Political Philosophies and the Political Spectrum Activity

Learning Target: Students will be able to explain the political spectrum and the political philosophies associated with the spectrum by using historical and modern day people and issues as examples.

 Students will be able to describe how political philosophies can divide a society. (what was happening in the 20’s and 30’s in Europe)

Reactionary/Fascism

Favors extreme change to restore society to an earlier, more conservative state.

Conservative

Seeks to keep in place the economic, political, and social structures of society. Emphasize law and order and are protective of the status quo. Traditional and sometimes restricting. Laissez Faire, limited government, strong military response.

Moderate

Holds beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative, usually including some of both.

Liberal

Believes that the government must take action to change economic, political, and ideological policies thought to be unfair. Individual Rights and freedom are emphasized. Government intervention. Negotiation.

 

Radical/Communism

Favors Extreme change and wants to create an altered or entirely new social system.

Question to Ponder????

How can different political philosophies (views) create conflict in society?

How did differing political philosophies create conflict in Europe in between the wars? (Swing Kids)

Where do YOU Stand

Take the Where do You Stand testWhen completed, total your score

Exit slip

On the bottom of the Where do you Stand test describe which one of the 5 political philosophies best describes you and tell why?

Political Spectrum

Started with the French Revolution People that sat on the right-side of the

Estates General that supported King Louis XVI and Queen Mare Antoinette-no change

People that sat on the left-side of the Estates General wanted sweeping changes and an entirely new French society

Activity

Define your person, group, or issue and describe why it is an example of 1 of the 5 ideologies.

Place it on the political spectrum and tell why you placed it there.

Benito Mussolini

Who is he?Fascist Leader of Italy

Political PhilosophyReactionary/Fascist-1Totalitarian Leader-wanted to restore

Italy to greatness

Adolf Hitler 

Who is he?Fascist leader of Germany

Political Philosophy Reactionary/Fascist-1Totalitarian Leader-wanted to restore

Germany to greatnessSingle party, terror and fear

Joseph Stalin

Who is he? “Communist” Leader of the Soviet Union

Political Philosophy Radical/Communism???? 5-in theory. How he

practiced communism was different. He was a communist in name only.

 Totalitarian Leader-Single party, terror and fear Karl Marx was a true left-wing, communist

Question

How did Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin’s political philosophies create conflict in Europe and their own country in between the wars?

Barack Obama

Who is he?President of the US

Political PhilosophyModerate-Liberal-4Universal Healthcare, pro-choice

Al Qaeda

Who are they? Militant Islamic organization founded by Osama

Bin Laden

Political Philosophy Reactionary-Create a greater Islamic state-1 suicide attacks  Bombings 911

Isis

Who are they? Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

Political Philosophy Reactionary-Create a greater Islamic state-1 Want to establish an Islamic state that

encompasses all Sunni Muslims Shiite Muslims too liberal

How are Al Qaeda and ISIS different?

ISIS is fighting more conventionally-assault rifles, grenades

Al Qaeda-focus on carrying out spectacular global attacks-9/11, Westgate Mall in Kenya

ISIS more brutal and centralized than Al Qaeda

ISIS more popular with young Muslim extremist-more followers than Al Qaeda

Question

How do these political groups create conflict today?

Supportive of same sex marriage

Political PhilosophyLiberal-4Why?Individual Rights and Freedom

All states should legalized marijuana and you should be able to grow it and sell it in your own home

Political PhilosophyRadical-5Why?Extreme change

LGBT people should not be able to openly serve in the military  Political Philosophy

Conservative-1.5-2Why?Traditional and restricting

Question

How do these issues create conflict in society today?

The government should fix the problems of society and spend money on Welfare Programs

Political PhilosophyLiberal-4Why? Unfair policies fixed

The government should provide healthcare for all citizens of their country

Political PhilosophyLiberal-4Why? Unfair policies fixed

The government’s intervention in societal problems should be limited 

Political PhilosophyConservative-2Why? Laissez Faire

Question

How do these issues create conflict in society today?

United States should intervene in Afghanistan

Political PhilosophyConservative-2Why? Strong Military Response

US government should negotiate with the Iraqi government

Political PhilosophyLiberal-4Why? Negotiation/Diplomacy

The United States should have a strong military response in the Middle East

Political PhilosophyConservative-2Why? Strong Military Response

Question

How do these issues create conflict in society today?

Lady GagaWho is she?- singer/songwriterDiscussionLiberal-Radical?????

Steve Jobs

Who is he?-CEO of Apple

Discussion

Kanye West

Who he is? recording artist, songwriter, record producer, director, entrepreneur, and fashion designerDiscussion

Question

How do these people create conflict in society today?

Line-up

Lowest to highest scores40-80-more liberal80-120-more conservative

Exit Slip

Using what you have seen in Swing Kids thus far and this activity, how can political philosophies divide a country?

After completing this activity, do you still agree with your original political philosophy? Why or why not?

Was your quiz score an accurate assessment of your political philosophy?