Download Political Ideologies

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
An Introduction to Government
THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM
A visual used to illustrate how various political
ideologies relate to each other
 Ideology: “political and social principles or beliefs”
 The ends of the line represent extreme political beliefs
whereas the center is associated with more moderate
beliefs

Left
Center
Right
STARTING FROM THE LEFT
Supports economic equality and change or
progress in society
COMMUNISM
The government controls the economy and owns all
industries and properties
 Assets and property are shared by the people equally
 No social classes
 Usually an authoritarian government (absolute ruler;
total obedience; little/no democracy

Positives
+ Focus on economic equality
Negatives
- Often involves violent revolution
- Practice differs from the ideas
- Severe censorship
SOCIALISM
The government or community, controls business,
assets and land
 Based on cooperation, rather than competition
 Believes in more money for social services
 Supports unions and working people

Positives
+ Focus on economic equality
+ Freedom is important
Negatives
- Government intervention in
economics
MOVING RIGHT
Supports tradition and opposes change in society
LIBERALISM
Democratic government
 People have freedom and rights
 People can influence change in politics, society and
economy
 Doesn’t push for “big” changes

Positives
+ All citizens have access to basic
necessities of life
Negatives
- Can lead to debt
CONSERVATISM
Inclination to maintain existing or traditional beliefs,
ways or institutions
 Opposition to sudden changes in how things are done
 Belief that successful people should rule

Positives
Negatives
+ Economic freedom
- Imposed morality
+ Intellectual equality
- Censorship
FASCISM
No democracy
 Strong, central government led by a dictator (absolute
leader; unrestricted by law)
 Government controls society and industry
 Government uses terror and censorship to suppress
opposition

Positives
+ If you are the dictator!
Negatives
- Tight control
- Severe censorship
- No intellectual freedom
- Little economic freedom
THE BIG PICTURE
SOME PROVINCIAL EXAM EXAMPLES:
 Moral standards should override individual rights
 Traditional values should be preserved
 Large corporations should be given tax breaks
Which political ideology is associated with this list?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Socialism
Liberalism
Communism
Conservatism
ONE MORE…
 Capitalist economy
 Rule by dictatorship
 Extreme nationalism
Which political ideology is associated with this list?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Fascism
Liberalism
Communism
Conservatism