Political Spectrum
LEFT
Anarchist
Radical
CENTER
Liberal
Moderate
RIGHT
Conservative
Reactionary
Anarchist
Visualizing the
Political Spectrum
Each Point on the Spectrum
Represents....
An aspect of a culture's worldview
A philosophical tradition
Certain psychological attitudes
A partisan tradition and set of positions on
current politcal issues.
THE LEFT
“All the world over, I will back the masses against the classes”
- William E. Gladstone
ANAR C HIS M !
A philosophy of socialism demanding the end of
government, capitalism and religion.
Revolution through “Direct Action” Terrorism & Assassination
“Smash the State” - extreme violence
Mikhail Bakunin
No planning of future society or
economy
Against all forms of authority and
private property
Sometimes fought Communists over
who was more radical
Assassinated many world leaders in the
19th & early 20th century
Modern Anarchists
RADICALS
“One man with a gun can control 100
without one. ” - Vladimir Lenin
Revolutionary - conspiracy
Imaginary Future
Extreme Equality - socialism
Violent but methodical & rational
Anti-capitalist, illiberal, intolerant
Act on behalf of workers, poor &
marginalized social groups
Marxist or other socialist ideas
LIBERALISM
“Liberalism is trust of the people
tempered by prudence.”
-Gladstone
Trust in the ability of government to
reform society
Promote economic and social Equality
Ensure “Fairness” through regulation, social welfare
programs, progressive taxation, affirmative action
Group or collective perspective
Sees History as a march toward progress
Strong government regulation of the economy
“Big Government”
Favor diplomacy over military force, unions over
business, environmental concerns over private property
rights, Gun control over gun ownership. For Abortion
Rights but against the Death Penalty
MODERATES
“ The vital center” - Arthur Schlesinger,Jr.
“Moderation in all things” -Aristotle
Patriotic, Practical and Patient – not ideological or partisan
Value civility, compromise and flexibility
Focus on problem-solving & not abstract ideas or visions
Consider both sides – values “common-sense”
Easiest group to persuade – but dislikes conflict
Controls neither political party but is the “Swing vote” to win
elections
The Right
CONSERVATIVISM
“Society is a partnership not only between those who are
living, but between those who are living, those who are dead,
and those who are to be born." -Edmund Burke
Seeks to preserve the best aspects of society and is
skeptical of change, human nature and the government
More divided than are liberals – paleoconservatives,
religious conservatives, neoconservatives, libertarians....
Value Liberty, Order,Tradition
Human nature is unchanging. People with power are not to
be trusted. Money is not to be wasted. Government should
be small and limited. Strongly Anti-Communist
Conservatives favor low taxes, a strong national defense,
tough laws against crime, free market capitalism, traditional
family values, are against abortion but favor the death
penalty & the Right to Bear Arms
REACTIONARIES
“The truth is that men are tired of liberty” -Benito Mussolini
Demand a return to mythic, past, “golden age”
Value extreme Nationalism, Militarism,
Religious Fundamentalism, Authority, Male
Superiority
Believe in Inequality & superiority of their
group – Xenophobia, Racism, Elitism
Extreme Violence - “Might makes Right! ”
In Revolt against Modernity
Irrational appeal to emotion, mythical visions,
vengeance, ethnocentrism, tribal, racial or
religious identity
Against democracy, liberalism, capitalism,
socialism, individualism, minorities, free
speech, women's rights and most cultural
changes