The Political Spectrum

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The Political Spectrum
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And now for your enjoyment.
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Funnies of the day
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Another one
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And yet, another
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And because you love survey so much. another
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Radicals

• Man are by nature, good and cooperative.
• Focused on the idea of the perfect society.
• Government can become corrupt and should never
  infringe on the rights of individuals
• Concerned with equality
• Willing to resort to violence or breaking the law
  to achieve goals

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LiberalsPart of our system

• Capitalism is best but needs some reforms
• Human rights over property right
• Government should help those who cannot
• Reform should take moderate means
• Need a large federal government
• Belief in Free speech
• All rights for all people should be protected
• Need government regulations
• Left Wing

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ModeratesMade up of both Republicans and
Democrats

• More concerned about compromise
• Tend to agree with issues of both liberals and
  Conservatives
• Tend to find Political candidates from this area
• Can be criticized for not doing enough at times

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ConservativePart of our system

• Society represents accumulated wisdom and
  presents a proven formula
• Status Quo
• Legitimate authority is needed
• Oppose strong central government
• Favors state rights
• Good of majority over the minority
• Favors cutting government programs
• Should protect economic interests
• Right Wing

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ReactionaryFascism

• The ideas of the past are the correct ones which
  we should restore today.
• Communism is a direct threat to our society
• Willing to use any means necessary to achieve
  goals violence or breaking laws

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Other Terms

• Socialist man is a cooperative being who is
  willing to work with others in a communal effort.
  The purpose of society is not to make a profit
  rather it is to eliminate poverty.
• Pragmatist When a problem is present, it is to
  be solved. What ever solution works best for the
  particular problem should be used.

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There is NO party here.

• The One-Party system
• Exists in most dictatorships.
• The government is simply an instrument of the
  party
• Truly a no party system.
• Ex. China

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Its my party (or lack thereof),

• And Ill cry if I want to.

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So many parties, so little time.

• Multi-Party System
• Many parties based on religion, economic class,
  sectional attachment, or political ideology.
• Unstable Coalitions must be formed.
• ex. Germany (MOST European democracies)

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Why is my date book so empty?

• The two-party system.
• Two dominant political parties control most
  elections. Minor parties, if they exist get
  little or no portion of the electorate.

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The Two-Party System

• What does it look like for us?

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• What do Parties Do?
• NominateRecruit, choose, and present candidates
  for public office.
• Inform and Activate SupportersCampaign, define
  issues, and criticize other candidates.
• Act as a Bonding AgentGuarantee that their
  candidate is worthy of the office.

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Issues

• Republican
• Free (private) Enterprise
• Prove to us that Government can do it better

• Democrat
• Government
• Prove that private industry can do it better

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Philosophy

• Democrats
• Liberal
• Promote policies that represent new approaches.

• Republicans
• Conservative
• Cautious about change.

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Support

• Republicans
• Well-off
• Dont fix what isnt broken.

• Democrats
• The Worker
• Change can only make things better. No success
  in the status-quo.

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How do you think this may be different than
2004? What about this election in 2008?
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2004
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The Reality is not so black and white or red and
blue!
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Reasons for Party Decline

• Independents
• Mistrust of Government
• Open Primaries
• Technology
• End of Patronage
• All of the above leads to
• Electoral Independence!!

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What is a Political Platform?

• States the main ideas of the party
• Explains why it was started, stance on main
  issues and current agenda

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Party Platform Differences

• The Political Parties are NOT the same. They are
  supported by different types of people who feel
  differently on issues. Bills in Congress reflect
  party-line voting at least 90 of the time! If
  there wasnt a dimes worth of difference
  between the parties, this would not be the case.

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Minor Parties in the United States
Ideological Parties Example Libertarian
Party-rights of the individual
Single-issue Parties Example Free Soil
Party-eliminate slavery
Splinter Party Example Bull Moose Progressive
Party-against patronage system
Economic Protest Parties Example The Greenback
Party-against govt regulation of
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Party Types

• Factional (splinter) Parties
• Bull Moose, Reform
• Ideological Parties
• Libertarian, Communist
• Single-Issue
• Free Soil, Prohibition
• Toga Parties
• Power Parties
• Democrats, Republicans

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Minor Parties in the United States
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Why are Minor Parties important?

• Minor parties play several important roles
• Spoiler Role
• Critic
• Innovator

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The Three Components of the Party
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More on the Future

• For candidates
• Structural changes have increased conflict and
  disorganization within parties
• Changes in the technology of campaigning,
  especially the use of television and the
  Internet, have made candidates more independent
  of the party organization
• The growth of single-issue organizations provides
  candidates with another source of financial
  support