1.1 TYPES OF GOVERNMENT (IDEOLOGIES) &
THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM PART I
Political Ideologies & Spectrum
■ Political Ideology:
– A belief about how governments should operate
■ Political Spectrum:
– A visual representation of the ideologies form one extreme to the other.
– Left Wing, Center, and Right Wing
THE SPECTRUM
Left
Centre
Right
Left Wing
■ Supports change to improve welfare of all citizens
■ Government plays larger role in people’s lives, especially providing social
services (education, health care)
■ Law and order are important to protect the rights of all citizens
Center
Tradition is important, but change must be supported if most people want it
■ Government should play a role only when it improves the lives of citizens
■ Law and order are important to encourage and protect the rights of
individuals
■
Right Wing
Tradition is important, and change should be treated with caution
■ Government should play a small role, relying on private businesses to ensure
the needs of the citizens are met
■ Law and order are important to protect society and its traditions
■
Where do the ideologies fall on the
spectrum?
Communism
Socialism
Left
Liberalism
Centre
Conservatism
Fascism
Right
Ideologies/ Philosophies
Democracy
Totalitarianism
■ Socialism
■ Communism
■ Liberalism
■ Fascism
■ Conservatism
Democracy
■ “rule by the people”
■ Introduced by the ancient Greeks
■ 2 types:
- Direct democracy
- Indirect democracy
Direct Democracy
■ Every eligible citizen participates by directly speaking and voting on all
decisions affecting society
■ This type was used in ancient Athens
What are some issues that are present with this type?
Indirect/Representative Democracy
■ Became necessary as populations increase to enormous proportions
– unfeasible to have millions of people directly involved in every decision
■ Therefore, elected representatives speak and make decisions on behalf of
the larger population
Democracy’s Characteristics
■ Main principles are equality and freedom
■ All citizens are equal
■ Everyone is subject to the same laws
■ No one is above the law
■ Rights and freedoms protected by constitution and other written laws
We will look at 3 ideologies that fall within the heading of democracy…
Socialism
■ Backlash against industrial
revolution and capitalist
economy
■ Capitalism caused great social
harm and poverty was
widespread
■ Is about equality and social
justice
■ Believe government should
control important parts of the
economy
■ Calls for public rather than
private ownership of resources
Socialism Continued…
■ Emphasis on social welfare
–
production should benefit all
members of community not just
a few
■ Aims at establishing classless
society
■ Mild, democratic form of
communism
– Equality can be achieved
through elections ;
revolution is not necessary
■ Some democratic socialism in
Canada
– Crown corporations (gov’t
run)
■ Ex. Canada Post
Quick note on Capitalism
■ Also known as free market
economy
■ Means of production are
privately owned
■ People and individuals compete
to produce goods and make a
profit
■ Increased profit and wealth
becomes the main goal
■ Creates society of classes (rich,
middle, poor)
Liberalism
■ Government should provide services for citizens to improve minimum
standard of living
– Ex. Access to electricity and resources, health care and education
■ Protect the rights of individuals and groups
■ Balances between social freedoms (work, travel, religion) and protecting civil
liberties
■ Canada is generally a liberalist country
Conservatism
■ Focus on tradition – stance against change,
innovation and reform
■ Maintenance of established political and social
institutions and values
■ Government should have little influence on
business- “laissez-faire” attitude= leave it alone, let
it be
■ Two kinds of conservatism:
– Social conservatism: preserve traditional values
– Fiscal conservatism: low taxes and government
debt
Class/Homework
■ Read and answer the questions provided in the ‘Types of Government’
Ideologies Booklet.