Introduction to the Political Spectrum

Imagine a ruler in front of you.  

On the far right of the ruler - instead of the number one - you see "No Government Involvement at all."  We'll put all the Anarchists there.   This is the absence of government - the so-called state of nature - which actually isn't very pleasant but fortunately not very likely. Once you get two people together - they are either killing each other - or one dominates the other - and bingo - you've got government.  

On the far left it reads "Total Government Involvement."  We can put the Commune, or Communists there.  Here government not only controls all aspects of human activity, but owns all the property as well.  This complete control of government wouldn't be very pleasant either, but fortunately doesn't seem very likely either.

Most people - if given the choice between the two extremes would select none-of-the-above if that remained an option.  Fortunately we have more choices along the continuum between no government and omni-present government.  It is a perpetual balancing act and often the real marginal fight between Conservatives and Liberals.  The trick is, according to commentator Bill Whittle, to find the sweet spot with just enough government with the right amount of freedom.

Liberals tend to be slightly closer to the "more" government side of the ruler, while Conservatives tend to be closer to the "less" side of government.  This is an oversimplification, but for now, it is where we will start.