Mod2 Page: The Political Spectrum

 The Political Spectrum:  Right, Left, and the Middle

Before you take a typology quiz, let's get a basic understanding of what we mean by the political spectrum. 

A spectrum, as you know, is a line of degrees, ranging from far left to far right. 

It is a simple way to look at the differences in political thinking.

 

 

 

On the Far Left:  Radicals

Radicals demand immediate change, removal of old order and power.  Radicals would push for more forceful, massive, and quick reforms.   Reforms and changes would push society and government to an entirely new way of life.

Examples in history:  communist revolutionaries

Left of Center:  Liberals

Liberals push for change, but that change and reform will use the current system.  Liberals would push for a more progressive society, might be willing to compromise, and would use the system at hand to make changes.   Liberals are likely to support collective good (good of everyone) over individual good, and are willing to use the government to help make changes.  

Examples in history: civil rights movement

 

Center: 

This is where most people fall.  Some beliefs are liberal, some are conservative, no change is worth overthrowing the entire system.   Centrists may be socially liberal but financially conservative, or vice versa.

Examples in history:  Presidency of Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush

 

Right of Center: Conservatives

Conservative ideology is more accepting of tradition.  Conservatives tend to believe that the system is working, and that the use of government to address problems in society or the economy is not necessarily the answer.   Conservatives view the world through a more individualistic mindset and often value individual pursuits over the pursuit of the common good. 

Examples in history:  Current Republican Party, Ronald Reagan

 

Reactionary

Extreme far right thinking is oppositional to current changes and trends.  Reactionary thinking embraces authority, tradition, and often looks to the past, even in an unrealistic way, and attempts to get government and society back to "the way things were."   Reactionary thinkers believe that inequality is a natural outcome of society and that people should accept unequal roles in society and government as a natural consequence and use their own individual efforts to change personal status.  Reactionary thinkers believe that the state, authority, tradition, is above the interest of the individual.

 

Examples in history:  Hitler's Germany, fascist governments, ISIS

Please take a few minutes to watch the video below.   The content from this page, the video, and your chapter reading will be on your test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlQ5fGECmsA Links to an external site.

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The website listed below is a challenge level for motivated students.   You will not be expected to break the political spectrum down into this level of detail.

To understand more fully, explore this website which explains left v. right.  http://factmyth.com/the-left-right-political-spectrum-explained/ Links to an external site.