Introduction to the Political Spectrum in the US
Note: Positions are not always consistent - particularly on social vs. economic issues!
 
Left
 
Right
Labels
Progressives/Liberals
Conservatives -
Neoliberals
Neo-Conservatives (Neo-Cons)
Libertarians
Religious Right
 
Concerns for equality, social justice, and the environment
For free market economy, limited government, American cultural values
Fiscal conservatives
seek balanced budget -
Neoliberals stress market- based solutions, private enterprise and tax breaks
Nationalists
Argue for strong military, including doctrine of pre-emptive war, to support American interests
Individual rights-
limited gov't - support privatization, i.e., market-based health care, welfare/ entitlement programs
Authoritarian
"Moral Majority" - Want State mandated ban on abortion, right to life, teach morality and creationism in schools
 
Think Tanks
and other
Political Websites
Center for American Progress
Campaign for
America's Future
MoveOn.ORG
Moving Ideas
(formerly EPN)
TomPaine.com
The Meatrix
.
 
Heritage Foundation
 
Institute for International Economics
American Enterprise
Institute
 
The Hoover Institution
 
The Hudson Institute
The Cato Institute
 
Manhattan Institute
 
Christian Coalition of America
 
Magazines
American Prospect
Mother Jones
 
The National Review
http://www.nationalreview.com/
The Public Interest http://www.thepublicinterest.com/
The CATO Journal
http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal
/currentissue.html
 
 
Selected Independent Policy Think Tanks (dealing with Public Policy)
 
Brookings Institution - http://www.brookings.edu/default.htm
 
Commonwealth Fund - http://www.cmwf.org/index.htm
 
     
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