Political Ideology22.3 Notes out!

Traditional Political Spectrum

• Conservatives tend to believe that there should be less government intervention in economic matters

• Liberals feel there should be less governmental regulation of social and political matters

• Moderates are opposed to extreme views and actions and include opinions of both liberals and conservatives

• 80% of Americans!!!

Liberal Conservative

Favor loose construction – a broad interpretation

Constitutional interpretation may change as modern society evolves

What are our standards today?

Favor strict construction – a narrow interpretation

Constitutional interpretation should remain constant through the years

What did the founders mean?

Extremes

• RADICALS: FAVORS RADICIAL CHANGE, EVEN THROUGH REVOLUTION.

• REACTIONARIES: WANTS TO RETREAT INTO THE PAST AND RESTORE THE ORDER OF THINGS THE WAY THEY USED TO BE.

The Spectrum with Politics in Mind

Radi

cal

Liber

al

Mod

erat

e

Cons

erva

tive Re

actio

nar

y

“LEFT” “RIGHT”

Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

Wants sweeping

changeBy any means;

sometimes violent or revolutionary

Change towards the future, new directions

Wants some change

Through compromise

Toward the future, new solutions

Few changes

Through compromise

Some new; some focus on tradition

Few or no changes

Through compromise

Toward the past, or stay with tradition

Wants sweepingchange

By Any means; sometimes violent or authoritarian

Change toward the past, the good old days

Historical Definitions

Where do Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau go on the spectrum?

Whatever you put for these numbers, put the opposite!• 3• 11• 13• 19• 21• 22

Political Spectrum Little Gov. control of

Economic issues

Much Gov. control of Economic issues

Little Gov. control of Social issues

Much Gov. control of Social issues

Conservative

PopulistLiberal

Libertarian

Govt.Control

Economic Issues

Libertarian

Conservative

Totalitarian

Liberal

Govt.Control

Freedom

Think about it…

• Knowing that 80% of Americans tend to be moderate, and that political ideologies do not always fall on one line, how would this affect political campaigns? How would they cater to a divided, yet moderate public?

• How can political labels be misleading? Are political parties limiting in any way?