COMMUNISM
Marx-”Struggle between economic classes will inevitably come to a head through a violent overthrow of capitalist society. Workers will take control of the means of production. The government would fade away as workers build a classless society and an economy based on common ownership. Religion, family and institution of social control will fade away. Differences between classes will diminish, opening the way for unlimited development of human potential.” In the case of the Soviet Union, it was governed by the “dictatorship of the proletariat” which they stated was a intermediate stage along the progression towards true communism. In the early twentieth century, no communist government had progressed to a classless society. However upper classes, private property ownership, religion and family structures had declined. Recently, China and Russia have revived a market economy and allowed limited religious observance.
LEFT or PROGRESSIVE
Believe that the free market system is inherently flawed in favor of the rich and powerful. The government should either work within the framework of the market system but heavily regulate it and pay for more social services and welfare through higher taxation on the rich and corporations, or abandon the free market altogether in favor of socialism. Democratic Socialist of America believes “in the abolition of capitalism in favor of an economy run by either the workers or the government.” Big government is the power that equalizes all economic and social outcomes.
Opposes nationalism, looks to class solidarity versus national solidarity. Believes in open borders, the US should welcome anyone who makes it to our shores. Sees society as composed of groups: racial, sex, income, age, marital status, sexual preference. These groups are specifically appealed to for support. Social justice is a major theme. Opponents are labeled as racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic and Islamophobic. People who enter this life as privileged have a unfair advantage in life. Free speech is opposed if it is viewed as harmful or offensive to the listener.
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MODERN LIBERALISM
Believe that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls. There should be more economic fairness, so the rewards are shared broadly, not just with those at the top. Believe that today’s extreme level of income and wealth inequality makes our country weaker, our communities poorer, and our politics poisonous. Believe that the the greed, recklessness, and illegal behavior on Wall Street must be brought to a end. Holds that diversity is not our problem, it is our promise. They are proud of our heritage as a nation of immigrants. What makes America great is the unerring belief that we can make it better. Believe America is unlike any other nation on earth. Our ingenuity is unparalleled, our military unrivaled, our economy the largest and our values are an enduring source of strength and inspiration the world over.
Supports regulations that achieve a more fair and just society like affirmative action, universal health care, civil rights, union rights, voting rights, gay rights, equal pay for equal work, paid child care and sick leave, fair housing, $15.00 minimum wage, SNAP Program, religious minority rights, right to retire with dignity, and disabled rights. Oppose the racial wealth gap, profiling, hate speech, Citizens United ruling, carbon based energy expansion, Hyde Amendment, vilification of Muslims and Guantanamo Bay.
Global warming is a imminent threat to the planet and the US should take the lead in reducing carbon emissions. Believe in legal immigration but supports comprehensive immigration reform that grants legal status to people who are currently in the country without documentation. Believes that the criminal justice system is unfairly targeting racial minorities. Support increased regulation on gun sales and enhanced background checks. Support universal preschool, free college tuition, and students allowed to go bankrupt on student loan debt.
Source: 2016 DNC Platform
MODERN CONSERVATIVE
American exceptionalism-the notion that our ideas and principles as a nation give us a unique place of moral leadership in the world. Support “peace through strength”. God bestows certain inalienable rights on every individual thus producing human equality. The role of government is to protect the rights of its citizens. Prefer smaller government and less regulation. Most services should be provided by the private sector in a free market. Government should tax less and spend less. Want only necessary regulations of business, economy and individual lives, that results in more freedom. Limited federal government with more power to state and local governments. Support a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment and a reduction in the National Debt. Believe in supporting the Constitution as written and amended, not as a living document subject to individual interpretation. Support the First Amendment- “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Appreciates the Judeo-Christian roots of American civilization by being Pro-Life and Pro-Traditional Marriage. Promote equal justice that doesn’t favor the rich or the poor. Seeks equal opportunity for every individual as opposed to equal outcomes
Capitalism is the best means of lifting great numbers out of poverty by creating jobs. Believe in the dignity of work. Believe in the American Dream (All have an opportunity to be wealthy) and free enterprise system. Welfare should be a temporary help for people to become independent and should be given to those truly incapable of taking care of themselves. It is harmful to individuals to see themselves as victims of any kind of injustice. Health care should be controlled by the recipients (Health Savings Accounts) and provided by private enterprise. Government has a role in providing health care for the poor.
