The Political Spectrum
Political Parties
Interest Groups and Lobbyist
The Iron Triangle
The
Political Spectrum
Liberal
Conservative
Scope of Government
Governmental Power
More national, less state
More state, less national
Scope
Foreign and Domestic
Foreign
Role in Economy
Promote econ. Equality
Promote economic freedom/markets
Social
Promote ind. Freedom
choice
Society based on mores, norms, and
values of the group
Foreign Policy
Promote democracy
use Alliances
American Interest first
Equality
Government legislation
real change comes from individual
Education
supports public schools
promotes school choice
Purpose of Government
Provide, order
Protect
Liberty
promotes civil liberty
promotes economic liberty
2nd Amendment
weaken
strengthen- protect from ind. In and
outside the government
Liberal
30
N
o
n
E
c
o
n
o
m
i
c
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
15
Conservative 0
0
Liberal
15
Economic Responses
30
Conservative
1. Were you surprised by the test results? Why or why not?
2. List factors that influence where people fall on the spectrum?
3. Of the factors that influence people’s position on the spectrum, what is the single largest
factor that influenced your position.
4. Can/has your position change? Why? or Why not?
5. List some limitations to this process.
How could I have made this class appear more Centrist?
How could I have made this class appear more in a specific quadrant?
6. Why is it difficult to tell what each dot really represents?
7. Would it be possible for a politician to know what each dot represented?
8. What would be the correct policies to run on if a politician wanted to maximize their vote?
9. How do positions on the political spectrum lead to political parties?
10. How many combinations are possible for this test?
A Different Spectrum
ontheissues.org
How do you compare?
30
S
o
c
i
a
l
I
s
s
u
e
s
25
Pelosi
Biden
Obama
H. Clinton Tom Wolf
Ron Paul
20
Gore
Reid
Rand Paul
Bill Clinton
15
Casey
Fitzpatrick
Christie
Ben Carson
Carly Fiorina
10
5
Bush
Jeb Bush
Ted Cruz
Toomey
Marco Rubio
Romney
0
5
10
15
Economic Issues
20
25
30
Liberal
30
N
Concentrated
o
Interest
n
E
c
o
n
o
m
i
c
R
e
s
p
o
n
s
e
s
Liberal
The interest
of the general
public is
dispersed
Libertarian
Democrats
Special
Interest
P.A.C.s
unions
Centrists
15
Statist
Conservative 0
0
Liberal
Concentrated
Interest
Conservative
15
Economic Responses
30
Conservative
Republicans
Special Interest
P.A.C.s
(corporations)
Liberal
or
Conservative
Foreign Policy
Liberal
Foreign Policy based on spreading democracy and humanitarian aid. Support for foreign
alliances.
Conservative
Foreign Policy based on American interest first.
Federalism
Liberal
The national government needs to get involved in both domestic and foreign issues.
Conservative
The primary purpose of the federal government is to deal with international issues, while
domestic issues should be left to the states and/or the people
Traditional Values over Social Freedom
Liberal
Promotes individual social freedoms and equality over established traditional values, norms,
and mores.
Conservative
Individual social freedom is important, however individual private decisions should not take
priority of the welfare of the group or established traditions.
Rights vs. Protection
Liberal
The rights of criminals need to be respected and defended.
Conservative
Individual Protection more important than civil liberties during some situations.
Economic Freedom vs. Economic Equality
Liberal
The government should interfere with the free market to promote equal opportunity and
protection. This includes economic protections.
Conservative
Economic freedom of choice and property over equality of outcomes.
2nd Amendment
Liberal
In favor of stricter gun measures with the belief that they will better protect the individual.
Conservative
Preserving the 2nd Amendment is important. 2nd Amendment protects individuals.
Civil Rights
Liberal
It is the responsibility of the federal government to promote equal opportunity and protection
throughout the nation.
Conservative
It is the responsibility for the state and individuals to promote change. Federal regulations
usually miss the mark in terms of real change.
Fiscal Policy
Liberal
It is the government’s job to steer the market with spending and taxation. The government
has tools to lower unemployment and increase production.
Progressive taxation
Conservative
Government never creates wealth they only re-distribute it. Real wealth only happens with
meaningful production. Keep markets free.
There are already too many “broken windows”
Flat tax
President
Congress
Supreme
Court
Governmental Triangle
Pol. Parties have a significant influence on the triangle
Nominate, checks and balances, watchdog, informing voters
What parties do people
historically support?
States by Party, 2004
Presidential Election 2004
By County
2004 Exit Poll
Protestants (53%)
Catholics (22%)
New Voters (11%)
Women (54%)
Veterans (18%)
Married (63%)
Not married (37%)
Gay (4%)
Gun-owners (41%)
Bush (51%)
58%
51%
45%
47%
57%
56%
40%
23%
61%
Kerry (48%)
41%
48%
54%
52%
42%
43%
59%
77%
37%
2004 Exit Poll, Age
18-29 (17%)
60 and older (25%)
Bush (51%)
44%
46%
Kerry (48%)
54%
53%
Top PAC giving to Democrats
Top PAC giving to Republicans
We will watch a portion of President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union
address.
Make a list of liberal points. (start at 3:35)
2013 State of the Union address
We will now watch a portion of the Republican response to President’s
Obama’s 2013 State of the Union address.
Make a list of conservative points.
Republican response
Differences between Political Parties and Special Interest Groups
The Democratic Party
Unions
Special Interest Groups
P.A.C.s
The Republican Party
Big Corporations
Special Interest Groups
P.A.C.s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTGcS7vJqbs
What 3 types of symbiotic relationships in nature?
List examples of that we have learned about in this class.
Econ or Pol.
There are few things in life
more predictable than the
results of a congressional
election if the incumbent is
seeking re-election.
Relations developed between Interest groups and incumbent
Friendship is a Wonderful Thing
This idea even prompted one economist to say,
“Political Parties and special interests get the policies and the average voter gets the slogan.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CTCvONjfV4
Market failure
Due to the laws of the market the quantity of a product demanded by consumers does not
equate to the quantity supplied by suppliers. This is a direct result of a lack of certain
economically ideal factors, which prevents equilibrium.
Government Failure
Due to the laws of government the quantity of a product demanded by consumers does not
equate to the quantity supplied by suppliers. This is a direct result of a lack of certain
economically ideal factors, which prevents equilibrium.
Political Failure
One group having disproportionate influence. Some have either too much or too little.
As a result certain groups of people are over benefitted from government laws and
regulations.
This in turn impact policy and can lead to government failure.
With regards to your core
Look for political symbiotic relationships
(Iron Triangles)
One method of addressing your topic is to
disrupt or change the relationship.