This is a directed reading activity, designed as an introduction to two major political ideologies: liberalism and conservatism.
Main Activity:
STEP THREE: Students will analyze their ideology by drawing a political spectrum map and plotting where their views fall.
Draw the Political Spectrum Map (the diamond on the right) in your notebook or another sheet of paper.
Label the Political Spectrum Map with the following terms: Libertarian, Left Liberal, Moderate, Right Conservative and Authoritarian.
Label where you fell on the Political Map according to the Quizzes. (Hint: Make sure make your mark (denoting your political ideology) is large enough to see clearly and label it with your name!)
Click here to take "The Worlds Smallest Political Quiz"
Click here to take the "Idealog" .
Click here to view "The Political Compass".
Read the following six paragraphs on Political Ideologies.
Then view the "Idealog" slide show.
Use the reading & slide show to complete the tasks on the Response Sheet.
Write responses on the response sheet provided below.
Political Ideologies
Paragraph One: Economic and political ideologies (belief systems) shape the structure of policies of governments. How a government distributes wealth, the role the government should play in the nation's economy, and the role of private citizens in the economic system are all key factors that characterize the differences between communism, socialism and capitalism.
Paragraph Two: Generally speaking, conservatives and liberals adhere to an economic philosophy that supports creativity, productivity, protection of workers and a healthy economy. The difference between the two philosophies has more to do with their view of the cost and benefit of government's direct intervention in the process.
Paragraph Three: Conservatives often support deregulation of industry, believing that regulations and the regulatory agencies, which enforce them often, have harmful impacts on our economy. Conservatives tend to follow laissez-faire beliefs and tend to support lower tax burdens.
Paragraph Four: Liberals often support regulation of industries and support regulatory agencies. They tend to believe that the government must play a role in the distribution of wealth and must provide social programs and a safety net to protect citizens who are the most vulnerable.
Paragraph Five: A conservative political ideology is a coherent and consistent set of beliefs including more limited and local government, less government regulation of markets, more social conformity to traditional norms and values, and tougher policies towards criminals.
Paragraph Six: A liberal political ideology is a coherent consistent set of beliefs including a more active federal government for regulating business, supporting social welfare, and protecting minority rights. Liberals also tend to prefer less regulation of private social conduct.
STEP ONE - Answer the following question with your best guess.
If you do not know how to answer this question, write down several beliefs about what the role of government should be in your life.
Question: Which political ideology do you think you ascribe to (believe in)? (Your choices may include Libertarian, Left Liberal, Moderate, Right Conservative or Authoritarian.)
Record your response in your notebook or another sheet of paper.
Students get to use interactive quizzes to discover their own political ideology and then compare themselves to others -- in a matter or seconds!
STEP TWO - Take the following online quizzes.
The World's Smallest Political Quiz.
The Political Quiz Show
Once you have finished the 1st Quiz and clicked the Submit button at the end of it, you will be taken to the Results Sheet. This sheet will show you a Political Map charting your particular political ideology.
Use the BACK BUTTON on the menu bar at the top of the page to return to this page & take the next quiz.
Political Philosophies
Libertarian
Libertarians are self-governors in both personal and economic matters. They believe government's only purpose is to protect people from coercion and violence. They value individual responsibility, and tolerate economic and social diversity.
Left-Liberal
Left-Liberals prefer self-government in personal matters and central decision-making on economics. They want government to serve the disadvantaged in the name of fairness. Leftists tolerate social diversity, but work for economic equality.
Centrist (Moderate)
Centrist favor selective government intervention and emphasize practical solutions to current problems. They tend to keep an open mind on new issues. Many centrists feel that government serves as a check on excessive liberty.
Conservative
Right-conservatives prefer self-government on economic issues, but want official standards in personal matters. They want the government to defend the community from threats to its moral fiber.
Authoritarian
Authoritarians want government to advance society and individuals through expert central planning. They often doubt whether self-government is practical. Left-authoritarians are also called socialists, while fascists are right-authoritarians.
STEP FOUR: Read the definitions given below.
Were the quizzes useful in helping you to decide what your Political Ideology is?
The World's Smallest Political Quiz.