Support the right to bear arms, strong military, death penalty, tort reform, term limits, energy independence, right to work laws, free trade, Israel, voter ID laws, reforming the Veterans Administration, and school choice. American sovereignty over globalism institutions like the United Nations. Supports stronger immigration laws like E-Verify and the building of a border wall
Source: 2016 RNC Platform
Classic Liberalism/Libertarian
Even though there are minor differences between these two philosophies they have a great deal in common. Classical Liberalism was the political philosophy of the Founders who wrote the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers. Natural Rights do not come from government but from the Creator. The only legitimate purpose of government is to protect those rights.
Government should be limited to the following functions: protect individual rights, national defense, protect citizens from wrongs committed by others against private property/contracts, building public institution and public works. Believe in negative rights, which require individuals and government to refrain from interfering with the free market and individual liberty. Personal choice and, hence, individual liberty and personal responsibility are crucial in the achievement of individual happiness. They strongly oppose government interference in their personal, family and business decisions. They believe people should be free to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they do not harm anyone else. “Live and let live.” Libertarians favor drug legalization, gay marriage, free trade, free-market health-care, elimination of campaign financing and gun control laws. On economic issues, elimination of Internal Revenue Code, Social Security, income taxes, company bail outs. Opposes taking money from individuals who know how best to spend it and give it to a far away elitists who thinks they know how to spend it better. Basically government should stay as far away as possible from social and economic issues.
ANARCHY/(CHAOS)
Anarchy can’t be put on the scale because it can appear on both the left and right. With no government, society reverts to survival of the strongest. It could happen on the right if government was so weak that it could not protect the citizens from bad people or countries. It could happen on the left if as in the French and Russian Revolution, the people took over the government and chaos reigned. Typically a totalitarian leader arises out of the chaos.
FACISM/ALT RIGHT
Fascism cannot be put on the scale above because it is opposed to many of the Left/Right philosophies. They oppose pluralism, tolerance, individualism, democracy and the idea of natural rights. A key element is a “national rebirth” reference to a glorious past but don’t call for a return to it. Appeals to collective emotions over reason. Fascists reject communism and socialism but do favor a strong state role in the economy. Corporatism are strong elements in their economy. The fascist utopia would see the state as all powerful and the population as homogeneous. They opposes multiculturalism, multi-religious and multiracial society. The Alt right fits in pretty well with this group except they do not have a economic message and want to return to America run by white males in the 1950’s.
PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION
Negative rights-Govt. prevented from interfering in the exercise of your rights. Positive rights- Govt. must provide something for you to exercise your rights.
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY-The doctrine that sovereign power is vested in the people and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of such power, must exercise it in conformity with the general will.
LIMITED GOVERNMENT- Is defined as a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that were established by the Constitution. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution limited the federal government to certain enumerated powers and retained for the states and/or the people all powers not enumerated.
SEPARATION OF POWERS-Division of responsibilities to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The federal government is divided into three branches: legislative(make the laws) an executive(administer laws passed by legislature) and a judiciary(reviews laws that are passed and signed)
CHECKS AND BALANCES- It was the idea that each branch of government had systems to check each others powers by passing or stopping laws. Therefore it would balance the government. Staggered terms, veto/override powers, judicial appointments made by executive and confirmed by Senate, judicial review. The states were intended to check the federal government.
JUDICIAL REVIEW- The idea that the actions of the legislative and executive branch are subject to review by the judicial branch. Laws can be invalidated or disapproved.
REPUBLIC- System where citizens vote for government representatives to handle legislation and governing the country on their behalf. It is the opposite of direct democracy, where the public gets to vote on laws to be passed.
FEDERALISM- Mode of government, combining a central government with state governments in a single political system. Each entity had powers delegated to it or reserved for it.
“Beware of the greed hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry”- Thomas Paine
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic”- Benjamin Franklin
“To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare the others, who, or whose father, have not exercised equal industry and skills, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.”- Thomas Jefferson
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