Political Spectrum
Definitions
• political spectrum- the image
above, a line graph that shows how
liberal or conservative you are
• Liberal (3) - a person who wants
the political system to change, the
most extreme version of this is
called a radical (1).
• Conservative (7)- a person who does not
want the political system to change, the
most extreme version of a conservative
is called a reactionary (9). A reactionary
actually wants to change things back to
how they use to be in the ‘good old days.’
• Moderate (5)- a person who is not too
extreme about wanting change. Rather
they are in the middle on most issues.
Synonyms
• Left=liberal
• Right=conservative
• Center=moderate
Republicans
• The conservative party
of the two parties.
Some of their main
supporters are big
business, white males,
religious groups, and
rural voters that favor
smaller government,
less taxes, and a strong
military.
Democrats
• The liberal party of the
two parties. Some of
their main supporters
are working class
people, ethnic
minorities and urban
voters that favor
policies that support
the ‘common person.’
In general, they believe
in legislating the
economy, but not
personal values
Application: Please read the four statements about health care and
use these statements to answer the following questions.
Speaker A ______________________
I am opposed to any further changes in the medical care system. It is
okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need to expand coverage.
Speaker B ______________________
Free medical care should be provided to all US citizens regardless of
age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy country as the US that
medical care is often given to only those who can afford it.
Speaker C ______________________
Medical care for the old and poor in the US represents just another
step toward socialism. The individual soon will be destroyed by the
government creating a welfare state.
Speaker D ______________________
There is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all children
regardless of a parent’s income.
Answers
•1
–
–
–
–
B
D
A
C
2. Application: Please read the four statements about health care
and use these statements to answer the following questions.
Conservative
Speaker A
I am opposed to any further changes in the medical care system. It is
okay to care for the elderly, but there is no need to expand coverage.
Radical
Speaker B
Free medical care should be provided to all US citizens regardless of
age. It is unbelievable that in such a wealthy country as the US that
medical care is often given to only those who can afford it.
Reactionary
Speaker C
Medical care for the old and poor in the US represents just another
step toward socialism. The individual soon will be destroyed by the
government creating a welfare state.
Liberal
Speaker D
There is a need in the US to extend free medical care to all children
regardless of a parent’s income.
•3 C
•4 D
• 5 B/D
•6 C
•7 C
Where do these people ‘fit’ on
the political spectrum? Please
look at the spectrum at the start
of the paper and select a
number 1-9 for these people.
• ___ President Obama
___ President George W. Bush
___ Governor Rick Scott
___ Yourself
Issue
Abortion
Capital punishment
Gun control
Defense spending
Welfare
Legalization of
drugs
Women’s rights
Gay marriage
Sex education
Prayer in schools
Democrats
Republicans
Issue
Democrats
Republicans
Abortion
Pro-choice
Pro-Life
Capital
punishment
Gun control
Against
For
For
Against
Defense spending
Decrease
Increase
Welfare
Expand
Decrease
Legalization of
drugs
Women’s rights
More likely to consider
“War on Drugs”
Gay marriage
Modern gender roles
Traditional Roles more
promoted, men & women do promoted
the same things
For
Against
Sex education
Birth control
Prayer in schools
Limit religion’s role in society Expand religion’s role in
society
Abstinence
Vocabulary
Civil Liberties
• Concern basic rights and
freedoms that are
guaranteed -- either explicitly
identified in the Bill of Rights
and the Constitution, or
interpreted through the years
by courts and lawmakers.
– Freedom of speech
– The right to privacy
– The right to be free from
unreasonable searches of your
home
– The right to a fair court trial
Civil Rights
• The legal area that
revolves around the basic
right to be free from
unequal treatment based
on certain protected
characteristics in settings
such as employment and
housing.
–
–
–
–
race
Gender
religion
disability