of a parent’s income.

•33 CC

•44 DD

•55 B/DB/D

•66 CC

•7 C7 C

Where do these people ‘fit’ Where do these people ‘fit’ on the political spectrum? on the political spectrum? Please look at the spectrum Please look at the spectrum at the start of the paper and at the start of the paper and select a number 1-9 for select a number 1-9 for these people.these people.• ___ ___ President Obama President Obama

___ ___ President George W. Bush President George W. Bush ___ ___ Governor Rick Scott Governor Rick Scott ___ ___ Yourself Yourself

Issue Democrats RepublicansAbortionCapital punishmentGun controlDefense spendingWelfareLegalization of drugsWomen’s rightsGay marriageSex educationPrayer in schools

Issue Democrats RepublicansAbortion Pro-choice Pro-LifeCapital punishment

Against For

Gun control For AgainstDefense spending Decrease IncreaseWelfare Expand DecreaseLegalization of drugs

More likely to consider “War on Drugs”

Women’s rights Modern gender roles promoted, men & women do the same things

Traditional Roles more promoted

Gay marriage For AgainstSex education Birth control AbstinencePrayer in schools Limit religion’s role in society Expand religion’s role in

society

VocabularyVocabulary

Civil LibertiesCivil Liberties

• The legal area that The legal area that revolves around the basic revolves around the basic right to be free from right to be free from unequal treatment based unequal treatment based on certain protected on certain protected characteristics in settings characteristics in settings such as employment and such as employment and housing.housing.– race race – GenderGender– religionreligion– disabilitydisability

Civil RightsCivil Rights

• Concern basic rights and Concern basic rights and freedoms that are freedoms that are guaranteedguaranteed -- either explicitly identified in -- either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts through the years by courts and lawmakers.and lawmakers.– Freedom of speechFreedom of speech– The right to privacyThe right to privacy– The right to be free from The right to be free from

unreasonable searches of your unreasonable searches of your homehome

– The right to a fair court trialThe right to a fair court trial