The Political Spectrum Left and Right Why do

The Political Spectrum

Left and Right? Why do we sometimes refer to people as being either left or right? What do we mean when we call some as a ‘righty’ or ‘lefty’? Where does the term come from?

Commoners, Businessmen, etc. Speake (Left) r Aristocrats/Royalists/the Church (Right)

Philosophy • People are naturally social and altruistic • The state’s role is to care/provide for everyone (requires more taxes) • Resources/institutions should be collectively owned • Progressive (changing) social values • There is a “Common Good” Left Karl Marx 1818 -1833 • People are naturally individualistic and self-interested • The state’s role is more or less to protect individual rights (less taxes) • More traditional (fixed) social values • No particular conception of the “Common Good” Right John Locke 1632 -1704

Philosophy

Role of Government Left We collectively decide what is “good for me” Greater Collective Responsibility to Others Public/Collective ownership of institutions, natural resources, industry etc. Very Involved in the affairs of individuals and businesses Righ t I decide what is “good for me” Greater Personal Responsibility Private/Individual ownership of institutions, natural resources, industry etc. Not very Involved in how individuals or business operate

Where Do You Fit?

Canada on the Spectrum

Canada on the Spectrum Left Centre Righ t