Political Spectrum

Political Spectrum • Continuum • Measures social or economic issues • In the USA, these positions vary by state

Range of Political Ideas • Far Left---Left—Middle—Right—Far Right • Extreme Liberal-----------------Extreme Conservative • Political Attitudes Change over Time • Mid 1960s, majority of population leaned left • Civil Rights • Women’s Rights • 1980s, majority shifted to right • Anti-ERA movement • Moral majority

Variations in Political Ideas • By time • By Region • Massachusetts and Minnesota • Liberal • Indiana and Texas • Conservative • By Ethnicity and Religion • Jewish Liberal • Asians Conservative

Social Liberals • Lean to the left • Shape their own lifestyles, Free to Decide on Moral Questions • Favor expanding opportunities for women • Pro-Choice • Propose rights for gay men and lesbians

Social Conservatives • On the right (side of the continuum) • Respect the traditional family • Marriage forever • Children • Men at work, women at home • Criticize too much individualism • Favor Pro-Life • Look to the past, tradition, for answers

Existing Political System • Both Liberal and Conservatives want changes to occur within the current system • Radicals, those “off the spectrum,” want change of the system, itself • Extremely liberal or extremely conservative

Statistical Breakdown • Extreme Liberal • Liberal • Slightly Liberal • Middle • Slightly Conservative • Conservative • Extreme Conservative

Decision-Making • Social • Economic

Social • Political debates about moral judgments about how people should live • Feminism • Abortion • Homosexual Marriages • Death Penalty • Liberals • Favor expanding opportunities for women • Pro-choice • Greater rights for homosexuals • Conservatives • Want women to stick to , embrace, and enjoy traditional roles • Pro-Life • Homosexuals should choose traditional roles • Endorse Death Penalty

Economic • Decisions about how a society should distribute its material resources • How much control government should have • How much social inequality there should be • Liberals favor government regulation of the economy to reduce inequality • Free-market, laissez-faire is BAD • Higher minimum wage and high taxes on rich to pay for social services for the poor • Conservatives want limited government role • Market sets wage levels • Want lower tax rates so people keep more of their earnings and take responsibility for themselves

Politics by Demographics • High Education, Good Wealth lead to “good” social position • Tend to be Liberal, more tolerant of difference in lifestyles • Little Education, Little Wealth tend to have “lower” social position • Tend to be conservative on social issues • Tend to be liberal on economic issues • Very little difference in the way men and women vote or make decisions. Social position determines political ideology.

Feminism,as the Study of Gender with Goal of Equality • History of modern feminist movement began in the USA in the 1840s • “Spin=off” of Anti-slavery movement • In 1840s women could not own property or keep earnings or vote • 1848, Seneca Falls, NY • National Women’s Suffrage Association • Extreme liberal views for the time • 1920, Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote

1960s • 19th Amendment did not equalize men and women in society • Workplace equality • Reproductive rights

Three Types of Feminism • To solve the problem of patriarchy • Liberal Feminism • Socialist Feminism • Radical Feminism

Theories about Gender • Biological • Sex-Role • Social Constructions Theories

Continuum (of Feminism) • Radical ---Socialist---Liberal---Conservative

Liberal • M and W who think people should be able to freely choose and develop their talents and ideas • Reform approach, social institutions • Goal: M and W free to enjoy the same rights/rewards/opportunities • Objective: Pass the ERA

Support laws that combat prejudice and discrimination • Endorse policies like maternity/parental leave, childcare facilities in the workplace • Don’t expect the same social standing • Believe that different people have different talents and • Believe that talent and effort raise some people above others • There should be no barriers in people’s way of life based on sex

Socialist • Not reformist: Doubt that the existing institutions can end patriarchy • Support a Marxist-style Class Revolution so we can have equality for all • Believe that Capitalism oppresses women because it forces them into domestic “slavery” and to accept low/no wages

Capitalism forces women to be dependent upon men (for economic security) • Somewhat Important to abolish capitalism and replace it with some sort of social collectivity where all people share domestic tasks • If the work is shared there will be no class difference, no domination of one sex or group by another • Revolution is necessary before any economic conditions can change

Radical • Patriarchy is based on concept of gender, so the idea of gender must be abolished in order to bring about equality • The roots of gender differences are biological. . . only W can have children • Motherhood is the reason for inequality

The family is not an economic unit but a form of institutionalized heterosexuality, limiting women to home and childcare • New technologies give people power over reproduction and childcare (bottles, in vitro fertilization) • Heterosexuality and Family are no longer necessary for reproduction

All Three Left Positions • All agree that patriarchy must be dealt with, all agree that change is needed • Disagree on how to make the changes • We could be at the edge of a gender-free society

Conservative • (Right wing) • Adhere to Essentialism • Gender DOES matter—not just a social construction; it’s biological and real • Valorize in the differences (feminine vs. masculine) • Women are better nurturers, human relations, so they are more effective than men in certain venues like decision-making and conflict resolution

Core biological difference between men and women, and that difference MATTERS • Tend to uphold stereotypical beliefs • Views have support in brain, physiological, and psychological research • Females almost always take care of young children • Girls get immediate access to gender identity • Boys develop social relations based on perceived differences from the caretakers

Boys develop gender roles based on individual autonomy (independence) • Independence is more important than personal connections • Autonomy and separation matter: creates masculinity • Girls develop gender roles based on social or community relations • Connections matter more than independence • Interdependence and caring for others matters

Men b/c of testosterone • More aggressive • Sexually dominant • More war-like • Women b/c much less testosterone • More peaceful • Caring and nurturing

1960s • Essentialism was the 60s Radical Feminist view • Family was understood to be the basic social unit (of larger family, city, state, nation) • Defined as paternalistic and hierarchical (patriarchal) • Perfect democracy (at the same time) • Equality would emerge (from an imperfect model?)

Men had authority over women • Grandpa held authority over in-laws and women • Children had no rights, girls less so than boys • Essential feminists of the 60s tried to identify a little world of democracy inside the traditional family • Rationalized that the deepest sense of self and identity was determined in the family, concluding that the family life led to the success or failure of its individuals • Personal = Political • Heroes/ Business Leaders come from the family

Girls and Women are just as valuable, are equally important, to the family b/c of their separate roles • Culture still says (2002) that the family is important to success of society (and its individuals)

None of these social constructions are right or wrong; they just are.

Abortion Controversy • Liberals: Legal access to abortion is the key to women having control over their bodies (economy, career, etc.) during childbearing years and for their entire life. • Establishes independence from men when they (women) have more income earning opportunities.

Conservatives: Killing of unborn children; the issue is a matter of life and death • Nothing to do with economics or independence

Mild Statistics • A typical woman receiving an abortion: • Is in her 20s • Has already had one • Is probably white (58%) • Is unmarried (81%)

Political Spectrum