This Week: Examining Political IdeologiesSeptember 11, 2017

1. What is meant by Ideology? What are different ideologies?

2. What is the Political Spectrum and what does it mean to be left wing/right wing?

3. What about the Economic Spectrum?

4. What are the major political parties in Canada and the US and what makes them right wing/left wing?

5. Where do you fall on the political spectrum?

Ideology

A systematic set of values and beliefs that provide for an understanding of the world

Origins of the Political Spectrum

• French Revolution, variety of opinions on what should happen politically in France

• People began to form groups (parties) of like-minded individuals

• Some parties wanted to maintain a sovereign monarch, others a constitutional monarch, others called for total abolishment of monarchy and execution of the King.

• These parties sat in the Legislative Assembly with the most conservative on the right and the most liberal on the left

Ideologies & Related Terms

• Anarchy• Radical• Moderate• Liberal• Conservative• Reactionary

• Socialism• Communist• Authoritarian• Fascist• Totalitarian• Alt-Right

1.Read pages 18 – 22 in textbook

2. Create working definitions in your notes for the following terms (page 19 and/or the glossary)

The Political Spectrum

(general characteristics)

left centre right

• Progress & Change

• Freedom

• Equality

• Conservatism

• Adherence to tradition

• Status Quo

Social liberalism and social conservatism

Gun control?

Same-sex marriages or unions?

Healthcare?

Crime and Punishment?

Abortion?

Liberals? Conservatives?

right to choose right to life

rehabilitation longer sentences

universal some privatization

marriage union

yes reticent

Two Spectrums

•Social Issues

•Economic Issues

Government controls production – equal distribution

of resources

(centralized government- high

regulation of industry)

The Economic Spectrum

Communism Socialism Liberalism Conservatism

Private citizens own and control industries

(privatization) – some people are rich

and some are poor

(decentralized government –low regulation of industry)

What social and economic policies can explain Castro’s location on this grid?