The Political

Landscape
 Learning Goals
By the end of this lesson you will:
1. Analyze how beliefs and values share positions and actions
on political issues.
2. Describe different ideologies on the political spectrum.
3. Analyze their position on the political spectrum and compare
it to others
4. Assess which political party they might be aligned with
5. Demonstrate respect for others perspectives.

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 A Civic or Political Issue
▫ Is a topic or subject that people speak about because it
affects many people in society and often there are
different opinions about how to view or address this
issue.
▫ Can you think of any examples of civic or political
issues?

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 A Civic or Political Issue
Look at the spectrum on the board:
Step One: Formulate an Opinion
▫ Read the opposing statements and take a few minutes to jot
down some notes about which side of the spectrum you are
on.
Step Two:
▫ After reflecting on the statement take a post it note and place
it on the spectrum
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 A Civic or Political Issue
Step Three: Explain your position
▫ Share why you chose which side of the spectrum you are on.
▫ Use your jot notes you have to support your reasoning.
▫ Does anyone what to re-evaluate their position?

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Political Spectrum and
Political Parties
 Political Ideologies
▫ A political ideology is
a set of shared ideas
and beliefs about the
role of government
and how society
should work.

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 The Political Spectrum
The political spectrum
provides a way to
characterize and
distinguish between
different political
ideologies, positions,
and political parties.

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The Political Spectrum

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 The Linear Spectrum
▫ A linear spectrum is represented as a horizontal line

The left generally favors issues such as: social equality,

government involvement and more social services.
The right favours traditions, smaller governments and
lower taxes.

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 The Multi-Dimensional Spectrum
▫ When there is more than
one axis, each represents
a different set of issues.
▫ Economic Issues:
Horizontal axis
▫ Social Issues: Vertical
Axis

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 Stop and Think
Which do you think is better and why?

Option One: Lower taxes and FEWER government services.

Option Two: Higher taxes and MORE government services.

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 Economic Issues Left vs. Right
Left Leaning Right Leaning

▫ Higher taxes ▫ Lower taxes

▫ More government ▫ Less government
involvement in the interventions/free market
economy ▫ Fewer government
▫ More social services services

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 STOP AND THINK
Which statement do you believe more strongly and why?

A) Societies do not have to follow established traditions

B) Traditions provide security and stability and must be
respected

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 Social Issues: Progressive vs. Conservative
▫ Societies do not have follow
Progressive established traditions.
▫ Improvement of society through
change
▫ Promotion of social justice values

▫ Traditions provide security and

stability and must be respected.
Conservative ▫ Preservation of established values.

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 Two Dimension Grid

A political spectrum
quiz, will place you on
a grid based on where
you sit on each
political dimension

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 Where are you on the political spectrum?
Vote Compass Link

Vote compass Canada is a political spectrum tool, which

helps young people familiarize themselves with different
ideological positions at the federal level. At the end of the
survey you will be placed on the two-dimensional political
spectrum.

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 Discussion
1. Were you surprised by where you landed on the political
spectrum?
2. What did this exercise teach you about the political
spectrum, values, beliefs and politics?
3. Do you have any questions about this exercise?

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 Political Parties

▫ A political party is made

up of a group of people
who share a similar
political ideology and
goals about society and
government.

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 Testing your Knowledge

Do you know the names of any political

parties or party leaders at the federal level?

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 Registered Parties (Federal Level)
• Animal Protection Party of Canada
• Bloc Québécois
• Canada’s Fourth Front
• Christian Heritage Party of Canada
• Communist Party of Canada
• Conservative Party of Canada
• Free Party Canada
• Green Party of Canada
• Liberal Party of Canada
• Libertarian Party of Canada
• Marijuana Party
• Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
• National Citizens Alliance of Canada
• New Democratic Party
• Parti pour l'Indépendance du
Québec
• Parti Rhinocéros Party
• People’s Party of Canada
• Veterans Coalition Party of Canada

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 Reflection: Exit Ticket
Through a written reflection consider your response to
three of the following questions:
1. Do you agree with where you were placed on the political spectrum?
Why or why not?
2. How are people's beliefs and values connected to their positions on
political issues?
3. What do you think has shaped your political views the most and why?
4. Why is it important to consider and respect others’ opinions and
perspectives?

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