The Political Spectrum - Methacton School District

The Political Spectrum Where do you fit in? What is the political spectrum? Lets start by looking at the horizontal (or more traditional) axis! Radical Moderate Liberal Reactionary

Conservative What determines where I am on the political spectrum? Typically, a persons political ideology is determined by how they feel about two different factors. Economic issues such as:

Taxes Healthcare Social Security Govt spending Rules on businesses Social issues such as: OR

Abortion Gun Control Gay Rights Immigration Gender / Racial Situations

What is a Liberal? Beliefs citizens individual freedoms and govt involvement in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Democrat and Green Parties What is a Conservative? Beliefs govt should be

involved in citizens individual freedoms and little govt involvement in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Republican and Tea Parties What is a moderate / centrist? Beliefs govt should be somewhat involved in citizens individual freedoms and should also

be somewhat involved in business and economics. Political Party Affiliation Independent Party What is the middle? People that are in the middle of the political spectrum tend to be more present thinkers. This means that they are satisfied with the way things are right now and that we currently

have the answers. People that are moderates will not resort to violence because they are satisfied with the way everything is. What are radicals and reactionaries? Beliefs these types of parties are extremists that are willing to become violent to reach their desired political, social,

and economic goals. Political Party Affiliation World Socialist Party of the USA / American Patriot Party What is an authoritarian? Beliefs this type of party believes in complete government control of every aspect of peoples lives and

complete control of the countries businesses and economics. Political Party Affiliation Revolutionary Communist Party USA What is a libertarian? Beliefs this type of party believe in little or no government control of peoples lives and allowing business and

economics work without govt interference. Political Party Affiliation Libertarian Party What about the vertical axis? Authoritarian Centrist Libertarian

What is the left? People that are on the left of the political spectrum tend to be more future or forward thinkers. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and that the answers can be found in new ideas. Liberals do this in a non-violent manner, while radicals will use violence if necessary to make their point.

What is the right? People that are on the right of the political spectrum tend to be more past thinkers. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and that the answers can be found in old ideas or the way things used to be. Conservatives do this in a nonviolent manner, while reactionaries will use violence if necessary to make their point.

What is above the line? People that are above the horizontal line of the political spectrum tend to want the govt to take more control in their lives. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and believe that the govt has the answers. Again, people on the edge believe in violence if necessary for their cause.

What is below the line? People that are below the horizontal line of the political spectrum tend to want to remove the govt from their daily lives. This means that they are not satisfied with the way things are right now and believes that individual man can make his own choices without govt interference. Again, people on the edge believe in violence if necessary for their cause.

What is the middle? People that are in the middle of the vertical axis line of the political spectrum are acceptable of some govt involvement, but not total involvement. This means that they are satisfied with the way things are right now. People that are centrist are not violent.