The Political Compass and the Political Spectrum

“If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand.” (Milton Friedman)

“Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed.” (Mark Twain)

Political Ideology…an ideology begins with the belief that ‘things’ can be better; it is a plan to improve society by following certain doctrines!

* What is IDEOLOGY?

* It is the VERBAL IMAGE of a ‘GOOD’ SOCIETY – and the “chief means of constructing that society!”

PRAGMATIC vs.

IDEOLOGUE

What historical figure do you share a spot on the POLITICAL SPECTRUM with?

“What do you think of when you hear LEFT and RIGHT in

American politics?”

Democrats Republicans

“Where do the terms LEFT and RIGHT come from?”

“Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.” (Richard Armour)

“What is the problem with a LINEAR REPRESENTATION of

political ideology?”

Stalin, Mao and… Gandhi? Pinochet, Bush and… Rand?

* By adding a SOCIAL DIMENSION (y axis) you can show the actual differences between

Stalin, Gandhi and Democrats; Pinochet, Rand and Republicans!

(traditional LEFT and RIGHT)

Democrats Republicans

Complete ECONOMIC and SOCIAL FREEDOM for individuals.

Complete ECONOMIC and SOCIAL REGULATION by the state.

Complete ECONOMIC regulation by individuals, complete SOCIAL FREEDOM for individuals.

Complete ECONOMIC FREEDOM for individuals, complete SOCIAL REGULATION by the state.

* CLOSENESS to an AXIS indicates MODERATE IDEOLOGY

COLLECTIVIST Ideology ANARCHO-CAPITALIST IdeologyEconomic Issues

…the “desire for the economy to be run by a cooperative collective agency” (the STATE OR a network of COMMUNES!)

…the “desire for the economy to be left to competing individuals and organizations”

1.) Emphasizes the INTER-DEPENDENCE OF HUMANS and their RESOURCES and ABILITIES

2.) Priority of GROUP ECONOMIC GOALS over INDIVIDUAL GOALS

1.) Promotes exercise of own economic goals and desires; values INDEPENDENCE and SELF-RELIANCE

2.) Advocates for INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGNTY in a free market

“What are SOCIETAL characteristics of both ideologies?”

AUTHORITARIAN/TOTALITARIAN Ideology

LIBERTARIAN Ideology

Social Issues

…the “belief that individual freedom should be maximized”

…the “belief that authority should be obeyed”

1.) The State holds TOTAL AUTHORITY over SOCIETY; seeks to CONTROL ALL ASPECTS of PUBLIC/PRIVATE LIFE

1.) An emphasis is placed on INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, POLITICAL FREEDOM and VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION

“What are SOCIETAL characteristics of both ideologies?”

“Where are MOST of the world’s governments on the POLITICAL SPECTRUM?”

American Politics:REMEMBER, this

shows the WHOLE spectrum of political thought. NOT just the

national average!

“Where are MOST AMERICAN POLITICIANS on the POLITICAL SPECTRUM?” – WHY?