190 likes | 395 Views
The Political Spectrum. Chapter 5: “Political Parties” www.politicalcompass.org. What famous historical figure do you share a spot on the political spectrum with? . First off, let us understand the TRUE meaning of the term LIBERAL.
E N D
The Political Spectrum Chapter 5: “Political Parties” www.politicalcompass.org
What famous historical figure do you share a spot on the political spectrum with?
First off, let us understand the TRUE meaning of the term LIBERAL * Liberal in the CLASSICAL sense of the word = “hands-off” * * George Washington’s “liberal democracy” – 1790 * America today… LIBERTARIANISM! Just kidding.
What are the problems with this linear representation of political philosophy? Stalin, Mao and… Gandhi? Pinochet and… Rand? Democrats? Republicans?
By adding a social dimension (y axis) you can show the differences between Stalin, Gandhi and Democrats; Pinochet, Rand and Republicans!
Complete Economic and Social regulation. Complete Economic freedom, complete Social regulation. Complete Economic regulation, complete Social freedom. Complete Economic and Social freedom.
First, let’s look at the economic scale (x axis)! * Communism (LEFT) and Liberalism (RIGHT) *
Economic Issues Left (Communism) Right (Liberalism) • Planned/regulated markets • High (or absolute) taxation • Limits on prop. ownership • Collectivization • Free and open markets • Free/open trade • Limited or no taxation • Private Property
Next, let’s look at the social scale (y axis)! * Authoritarianism(top) and Libertarianism(bottom) *
Social Issues Authoritarianism (Fascism) • Compulsory military service • Regulated ind. behavior, social issues • Censorship (speech/media) Libertarianism (Anarchism) • No (or very small) standing army • Un-regulated behavior, social issues • Free speech and media
Josef Stalin, the USSR and “Stalinism” • Stalinist policies in the Soviet Union included: • * Socialism • * Centralized state • * Collectivization of agriculture, industry and manufacturing • * Subordination of interests
Noam Chomsky and “Libertarian Socialism” * Anti-Capitalism * Anti-Authoritarianism * OPPOSED to the ‘state’ * Strong advocates for CIVIL LIBERTIES, IND. FREEDOM * SPAIN – before WWII…
Augusto Pinochet and his Chilean Presidency… • After Pinochet took control of the Chilean government: • * Cut tariffs (free-trade) to promote global trade • * Restricted labor unions… • * Privatized social security… • * Privatized hundreds of state-controlled industries…
Ayn Rand and “Objectivism” * Objectivists believe government is both legitimate and critically important in order to protect individual rights… “…the police, to protect men from criminals – the armed services, to protect men from foreign invaders – the law courts, to settle disputes among men according to objectively defined laws…"
Where do we typically designate European countries on the political spectrum?
American Politics: REMEMBER, this shows the WHOLE spectrum of political thought. NOT just the national average!