The Political Spectrum - Labels, Positions, and ISMs

all of the relevant labels, positions, and ISMs, what they mean, and where they lie on the political spectrum. made for a us history course, but can be used for any relavent purpose

Democratic

Label for the left side of the political spectrum, which represents the Democratic Political Party

Republican

Label for the right side of the political spectrum, which represents Republican Political Party

Ratical

Label given to one who is extreme on either end of the political spectrum

Center

Label given to one who lies in the middle of the spectrum, and is not a Democrat or Republican

Independant

Label given to those who are not part of the Democratic or Republican parties. They typically lie in the middle of the political spectrum

Liberal

One who is open to a change in societal structure and government. Tend to lie on the left side of the political spectrum

Conservative

One who does not typically approve of societal changes and prefers traditional forms of government. Tend to lie on the right side of the political spectrum

Moderate

Label given to one who is leaning closer towards one end of the political spectrum, but is not fully devoted to a certain party.

GOP

An acronym meaning “Grand Old Party,” a nickname for the Republican political party.

Progressive

Label given to one who believes in a need for economic and social change, especially promoting equality for all people

Traditional

Label given to one who believes that traditional economic and societal structures are optimal systems of operations, and does not agree with changes made to them

Blue

The color representing the Democratic political party

Red

The color representing the Republican political party

Donkey

The animal symbolizing the Democratic political party

Elephant

The animal symbolizing the Republican political party

Gun Control

The view that there should be limitations on bearing arms to reduce gun violence. This is a typically a left-leaning position

2nd Amendment Rights

The view that the rights described in the 2nd Amendment should still be held, despite the increase of gun violence. This is a typically a right-leaning position

Spending on Domestic Issues

The view that government funds should primarily go toward issues within the country. This is a typically a left-leaning position

Spending on Defense-Security Issues

The view that government funds should primarily go toward reinforcing our military and defensive tactics. This is a typically a right-leaning position

Social Programs

Programs funded by the government to assist the people. Those on the left side of the spectrum typically promote this

Privatization

Programs funded by privately-owned companies and associations to assist the people. Those on the right side of the spectrum typically promote this

Big Government

The want from those on the left side of the political spectrum to increase demand on the government for assistance

Small Government

The want from those on the right side of the political spectrum to increase demand on private organizations for assistance

Nationalized Healthcare

Promotion for healthcare funded by the government. Those on the left end of the political spectrum typically promote this

Privatization Healthcare

Promotion for healthcare funded by private organizations. Those on the right end of the political spectrum typically promote this

Pro-Choice

The belief that women should have the option to abort a baby, and to open options to those on death row and physician-assisted suicide. Those on the left end of the political spectrum typically hold this belief

Pro-Life

The belief that women should not have the option to abort a baby, and to limit options to those on death row and to end physician-assisted suicide. Those on the right end of the political spectrum typically hold this belief

Immigration Reforms

Solutions to decrease the population of illegal immigrants entering America. Both ends of the spectrum have seperate solutions

Communism

Structure of government where all people have equal resources, but the government controls everything. Some people on the left side of the political spectrum promote this

Capitalism

Structure of government where people can buy their own property and make money through their own businesses. Some people on the right side of the political spectrum promote this

Socialism

Structure of government where the government splits benefits and profits among the people. Some people on the left side of the political spectrum promote this

Marxism

Structure of government where the working class rises and claims the profits of the upper class. Some people on the left side of the political spectrum promote this

Nazism

Structure of government where people promote nationalism and dictatorship. Some people on the right side of the political spectrum promote this

Fascism

Structure of government where an authoritarian social organization is in place. Some people on the right side of the political spectrum promote this

Anarchism

Structure of government where no rules are applied, anyone can do whatever they want. This structure does not lie anywhere on the political spectrum, it exists outside of it.