political/economic systems

political spectrum and the order

system to characterize and classify political positions in relation to each other

radical, liberal, moderate, conservative, reactionary

radical

favor rapid change, new political and economic systems for a better future, willing to be violent

example: communists

liberal

still favor change, reform to improve individual lives, wants to work peacefully with existing government for change

example: democratic party

moderate

holds some liberal beliefs and some communist beliefs

example: independent party

conservative

works peacefully, value change and favor reverting to the past, hesitant to change, favor less government involvement and wants government to stay out of individual lives

reactionary

willing to take violent measures, favor going back to the past, value tradition

example: dictatorships

communism/marxism

radical Karl Marx derived idea; thought that capitalism was unfair to the workers

capitalism

system where a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit

laissez-faire

capitalism; “hand’s off”, the government could not control the invisible hand of the public

socialism

still power to the people; public ownership over private ownership

fascism

far right idea; strong militarism, nationalism, and suppression of opposition

pure market/free market

consumers influence products through supply and demand; change to make more money, cause completion, creativity, incentive to work hard; large wealth gap, no government regulation, favors the rich

capitalism

planned market/command economy

government owns manufacturing, business, and property; equal wealth, low unemployment, safe and organized; lack of competition, low quality products, lack of creativity

communism