Political Ideologies

and Political Parties

OK, You have probably always
wondered what this left wing,
right wing thing is all about. Well,
you are about to find out.
The terms Left and Right wing originate from the seating of the members
of the newly elected French Legislative Assembly in 1791 during the French
Revolution

The Left: The Right:

Advocates of Supporters of the
radical change, existing order,
republicans monarchists

King Louis XVI

Legislative Assembly
 LEFT WING
More liberal
Support change in order to improve welfare of all citizens
Government should play a larger role in peoples lives
(social services, benefits)
Law and order are important to protect right of all citizens
fairly and equally
More freedom to individuals and less power to police
EXAMPLE= Communism / Socialism
 CENTRE
Tradition is important but change is supported if most
people want it
Government should play a role in that it improves the
lives of citizens
Law and order are important to encourage and protect
right of individuals
EXAMPLE= Federal Liberal party
 RIGHT WING
More conservative
Tradition is important and change should be
treated with caution
Government should play a small role
Private business should ensure needs of citizens
are met
Emphasis of law and order to protect society and
its traditions maintain the status quo
Less freedom to individuals and more power to
police.
EXAMPLE= Fascism
Political Ideologies
totalitarianism: (one leader, through power and
fear)
a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and
requires complete subservience to the state.

democracy: (power from the people)

a system of government by the whole population or all the
eligible members of a state, typically through elected
representatives
Political Ideologies
direct democracy: people vote directly on laws and policy
decisions
representative democracy: people vote for people who will
represent them and make decisions about laws and policy.
Political Ideologies
Communism: a political theory derived from Karl
Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society
in which all property is publicly owned and each
person works and is paid according to their abilities
and needs.
Socialism: a political and economic theory of social
organization that advocates that the means of
production, distribution, and exchange should be
owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
Political Ideologies
Arent communism and socialism the same? (Not
quite)
while communism requires the violent overthrow of the
established political order, socialism can work within the political
structure.
In addition, where communism demands central control over the
means of production (at least in the initial stages), socialism
allows for more free enterprise among workers' cooperatives.
Political Ideologies
Capitalism: an economic and political system in
which a country's trade and industry are controlled
by private owners for profit, rather than by the
state.
Note: This is more of an economic system, but it is tied to
political ideas still. For example, in the Cold War, Communism
(USSR) and Capitalism (USA) were in conflict.
Political Ideologies
Liberalism: Government should provide more
services to the less fortunate (like health care) and
increase taxes if necessary. High-income earners
should pay a larger percentage of their income as
taxes.
Conservatism: Government should tax less and
spend less. Cutting spending to balance the budget
should be the priority. Higher income earners
should have an incentive to invest (credits). Charity
is the responsibility of the people.
Political Ideologies
Fascism: a political philosophy, movement, or
regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts
nation and often race above the individual and that
stands for a centralized autocratic government
headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic
and social regimentation, and forcible suppression
of opposition.
Examples: Nazi Germany, Mussolinis Italy
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
IDEOLOGY
political & social
principles or beliefs. LIBERALISM CONSERVATISM
LEFT WING CENTER RIGHT WING
??<=RULE OF LAW=>?? COMMUNISM SOCIALISM DEMOCRACY FASCISM

SOCIALISM LIBERALISM CONSERVATISM

-Anti-Laissez Faire economy.
-Intended to reduce poverty.
-Govt controlled economy.
-Arrived in 1930s people were
disillusioned with capitalism.
-Pro individual freedom.
-Govt should intervene to
regulate economy.
-Govt maintains basic standards
of living & protects rights.
-against change / for tradition.
-Pro Laissez-Faire economy.
-Anti govt intervention.
-Reduce govt spending.
IDEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
SYSTEMS OF GOVT USING COWS

SOCIALISM You have two cows; the govt

takes one, and gives it to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM You have two cows; the govt takes both of

them and gives you the milk.

FASCISM You have two cows; the govt takes both of them
and sells you the milk.

CAPITALISM -You have two cows; you sell one and buy a bull!
BUREACRACY
STALINISM You have two cows; the govt takes them both,
You have two cows; the govt shoots one, milks the other and pours the milk
takes both of them and shoots you. down the drain
 Political Ideologies/ Spectrum: the standard linear
model

Far Left Centre- Left Centre Centre- Right Far Right

Socialists Liberal Conservatives Ultraconservatives

Communists Liberals Conservatives Fascists
Canadian Political Parties

The House of Commons

Liberal Party of Canada Liberalism, social liberalism
Justin Trudeau

Conservative Party Conservatism, economic liberalism

Andrew Scheer

New Democratic Party Social democracy

Jagmeet Singh

Bloc Qubcois Quebec sovereignty, social democracy

Martine Ouellete

Green Party of Canada Green politics

Elizabeth May
 Interim Leader
(Election taking place
in the next 2 months) Andrew J. Weaver

Interim leader will

be selected in the
John Horgan next 2 months
 Key Terms to Know
Policy: A plan of action by a political party or government to achieve certain
goals
Platform: A formal, written statement outlining the policies of a political party
Political Parties: Organized groups of people with common values or goals who
compete to get candidates elected and to form the government. Helps
maintain stability in government.
Political Ideology/Spectrum: A line showing the range of political beliefs from
liberalism to conservatism.
Polls: a survey of public opinion, or a place where a voter goes to vote on
election day
Party Solidarity: members of political party vote together on bills/laws. Ensures
that the party remains (at least, publically) together. Can be kicked out of a
party for not voting on issues with your party.
 Ideologies and Parties
Your views on economic, social, and
religious issues have a direct impact
upon the Political Party that you wish to
support. For instance,
Should the government censor the arts?
Should Marijuana be de-criminalized?
Should all Canadians receive equal
access to health care?
Should taxes be raised to pay for much
needed social programs?
Should money be redistributed from the
richer provinces to the poorer ones?
 Liberals
Liberals tend to hold the
following Political Views:
Government should be
involved in the lives of
citizens.
Citizens should have equal
opportunities through law
Strong support of social
programs such as welfare,
health care and pensions
Higher taxes to pay for social
programs
A small military
 Conservatives
Conservatives tend to hold the
following views:
There should be minimal
government intervention in the
economy
Citizens should take greater
responsibility for themselves
They believe in traditional values
(e.g. religious views on social
issues)
Lower taxes to increase global
competitiveness
There should be a strong military
 Who would you vote for?
What is Charisma?

For many, the main Justin Trudeau

ingredient for
electoral success is
charisma; the ability
to inspire the
people to join you
in a march towards
greater prosperity. Stephen Harper
Who has Charisma?

n
 Charisma

How do you define Charisma? Who

has it? Who doesnt?
Do you need it to be successful
In Politics?
 Who decides Policy?:
The Supreme Court
When a political party
adopts laws, it needs to
make sure that those laws do
not contradict the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms
The Supreme Court can find
laws unconstitutional is they
violate the rights and
freedoms in the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms.

The Supreme Court of Canada