The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum Your views on economic, social, and Your views on economic, social, and

religious issues has a direct impact religious issues has a direct impact upon the Political Party that you wish upon the Political Party that you wish to support. For instance,to support. For instance,

Should the government censor the arts?Should the government censor the arts? Should Marijuana be de-criminalized?Should Marijuana be de-criminalized? Should all Canadians receive equal Should all Canadians receive equal

access to health care?access to health care? Should taxes be raised to pay for much Should taxes be raised to pay for much

needed social programs?needed social programs? Should money be redistributed from the Should money be redistributed from the

richer provinces to the poorer ones?richer provinces to the poorer ones? Should same sex marriages be Should same sex marriages be

recognized?recognized?

The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum

Anti-Globalization Rally

Supporter of the Gun Lobby

The Political Spectrum: Right Wing, The Political Spectrum: Right Wing, Left Wing and ModeratesLeft Wing and Moderates

When people describe their When people describe their political views, they often political views, they often refer to themselves as “Right refer to themselves as “Right wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Liberal), or wing” (Liberal), or “moderate” (in the middle).“moderate” (in the middle).

How you place yourself on How you place yourself on the Political Spectrum is the Political Spectrum is based on your responses to based on your responses to Political issues.Political issues.

How do you know what you How do you know what you are?are?

LiberalsLiberals Liberals tend to hold the Liberals tend to hold the

following Political Views:following Political Views: Government should be Government should be

heavily involved in the lives heavily involved in the lives of citizens.of citizens.

Citizens should have equal Citizens should have equal opportunities through law opportunities through law (e.g. affirmative action (e.g. affirmative action programs)programs)

Strong support of social Strong support of social programs such as welfare, programs such as welfare, medicare and pensionsmedicare and pensions

Higher taxes to pay for social Higher taxes to pay for social programsprograms

A small military A small military

ConservativesConservatives Conservatives tend to hold the Conservatives tend to hold the

following views:following views: There should be minimal There should be minimal

government intervention in the government intervention in the economyeconomy

Citizens should take greater Citizens should take greater responsibility for themselvesresponsibility for themselves

They believe in traditional values They believe in traditional values (e.g. religious views on social (e.g. religious views on social issues)issues)

Lower taxes to increase global Lower taxes to increase global competitivenesscompetitiveness

There should be a strong militaryThere should be a strong military

The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum

Place the Following on the Place the Following on the Spectrum: Right, Left or Moderate?Spectrum: Right, Left or Moderate?

Political Spectrum to Political Political Spectrum to Political PartiesParties

Where you position Where you position yourself on the political yourself on the political spectrum has a direct spectrum has a direct impact on your choice of impact on your choice of political party.political party.

In Canada, “right wingers” In Canada, “right wingers” tend to vote for the tend to vote for the Conservative Party, “left Conservative Party, “left wingers” the NDP and wingers” the NDP and “moderates” the Liberal “moderates” the Liberal Party.Party.

Question: Would “liberals” Question: Would “liberals” vote for the Liberal Party?vote for the Liberal Party?

Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms Each political party has their Each political party has their

own set of policies on a own set of policies on a number of different issues:number of different issues:

Health CareHealth Care Taxes/Government Taxes/Government

SpendingSpending Social Welfare ProgramsSocial Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex

Marriage)Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Job Creation/ Trade

Initiatives (e.g. Initiatives (e.g. Globalization, NAFTA)Globalization, NAFTA)

The Military (e.g. the War The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan)in Afghanistan)

Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms When a political party When a political party

presents their ideas before the presents their ideas before the electorate on a series of electorate on a series of issues, they are said to be issues, they are said to be presenting their presenting their Political Political Platform.Platform.

How do you win an election? How do you win an election? By presenting a political By presenting a political

platform that represents the platform that represents the views of the majority of the views of the majority of the electorate (Canadians, electorate (Canadians, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, etc)etc)

Who would you vote for?

Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms

The Conservative Party’s Platform

When you write the Political PlatformYou want to make sure that the policiesEnclosed reflect the prevailing interestsOf the majority of Canadians.A strong platform can win an election!

What else do you need for electoral success?

How do Political Parties decide How do Political Parties decide which policies to adopt?which policies to adopt?

There are many different issues There are many different issues that Political Parties need to deal that Political Parties need to deal with:with:

Health CareHealth Care The EnvironmentThe Environment Taxes/Government SpendingTaxes/Government Spending Social Welfare ProgramsSocial Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex

Marriage)Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives

(e.g. Globalization)(e.g. Globalization) The Military (e.g. the War in The Military (e.g. the War in

Afghanistan).Afghanistan). What should they do?What should they do?

Trade issues are a hot topic!

Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issues in their Party Platformsmany issues in their Party Platforms

Health Care

The Environment

Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues

Funding for Education

Legal Issues

Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues

Social Welfare issues

Taxiation: Taxes are too high!!!

Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues

Military spending is Military spending is always an important always an important issue. For some, issue. For some, spending on spending on infrastructure and infrastructure and Healthcare is more Healthcare is more important than funding important than funding Canada’s military.Canada’s military.

For others, Canada’s For others, Canada’s lack of sufficient lack of sufficient military spending has military spending has been an international been an international embarrassment.embarrassment.

Canada has extended its missionIn Afghanistan until 2011.

Did Stephen Harper have a choiceWhen his party adopted this policy Option?

Canada’s Political PartiesCanada’s Political Parties Based on Based on

their Party their Party Platforms, Platforms, who would who would you vote you vote for?for?

Remember: They want your Vote!Remember: They want your Vote!

Although you need to be 18 Although you need to be 18 to vote in Canadian Federal to vote in Canadian Federal elections, the main political elections, the main political parties care about your parties care about your opinions.opinions.

Why is this so? Why are Why is this so? Why are the “young liberals” so the “young liberals” so important to the Liberal important to the Liberal Party of Canada?Party of Canada?

What role do you want to What role do you want to play in politics? Do you play in politics? Do you want to join a political want to join a political party? Explain your party? Explain your answer!answer!

The Liberal “Youth Wing”