The Political Spectrum Your views on economic, social, and religious issues has a direct impact upon...
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Transcript of The Political Spectrum Your views on economic, social, and religious issues has a direct impact upon...
The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum Your views on economic, social, and Your views on economic, social, and
religious issues has a direct impact religious issues has a direct impact upon the Political Party that you wish upon the Political Party that you wish to support. For instance,to support. For instance,
Should the government censor the arts?Should the government censor the arts? Should Marijuana be de-criminalized?Should Marijuana be de-criminalized? Should all Canadians receive equal Should all Canadians receive equal
access to health care?access to health care? Should taxes be raised to pay for much Should taxes be raised to pay for much
needed social programs?needed social programs? Should money be redistributed from the Should money be redistributed from the
richer provinces to the poorer ones?richer provinces to the poorer ones? Should same sex marriages be Should same sex marriages be
recognized?recognized?
The Political Spectrum: Right Wing, The Political Spectrum: Right Wing, Left Wing and ModeratesLeft Wing and Moderates
When people describe their When people describe their political views, they often political views, they often refer to themselves as “Right refer to themselves as “Right wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Liberal), or wing” (Liberal), or “moderate” (in the middle).“moderate” (in the middle).
How you place yourself on How you place yourself on the Political Spectrum is the Political Spectrum is based on your responses to based on your responses to Political issues.Political issues.
How do you know what you How do you know what you are?are?
LiberalsLiberals Liberals tend to hold the Liberals tend to hold the
following Political Views:following Political Views: Government should be Government should be
heavily involved in the lives heavily involved in the lives of citizens.of citizens.
Citizens should have equal Citizens should have equal opportunities through law opportunities through law (e.g. affirmative action (e.g. affirmative action programs)programs)
Strong support of social Strong support of social programs such as welfare, programs such as welfare, medicare and pensionsmedicare and pensions
Higher taxes to pay for social Higher taxes to pay for social programsprograms
A small military A small military
ConservativesConservatives Conservatives tend to hold the Conservatives tend to hold the
following views:following views: There should be minimal There should be minimal
government intervention in the government intervention in the economyeconomy
Citizens should take greater Citizens should take greater responsibility for themselvesresponsibility for themselves
They believe in traditional values They believe in traditional values (e.g. religious views on social (e.g. religious views on social issues)issues)
Lower taxes to increase global Lower taxes to increase global competitivenesscompetitiveness
There should be a strong militaryThere should be a strong military
Place the Following on the Place the Following on the Spectrum: Right, Left or Moderate?Spectrum: Right, Left or Moderate?
Political Spectrum to Political Political Spectrum to Political PartiesParties
Where you position Where you position yourself on the political yourself on the political spectrum has a direct spectrum has a direct impact on your choice of impact on your choice of political party.political party.
In Canada, “right wingers” In Canada, “right wingers” tend to vote for the tend to vote for the Conservative Party, “left Conservative Party, “left wingers” the NDP and wingers” the NDP and “moderates” the Liberal “moderates” the Liberal Party.Party.
Question: Would “liberals” Question: Would “liberals” vote for the Liberal Party?vote for the Liberal Party?
Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms Each political party has their Each political party has their
own set of policies on a own set of policies on a number of different issues:number of different issues:
Health CareHealth Care Taxes/Government Taxes/Government
SpendingSpending Social Welfare ProgramsSocial Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex
Marriage)Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Job Creation/ Trade
Initiatives (e.g. Initiatives (e.g. Globalization, NAFTA)Globalization, NAFTA)
The Military (e.g. the War The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan)in Afghanistan)
Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms When a political party When a political party
presents their ideas before the presents their ideas before the electorate on a series of electorate on a series of issues, they are said to be issues, they are said to be presenting their presenting their Political Political Platform.Platform.
How do you win an election? How do you win an election? By presenting a political By presenting a political
platform that represents the platform that represents the views of the majority of the views of the majority of the electorate (Canadians, electorate (Canadians, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, etc)etc)
Who would you vote for?
Political Party PlatformsPolitical Party Platforms
The Conservative Party’s Platform
When you write the Political PlatformYou want to make sure that the policiesEnclosed reflect the prevailing interestsOf the majority of Canadians.A strong platform can win an election!
What else do you need for electoral success?
How do Political Parties decide How do Political Parties decide which policies to adopt?which policies to adopt?
There are many different issues There are many different issues that Political Parties need to deal that Political Parties need to deal with:with:
Health CareHealth Care The EnvironmentThe Environment Taxes/Government SpendingTaxes/Government Spending Social Welfare ProgramsSocial Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex
Marriage)Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives
(e.g. Globalization)(e.g. Globalization) The Military (e.g. the War in The Military (e.g. the War in
Afghanistan).Afghanistan). What should they do?What should they do?
Trade issues are a hot topic!
Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issues in their Party Platformsmany issues in their Party Platforms
Health Care
The Environment
Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues
Funding for Education
Legal Issues
Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues
Social Welfare issues
Taxiation: Taxes are too high!!!
Political Parties have to Address Political Parties have to Address many issuesmany issues
Military spending is Military spending is always an important always an important issue. For some, issue. For some, spending on spending on infrastructure and infrastructure and Healthcare is more Healthcare is more important than funding important than funding Canada’s military.Canada’s military.
For others, Canada’s For others, Canada’s lack of sufficient lack of sufficient military spending has military spending has been an international been an international embarrassment.embarrassment.
Canada has extended its missionIn Afghanistan until 2011.
Did Stephen Harper have a choiceWhen his party adopted this policy Option?
Canada’s Political PartiesCanada’s Political Parties Based on Based on
their Party their Party Platforms, Platforms, who would who would you vote you vote for?for?
Remember: They want your Vote!Remember: They want your Vote!
Although you need to be 18 Although you need to be 18 to vote in Canadian Federal to vote in Canadian Federal elections, the main political elections, the main political parties care about your parties care about your opinions.opinions.
Why is this so? Why are Why is this so? Why are the “young liberals” so the “young liberals” so important to the Liberal important to the Liberal Party of Canada?Party of Canada?
What role do you want to What role do you want to play in politics? Do you play in politics? Do you want to join a political want to join a political party? Explain your party? Explain your answer!answer!
The Liberal “Youth Wing”