Political Ideologies Explained

Political Spectrum

Left Vs Right

• Left: Government should be used to create economist, political, and social equality

  • Higher government control

  • Unfair conditions exist because of the unequal distribution of wealth and power

  • Government should look after the powerless and disadvantaged

  • Government should own key industries and resources to have wealth for distribution

• Right: Creation of individual wealth, private property, and individual rights are in the best interests of society

  • Little government control; the government should not interfere too much in the lives of individuals

  • Individuals play a larger role in decision making

  • Business should be kept in private hands

  • Law and order should protect private property and ensure the peoples safety

Ideologies

RADICAL - extreme left

• Government Views:

  • They want major and immediate change and may support violence if necessary to move towards a new future

• Economy Views:

  • Often want equality

  • Pushing for wealth distribution, government ownership of key industries, etc

    against capitalism

LIBERAL - left

• Government Views:

  • They want some changes; interested in the progress

  • Support democracy

  • Protect individual rights and freedoms

• Economy Views:

  • Center-left; support a mixed economy

  • Free market and private property exist, but government regulation is needed to protect workers, consumers, and the environment

MODERATE - middle

• Government Views:

  • In the middle, recognition of compromise and balance, not focusing too much on the extremes

  • Support democracy and rule of law, but not as strongly focused like radicals and conservatives

  • Believes in working within the system to improve it rather than overthrowing or preserving it

• Economy Views:

  • Support free markets, but with some regulations

  • Open-minded

CONSERVATIVE - right

• Government Views:

  • Wants to keep the status quo; keep things the way they are or revert back to old ways

  • Emphasizes tradition and moral responsibility

  • Support limited government intervention, believing it should only protect law, order, and national interest

  • Prefer gradual change than sudden reforms or revolutions

• Economy views:

  • Support free markets and private property

  • Less government regulations in businesses

  • Believe individuals and private enterprise are better at creating wealth than the stare

REACTIONARY - extreme right

• Government Views:

  • Would like to change back to the way things used to be and may support violence if necessary

  • Oppose modern reforms or progressive ideas

• Economy Views:

  • Prefer traditional hierarchies and private property