Political Spectrum

A sarcastic illustration of the Spectrum

 Political Spectrum
The political Spectrum identifies the major opinions of each of the political
parties. On each of the ends of the spectrum is the radical opinion, where the
middle is more moderate, or in the middle. Below is a very basic political
spectrum.
 www.isidewith.com/
Unfortunately, America’s political spectrum is divided between 2 powerful
political parties; the Democratic and Republican parties. You may already
think you are sided with one party or candidate, but this survey will align your
opinions on major topics, according to how important each topic is to you.

Finish this survey and complete the Political Views assignment. We will cover
each of the two major sides after.

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZAYMWSBXCg
BBC- your side?
Democrats and Republicans= Neighbors
 Majors Issues
There are several major issues that fall into the columns of International,
domestic, economic and social issues. We will use these major issues to compare
and contrast the different political opinions and groups.

International Domestic Economic Issues    Social Issues   

Issues    Issues    
Foreign Policy Gun Control Budget & Economy Education
Government
Homeland Security Crime Health Care
Reform  
War & Peace Drugs Tax Reform Abortion
Free Trade Civil Rights Social Security Families&Children
Immigration  Jobs Welfare & Poverty Corporations
Technology & Infras
Energy & Oil Environment Principles & Values
tructure
 Leftist beliefs
Leftist groups tend to support social issues and social equality. They are
concerned about issues of inequality and disadvantage. Leftists tend to support
a broad range of socialist policies.

Strong government intervention in the economy and

Economics unions. Often considered socialist: share the wealth
Civil rights and equality are a major domestic issue for
Domestic Policy the left
Concerned with protecting the earth and preventing
Environment further global warming
Leftists tend to believe in a woman’s right to choose in
Pro-Choice reproductive issues
Usually atheist and anti-religion. Do not support
Religion causes based on religious beliefs.
 Liberal
Liberal groups tend to support government actions meant to support social and
political change. They reject relying on traditional solutions.

The government should regulate the economy to

Economics protect the public from greedy businesses
Civil rights and equality are paramount for the best
Domestic Policy social systems
Must find renewable sources of energy, especially
Environment since oil is running out and hurts the world
Women have the right to decide what happens to her
Pro-Choice body and the government should provide funding
Usually pushes for strict gun laws to limit the 2nd
Gun rights Amendment
 Democratic
Democrats tend to be immediately to the left of the
middle on the political spectrum. They are one of the
strongest 2 political parties in the US.

Mixed economy supporting safety nets for the poor

Economics and disadvantaged including minimum wage
Civil Rights and issues are important, but universal
Domestic Policy health care is vital for American Social success
Protect the world using political and economic
Environment sanctions. A carbon tax and expand renewable energy
Birth Control should be available to all women, but
Pro-Choice abortion should be ‘safe, legal and rare’- avoid
abortion with education
Promotes gun control measure laws in urban party
Gun rights groups, but rural groups are divided
 Moderate Independents
Moderate groups don’t advocate extreme left or right wing politics. They tend
to have an opinion on all the issues but are more willing to compromise more
than other left or right groups are. This is the FASTEST growing group.

Economics
Differ based on the
Domestic Policy individual. The Moderates
represent between 35-40%
Environment
on average in each political
Pro-Choice survey poll. Compromise is
ideal for most moderates.
Gun rights
 Rightist Beliefs
Rightist groups oppose socialism and are often called conservatives. The right
believes that social stratification and social inequality are natural in society.

Prefer Laissez-Faire economics that prevent

Economics government intervention or safety nets
Want to prevent excessive immigration and promote
Domestic Policy nationalism
Believe furthering the economy and maintaining
Environment growth is the most important
“family values” tend to be a buzz word for the right to
Pro-Choice describe support for “traditional” families and values
Want an officially recognized religion and government
Religion that follows Christian ideals
 Republican (GOP-Grand Old Party)
The Republican party is one of two major political parties in the
US. The Republican party tends to dominate politics across the
nation and especially in the northern and rural areas.

Free markets and individual effort promote economic

Economics prosperity. Free trade agreements are favored
Republicans tend to be against illegal immigration and
Domestic Policy want to prevent pathways to citizenship. In recent years,
many republicans have eased up to gain more votes
Originally republicans supported conservation, but now
Environment the party labels conservation as a hindrance to economic
growth
Pro-Life and disagree with abortion by choice. Only rare
Pro-Life instances of incest and risk to the mother are acceptable
Generally republicans support gun ownership rights and
Gun rights oppose restrictive gun rights
 Conservative
Conservatives oppose change and advocate a pragmatic approach to political
issues and agendas. Practical rationality is favored over ideological philosophy.

Want to reduce the federal budget by limiting social

Economics welfare programs
Foreign policy should be enforced through a strong
Foreign Policy military and nationalism
Resist efforts to place the environment over the economy
Environment
Restricting abortion and pushing pro-life is mandatory
Pro-Life based on traditional values and Christianity
The 2nd amendment is the definitive answer for the gun
Gun rights rights issue, and maintains the freedom to own guns is
paramount.
 Tea Party
The Tea Party was a relatively short lived but powerful political group for the
2012 election. The tea Party is extremely Conservative and takes its name
from the Boston Tea Party which wanted to reduce government intervention.
Major concerns of the party include:
-reducing national debt
-lower taxes
-want to maintain foreign relations with military strength
-opposes Obama Care
-anti-union, pro- business
 Political Cartoons
Political cartoons are an easy way to examine current day issues and the ideology
of different political groups. However, some political cartoons can be difficult to
determine the meaning of. Your task is to identify several different political
cartoons that demonstrate the political ideology of the republican, democratic,
green, tea party, and independent parties.

If you want more information on the varying sides and opinions, please review the
following website for a basic understanding and differential between Left and right
sides:

https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/