NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm having trouble figuring out where political ideologies fall on a political spectrum (or indeed what political spectrum to use). I am specifically interested in American Third Parties. My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong, I really want to know) is that (in the technical sense) the Green party is Radical, the Democractic party is liberal, the Reform party is moderate, the Republican party is conservative, and the Constitution party is reactionary. The Libertarian party really falls outside the traditional left-right scale. Is this an appropriate abstration?

Also, is there a major totalitarian third party (now theres an oxymoron). Was the populist party moderately totalitarian?

In America now, Republicans seem to want to change more things than "liberals" do, so perhaps the Reps are reactionary and the liberals are conservative/moderate?

The Political Compass style spectrum IMO is the best one to use, especially when trying to label political parties.

I'd say the biggest third party totalitarian party is probably the alliance party between the fascists and the white supremacists. IDK for sure. But the biggest totalitarian party in the USA is our very own Republican party :(

What I really want to do is program a political simulator with simplified political parties, but with more options than just Republicrat or Democan. I know that modern Republicans are an enigma as far as the Liberal Conservative scale is concerned.

What I really want to do is program a political simulator with simplified political parties, but with more options than just Republicrat or Democan. I know that modern Republicans are an enigma as far as the Liberal Conservative scale is concerned.
There's no enigma here. They are farther right now than Republicans have ever been. Mega-capitalists, authoritarians, and fundmentalists make up their ranks. Not a tough one to call. They may work for change, but that is to undo the change that liberals have done, not change into progressive new ideas.

What I really need to know is is there a third party that is socially conservative and economically liberal? Sort of the opposite of libertarianism.

There might be an authoritarian communist party out there somewhere *shrug* Look it up, I'm sure some website will have the info you need :)

What I really need to know is is there a third party that is socially conservative and economically liberal? Sort of the opposite of libertarianism.


Maybe one of the several US socialist parties?

What I really need to know is is there a third party that is socially conservative and economically liberal? Sort of the opposite of libertarianism.

That is pretty much the definition of the populists, whatever they are calling themselves these days.

So, is the Reform Party really centrist?

So, is the Reform Party really centrist?
the reform party is pretty much gone by. it was formed to be a centrist party mostly interested in balancing the federal budget.

the 3rd parties in the US are very small. they have amost no impact on national politics -- well OK ralph nader did end up being a spoiler in the florida votes for president in '00 but it was only because the bush/gore vote was so amazingly close not because his vote totals were high.

so you can look them up. there are quite a few of them. i recall a big list of candidates on the last presidential ballot but i dont remember what their parties were. im pretty sure the communist party still exists and the socialist workers. since tim mcvey singlehandedly destroyed the militia movement here, i dont think there is any even remotely totalitarian party with any constituency outside of the aryan nation.

What I really need to know is is there a third party that is socially conservative and economically liberal? Sort of the opposite of libertarianism.

the republicans

the republicans
since when?

the libertarians always rail against the democrats first and the republican second and when time come to actually vote, when they dont vote for a libertarian they vote republican.

since when?

the libertarians always rail against the democrats first and the republican second and when time come to actually vote, when they dont vote for a libertarian they vote republican.

since always. or at least since they adopted the southern strategy. the self-delusion of so-called libertarians matters not at all.

Terminology: Left is greater control, right is less control.

Republicans are conservatives. (social left, economic right)
Democrats are liberals. (social right, economic left)
Libertarians are....libertarians! (social right, economic right)
The Constitution Party is for people who don't think the Republicans are conservative enough.
The Green Party is for people who think the Democrats are too conservative.

Terminology: Left is greater control, right is less control.

control of what by who?

control of what by who?

Of the relevant area (economic rights/actions/interactions/behaviors or social r/a/i/b) by the state, the government, or whatever authority-exercising political entity you're talking about.

since always. or at least since they adopted the southern strategy. the self-delusion of so-called libertarians matters not at all.
dont get me started on libertarians or ill have to go into a rant on my real opinion in them, pretty soon ill be deleted for flaming.

we dont want that now do we?

as i was thinking about it i decided it was because of the democratic tendency to support gun control.

the republicans

No, they aren't. The Republicans are conservative; greater social control (social conservative) and lesser economic control (economic conservative or neoliberal). The opposite of a libertarian (social liberal, economic conservative/neoliberal) would be a statist or populist, social conservative and economic liberal (NOT neoliberal). There's not really a populist/statist party in the US.

since when?

the libertarians always rail against the democrats first and the republican second and when time come to actually vote, when they dont vote for a libertarian they vote republican.

It's quite interesting, really.

To the left, you have parties which want great social control, but little personal control. To the right, you have those who want greater personal control, but little social control.

Libertarians want as little control as possible in both ways.

Terminology: Left is greater control, right is less control.

Republicans are conservatives. (social left, economic right)
Democrats are liberals. (social right, economic left)
Libertarians are....libertarians! (social right, economic right)
The Constitution Party is for people who don't think the Republicans are conservative enough.
The Green Party is for people who think the Democrats are too conservative.

It's more conventional to place "conservative" viewpoints, fiscal or social, on the right, and, likewise, "liberal" viewpoints, fiscal or social, on the left.

I'd also like to note that, by 21st century international terms, Democrats are more moderate than liberal.

No, they aren't. The Republicans are conservative; greater social control (social conservative) and lesser economic control (economic conservative or neoliberal).

don't you feel weird making the terms 'economic conservative' and 'neoliberal' be synonyms? wouldn't it be simpler to drop the liberal/conservative exclusive dicotomy in the first place?

in any case, how does one explain all the banning and regulating they like to do then? of porn shops, for example. or drugs. or when and where liquor can be sold. etc.

Terminology: Left is greater control, right is less control.

Republicans are conservatives. (social left, economic right)
Democrats are liberals. (social right, economic left)
Libertarians are....libertarians! (social right, economic right)
The Constitution Party is for people who don't think the Republicans are conservative enough.
The Green Party is for people who think the Democrats are too conservative.
So where do the socialist parties fit into that model?