THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM

A political spectrum is a system of classifying different political positions

Origins of the terms “Right Wing” and “Left Wing” came from the seating arrangements in the French parliament after the Revolution

Those who are in the middle are classified as “Centrists” or “Moderates”

Concept Left Centre RightChange Unjust conditions must be

changed as quickly as possibleThere may be things that are

unjust in our society, but change does not happen

overnight. We must attack the problems, but realize it may

take years to bring about meaningful change.

Tend to support the establishment and the status quo. Don’t want

sweeping changes.

Role of Government in Social Programs

The government has a responsibility to care for all people, especially the less fortunate (e.g. child care programs, Medicare, etc.)

Believe in searching for ways to provide for the greatest

number of people based on what the country can afford.

The government should not interfere in the lives of individuals. Expensive social programs should

be cut.

Government Ownership

The government should own key industries and resources (e.g. transportation systems, natural resources).

Accepts moderate government management and intervention

n the economy.

Business and industry should be kept in private hands and the

government should be limited.

Individual Rights The rights of the individual have high priority.

Believe in law and order, but the rights of the individual

come first.

Law and order have high priority.

POLITICAL PARTIES

A political party is an organization of people which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political power

MAJOR FEDERAL PARTIES

Name Founded Ideology Leader MPs

    

Conservative Party of Canada

Parti conservateur du Canada

2003 Conservatism, Economic liberalism Stephen

Harper162

    

New Democratic PartyNouveau Parti démocratique

1961 Social democracy Thomas Mulcair

97

    Liberal Party of CanadaParti libéral du Canada 1867 Liberalism, Centrism Justin Tru

deau37

     Bloc Québécois 1991Quebec sovereignty, Separatism, Social democracy

Mario Beaulieu

2

 Green Party of CanadaParti vert du Canada 1983 Green politics Elizabeth

May2

MAJOR ONTARIO PARTIES

Name Founded Ideology Leader MPPs

  Ontario Liberal Party 1857 liberalism Kathleen Wynne

58

  Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

1854 conservatism

Tim Hudak 28

  Ontario New Democratic Party

1961 social democracy

Andrea Horwath

21