Political Spectrum

Liberal

• Left of “Moderate”

• Believe that govt should take action to bring social reform

• Support idea of change but work peacefully by using existing political system

• Ex. Democratic Party, Green Party

Conservative

• Right of “Moderate”

• Govt should stay out of lives of citizens and businesses except on moral issues (abortion, etc)

• Support status quo (keeping things the way they are)

• Hesitant to make major changes, work peacefully using existing political system

• Ex. Republicans, Reform Party

Moderate

• Middle of Spectrum

• People’s who opinions are between liberals and conservatives

• Tolerant of many viewpoints, do not generally hold extreme viewpoints

Radical

• Far Left of Spectrum

• Favor rapid and fundamental change in the existing social, economic and/or political systems

• Will use extreme measures (including violence) to achieve goals

• Ex. Communists, French revolutionaries

Reactionary

• Far Right of Spectrum

• Group members want a return to a previous social, political or economic that existed earlier in history

• Will use extreme measure to achieve goals, including violence

• Ex. dictatorships, monarchies, oligarchies

Nationalism - Positive results

• People in nation overcome differences for common good

• Overthrew colonial rule

• Formed democratic govts across the world

• Competition spurred advancements

Nationalism - Negative results

• Forced assimilation of minorities into majority culture

• Ethnic cleansing (ex. Bosnia and Herzegovina 1990s)

• Extreme nationalism (Nazism)

• Competition between nations leads to warfare