Political Spectrum
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 2.4.2
The Political Spectrum
The political spectrum helps explain where politicians, parties and policies fall relative to each other.
Explaining the spectrum
- A political spectrum is a way of displaying the ideological positions of political parties relative to others across an axis which ranges from left wing to right wing.
Left wing
- Describes those who want to change how society works and reform society.
- Includes a range of beliefs, such as socialists who are further to the left, and want to criticise capitalism and the free-market.
- Includes more centre-left people who wish to reform rather than remove capitalism.
Right-wing
- Describes people who support the status quo and order in society.
- Believe hierarchy is important.
- Support private property.
Test yourself on Political Spectrum
"People who support the status quo and order in society"
Which side of the political spectrum is being described?