Political Perspective As you prepare to learn about Canada's major political parties, it will be helpful to understand four commonly applied labels which are used to describe the beliefs and characteristics of political parties. These political labels also help to explain what we mean by political perspective. They are referred to as parts of a political spectrum. One's beliefs may exist between two extremes in the spectrum: in other words, one may be neither right wing nor left wing, but somewhere in between both these very different perspectives. Hopefully, this will make you pause and think about the labelling of political leaders or people in general. It might also help you figure out your beliefs as you develop your own political identity. So, as you read through these specific four terms on the political spectrum, think about the following important questions: Which of the four terms would best describe what you believe? Was it easy to label yourself? Do your ideas cross over into the characteristics of any other parts of the spectrum? 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJA3EhyVPc0&ab_channel=CIVIX 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_TTYd6yIYI&ab_channel=BBCIdeas Left wingersbelieve in socialism. They believe that the government can be a positive force for social change. For solutions to poverty, health care, discrimination against minority groups, and protection of workers, they look to the government. Left wingers advocate social justice and social change, and believe that governments are best able to deliver and to manage that change. They are content to pay taxes to the government in return for the services that they get in return. Left wingers are suspicious of large corporations and claim that they are motivated only by the desire for profits. They think that without regulation and supervision from the government, these corporations would engage in unsafe and unethical practices. Left wingers believe that the government should be heavily involved in managing and regulating the economy. 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcNLEreBwNE&ab_channel=misesme dia

Right wingersbelieve in capitalism. They believe that the marketplace, made up of individuals buying and selling products, is the strongest force for positive social change. Their idea is that a strong economy will naturally create jobs and lead to social progress. As the economy grows, poverty will decrease and companies will be motivated to keep their workers safe and happy. Right wingers advocate economic freedom and

opportunities to succeed based on individual initiative and hard work. They dislike taxes because they believe that many of the services provided by government could be provided more efficiently and for less money by the private sector. Right wingers are suspicious of large governments motivated by the desire to interfere with and regulate the activities of individuals and corporations. 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRKl8_Do8hA&ab_channel=BBCIdea s Libertariansbelieve in liberty (or freedom) above all else. Their central belief is the right of individuals to live their lives as they see fit, free from the interference of government. They believe that an individual's rights to life, liberty, and property existed long before governments were created and that people do not need governments to tell them to do the right thing. Libertarians feel that people are basically good and can be trusted to make their own decisions about what they will do with their lives and with whom they will be involved. Libertarians believe that the only laws needed are laws forbidding people from taking away someone else's freedom, such as murder, rape, robbery, and kidnapping. 5. Authoritariansbelieve in respect for authority--namely, the government. They believe that loyalty to one's country and its leader is critical for a strong, united nation. A good citizen, therefore, is one who obeys the leader almost without question. Good citizens, according to authoritarians, will sacrifice their own individual needs for the safety and stability of the country. Authoritarians believe that people cannot be trusted to make their own decisions. Instead, a strong leader or government has the wisdom and is in the best position to tell people how to live their lives; a strong government will also protect them. Authoritarians believe that strict laws covering all aspects of life are needed to guarantee order and stability. Therefore, those laws should be enforced to the fullest extent possible.

In the discussion, you selected four civic issues to use as a focal point for this assignment. On the chart on the next page, write in the issues that you selected below as the column headings. 2. Next, visit the websites of Canada's major political parties to find out where they stand on each of the issues. You can return to the assignment page for the links if needed. In the space provided, summarize the position of each political party on the four issues, using point form. You can expand this chart as needed. 3. One extra row has been added to allow you to add in the name of one additional political party of your own choosing. This could be a smaller party that is running candidates in your area, or a party that you've heard of in the media. 4. Now that you've looked at the party positions, it's time for you to take a stand. What do you think about this issue? Who's right? Why? What would you do if you were the Prime Minister? Write one paragraph (5-8 sentences) to express your thoughts. Be sure both to express your opinion and to back up that opinion with at least two specific facts.