Left-Right Continuum

1. Left-Right Continuum • Vague spectrum that generalizes political views • Left: usually associated with the Liberal ideology • Right: usually associated with the Conservative Ideology Liberal Conservative

2. The Political Spectrum

6. Note on this one Hitler is misplaced…

7. When I say liberal who and what issues do we think of?

10. Liberalism • Favors proposals for reform, open to new ideas. • Government should bring about justice and equality of opportunity. • Supply health care, education, and housing. • Support: Unions, Affirmative Action, Tax rates that rise with income level (progressive tax), Worker’s rights. • The government should not legislate morals and family values. • Often associated with the Democratic and Green parties.

11. When I say conservative who and what issues do we think of?

14. Conservatism • Generally favors traditional views and opposes change • Government should not intervene with the economy. • Opposes higher taxes • Military protects America from its enemies. • The government should encourage morals and family values. • There should be a reduction of government programs and an increase in privatization. • Often associated with the Republican and Libertarian parties.

15. Political Attitude Origins • Family and Upbringing • Amount of and Type of Schooling • Mass Media • A Person’s Employment • Demographics • The Economy

16. Demographics: Application Ex. Peter Griffin • Family +0 • Age +2 • Race +2 • Gender +2 • Education +5 • Income -2 • Religion -3 • Religiosity -2 • Region -5 • Community +2 • Job -5 Peter’s Total is -4 L C 0 Peter is likely to be Liberal

17. Going beyond the Left-Right Continuum Equality Economic Control Liberal (Democrat) Communitarian Social Control Conservative (Republican) Libertarian Freedom Security

18. vs.

19. Ideology vs. Party • Political Ideology: refers to one’s beliefs about political values and the role of government. • Political Party: An organized group of people with common values and goals, who try to get their candidates elected to office. (One is how you feel about issues and the other is the political organization you are registered with, which raises money, establishes primaries, and helps candidates run for office. )

20. Limits of 2-party system

21. Party Change

22. History of the Two-Party System in the United States • What patterns do you see in third party goals or issues • Why would anybody develop a third party? • Why would anybody vote for a third party? • Why are third parties generally unsuccessful?

23. Party Change • Party Change is often a reaction to national events • War • Economic Crisis • Wave of immigration • Party Realignment • When groups of voters leave one party for the other party (ex. African-Americans generally moving to Democratic party since Great Depression) • Party Dealignment • Occurs when people leave political parties and identify as independents (ex. Reaction to partisan politics in late 20th century)

24. Party Change: Application • Electoral Maps • Realignment 1860 • Realignment 1932 • 2008 Map • Tea Party role in Party Change • Tea Party Articles • Questions