left-right continuum

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

The Political Spectrum

Note on this one Hitler is misplaced…

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

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.

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

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.

Political Attitude Origins

• Family and Upbringing• Amount of and Type of

Schooling • Mass Media• A Person’s Employment• Demographics• The Economy

Demographics: ApplicationEx. 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

Peter is likely to be Liberal

L C0

Going beyond the Left-Right Continuum

Equality

Freedom Security

Social Control

Economic Control

Liberal (Democrat)

Libertarian

Communitarian

Conservative (Republican)

vs.

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. )

Limits of 2-party system

Party Change

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?

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)

Party Change: Application• Electoral Maps

– Realignment 1860– Realignment 1932– 2008 Map

• Tea Party role in Party Change– Tea Party Articles – Questions