Political Ideology and the Political Spectrum

1. Political Ideology and the Political Spectrum S.S. Core-9 December 17, 2012

2. Agenda • Achieve #10 • Return Quiz/Test/Assessment/Exam • What is Political Ideology • What is Political Spectrum • Political Ideology Quiz • Learning Target: Students will understand the forces which shape ideology and know the Political Spectrum existing within the United States

3. What is important to you? • Make a list of issues and topics which are really important to you. Why are they important?

4. What is Ideology? • A set of ideas which shapes one’s goals, expectations, and actions • A reflection of the needs and desires of an individual or group • Ultimately, your ideology determines the way in which you view things

5. How is Ideology Shaped? • Beliefs and values • Thoughts • Ideas • Goals • Actions • What forces do you believe have shaped your ideology?

6. What is Political Ideology? • Ideas and beliefs on the role of government in society • Offer a model of a desired future: a vision of a “good society” • Explain how political change can and should be brought about • What forces do you believe have shaped your political ideology?

7. Key Questions • Economics • 1. How much should the government be involved in the economy? • 2. Who should solve a countries' economic problems? • 3. What is the goal of society? • 4. How many government programs should exist? • 5. How will we pay for the solution?

8. Key Questions • Social Values • 1. What and who's values should be the basis for laws on social issues? • 2. How many laws should there be? • 3. How should government deal with violators of the law? • 4. How should the government deal with individual rights? • 5. What should be the relationship between government and religion?

9. What is the Political Spectrum • The range of political ideologies and beliefs found within a society • Ideologies are classified, then placed on a geometric shape to illustrate the wide range of beliefs

12. What defines the Spectrum? • Status Quo: • The way a society is organized politically, socially, and economically • Government Intervention: • The amount of influence (regulation) the government has in society

13. Draw and Label the Spectrum

14. Who are these people? • A Radical is one who… • Favors drastic change in the status quo • Government should seek basic equality for all

15. Who are these people? • A Liberal is one who… • Favors changing parts of the status quo • Desires more government programs to meet individual needs in areas where the private sector (business & other non-governmental groups) fail

16. Who are these people? • A Moderate is one who… • Change their feelings concerning status quo and government intervention depending on the issue • Example: A moderate may be liberal about school prayer, but conservative on abortion. • Most people in the U.S. see themselves fitting here

17. Who are these people? • A Conservative is one who… • Favors keeping the status quo as is • Any change should come slowly • Government should get involved in society only to enforce the rules, not to manage society

18. Who are these people? • A Reactionary is one who… • Favors returning to a status quo of an earlier time • Believes in less government and more individual responsibility • Much like the government of 1776

21. What is your Spot on the Spectrum? • Radical • Liberal • Conservative • Reactionary

22. What is your Spot on the Spectrum? • Radical • Liberal • Conservative • Reactionary

23. Agenda January 2, 2013 • 18-week Common Assessment • Key Questions • Spectrum Beliefs Chart • “What Do We Believe” Reading • Reading Guide due Friday

24. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How much should the government be involved in the economy? • More Government Regulations [Liberal] • Fewer Government Regulations [Conservative]

25. Political Spectrum Key Questions • Who should solve the country’s economic problems? • Private individuals (business, charity, family) [Conservative] • Government (bigger government) [Liberal]

26. Political Spectrum Key Questions • What is the goal of society? • More economic freedom [Conservative] • More economic equality and security [Liberal]

27. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How many government programs should exist? • More government programs [Liberal] • Fewer government programs [Conservative]

28. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How will we pay for the solution? • Higher taxes [Liberal] • Lower taxes [Conservative]

29. Political Spectrum Key Questions • What and who’s values should be the basis for laws on social issues? • Individual secular values [Liberal] • Majority traditional religious values [Conservative]

30. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How many laws should there be? • More laws [Liberal] • Fewer laws [Conservative]

31. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How should government deal with violators of the law? • Stricter punishment (emphasis on law & order) [Conservative] • Lenient punishment (emphasis on rehabilitation) [Liberal]

32. Political Spectrum Key Questions • How should the government deal with individual rights? • Emphasis on security of majority (physical security) [Conservative] • Emphasis on individual rights (civil liberties) [Liberal]

33. Political Spectrum Key Questions • What should be the relationship between government and religion? • Stricter separation of church and state [Liberal] • Government should accommodate the majority religion in public areas [Conservative]