Final answer:
Political ideologies on the left prioritize equality, including liberalism, socialism, and communism, while ideologies on the right emphasize control, including conservatism, authoritarianism, and fascism. Moderates seek to find a balance between these extremes, and the U.S. political system contains elements of both socialism and capitalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The core values of the left and the right refer to a range of political ideologies that can be placed on a spectrum, which helps to compare their priorities when it comes to governance and society. Left-wing ideologies in the United States traditionally prioritize equality and can include perspectives such as communism, socialism, and liberalism. Meanwhile, right-wing ideologies emphasize control and include fascism, authoritarianism, and conservatism. Those who identify with moderate ideologies fall in the middle of the spectrum, seeking a balance between the two extremes.
The center right, often associated with the contemporary Republican Party, draws its ideas from classical liberalism, exhibiting moderate economic libertarianism and moderate social conservatism. Advocates for the center right prioritize individual rights and the promotion of a capitalist economy, valuing personal freedom as developed in the philosophy of John Stuart Mill. In contrast, the center left may support government intervention and social reform, showing concern for issues like government-sponsored health care and programs for minorities.
It is important to understand that political ideologies are not binary, and many political systems, including that of the U.S., possess aspects of both socialism and capitalism. This mixture can sometimes lead to alignments that defy traditional categorizations, such as conservatives who favor environmental protection aligning more with left-wing values.