Political Ideologies

What is an ideology? Ideology: A collection of ideas; a way of looking at things. There are many different kinds of ideologies: political, social, ethical, and so on. A political ideology is a doctrine that explains how the society should works Offers the blueprint for a certain social order. A political ideology offers a way to allocate power and what ends it should work towards Contains ethical – moral - values and beliefs in the character of humankind

Political Spectrum Traditionally, political scientists have used the terms “left” and “right” to distinguish different economic, political and social views. People and political parties could be placed on this “political spectrum”. Left Right --------------------------------------------------------------------

What are the Social Values of the “Left” and the “Right”? tends to value “social freedom” Government should play a larger role in people's lives (social services, benefits) Law and order are important but their purpose is to protect rights of all citizens fairly and equally More rights for individuals and less power for the police / military THE RIGHT… Tends to value “social responsibility” Tradition is important and change should be treated with caution Emphasis of law and order to protect society and its traditions Less freedom to individuals and more power to police

What are the ECONOMIC values of the “Left” and the “Right”? The LEFT VALUES “Economic equality” e.g. ~ spend more on social programs ~ more government involvement in the economy ~ higher taxes ~ fights against inequality which capitalism causes The RIGHT VALUES “Economic freedom” e.g. ~ spend less on social programs ~ less government involvement in the economy (“laissez faire”) ~ lower taxes ~ accepts the inequality which capitalism causes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Left Centre Right COMMUNISM FASCISM SOCIALISM CONSERVATIVISM LIBERALISM CAPITALISM GREEN LIBERALS CONSERVATIVES NDP

Political Quadrants More recently, political scientists have added another axis to the political spectrum. Horizontal axis = economic philosophy Vertical axis = political/social philosophy

Political Quadrants Authoritarian Left Libertarian Right

Totalitarianism Citizens are totally subject to the government Involves constant indoctrination by propaganda to eliminate any potential for opposition – often uses secret police to enforce state beliefs An extreme form of dictatorship. Often involves state control of television, radio, and other media to make their presence felt or the creation of a vast cult of personality

Capitalism Refers to economic practices involving the use and importance of wage labor The buying and selling goods is meant to happen in a relatively free (from state control) market. Private ownership is encouraged

Communism Advocates for the direct and communal control of society Based on the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ book “The Communist Manifesto” (1848) The end goal is to have a classless/equal society All property is to be owned by the community as a whole and all people enjoy equal social and economic status Marx said that the bourgeoisie (upper class) is to be replaced by the proletariat (working class) through violent revolution Once the proletariat is in control, they will take the wealth from the bourgeoisie and redistribute it equally Eventually the need for government will disappear and people will manage themselves

Conservatism Typically involves opposition to rapid change in governmental and societal institutions and emphasizes tradition. Calls for maintaining traditional values, especially religious and nationalistic values and traditional social norms. Economically opposed to government, debt, excessive government spending, and taxation. Can often support business and corporate interests  Generally associated with the following views: Personal responsibility. Opposition to "big government" policies or state economic interventionism. Anti-communism. Support for strong law enforcement and strong penalties for crimes. Restraint in taxation and regulation of businesses. Support for a strong military, and well-defended protected borders with regulated immigration. Support for drug prohibition. Opposition to (or support for lessening) state-run social programs (welfare and medical care).  

Fascism The name comes from fascio, which may mean, "bundle", as in a political or militant group or a nation, but also from the fasces (rods bundled around an axe), which were an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of magistrates. Places nation and often race above the individual Uses violence, propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition Engages in severe economic and social control, and promotes nationalism and sometimes racism (ethnic nationalism). Ideology of negativism: anti-liberal, anti-Communist, anti- democratic, etc. Historically has combined elements of corporatism, totalitarianism, nationalism, and anti-communism.

Liberalism Claims individual liberty as one of the highest values in social life. Emphasizes the importance of the individual in social life, and argues for democracy and the separation of church and state. Typically insists on free trade, and breaking up economic monopolies, Does not want the government to meddle unnecessarily in the marketplace But is willing to use a mixed economy in order to reach the goals of social justice and equality.

Socialism Emphasize economic cooperation over economic competition Advocates working class interests, even at the expense of property rights of the wealthy classes. Often advocates some level of government control of the economy Can allow for production and distribution to be almost entirely owned by the state Often supports a Mixed Economy, combining regulated free market capitalism and a limited state ownership social security environmental regulation labor regulation public education health care public utilities Most democratic countries, including Canada, have mixed economies. It is nearly impossible to have pure capitalism (the government regulates nothing) or pure socialism (the government runs everything), but the term mixed economy is generally used when an economy has reasonably significant portions of both socialism and capitalism.