Political Ideologies AP Government Unit 2

Political Ideology What we believe and why Definitions: Comprehensive, integrated set of views about government and politics Plan of action for applying these ideas

1. Our Ideology Comes from Our Political Culture Widely shared beliefs, values and norms concerning relationship of citizens to government and to one another. Name some of the beliefs shared by most Americans….

Did you name these? Liberty Democracy Political Equality Individualism Justice and the Rule of Law Capitalism and Free Enterprise Nationalism, optimism, and idealism “The American Dream”

2. Our Ideology Comes from our Political Socialization Process by which we are taught and develop our individual and collective political beliefs Name some factors that influence our Political Socialization…

Did you name these? Family*** Peers Race and ethnic differences Religious differences Gender Social and economic differences (SES) Sectional/regional differences Media influences Age Can be linked to Historical events (e.g., Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, Watergate, September 11 and War on Terror)

Basic Ideology Disagreements Is Human Nature… Naturally good, cooperative, even perfectible? Inherently flawed, evil, dangerous? Is the Individual more important than the Group? Should we look out for number one? Should we be concerned about our fellow humans?

Many people + Many opinions = Many viewpoints

Overview of Political Ideologies I. Liberalism II. Conservatism III. Socialism IV. Communism V. Fascism VI. Populism VII. Libertarianism Raphael’s “The School of Athens”

The Classic Political Spectrum

I. Liberalism Classical Liberalism Desire for free, open, tolerant society Humans are rational and able to recognize and promote self-interest Limited role of government. “That government is best which governs least.” Government was seen as chief threat to liberty. Theory of government to protect property rights. Liberty and equality of opportunity John Stuart Mill

Basic Tenets of Classic Liberalism Social conditions are result of individual choices and actions Societies work best when individuals are free to do as they wish without harming or violating rights of others

Modern Liberalism New Deal helped to expand role of government Theory of government is to protect people’s well-being. Need for strong central government to “smooth out the rough edges of capitalism.” Corporations seen as chief threat to liberty. Government role  provide opportunity for all citizens Favor using government to: Reduce economic inequalities Champion rights of disadvantaged Tolerate more diverse range of social behaviors Finance social welfare programs with higher taxes on rich

The New (?) Left “Neo-liberals” Late 20th century and 21st century Believe that government certainly has some role to play, but not as big a role as desired by New Deal liberals. Need to get back to more individualism and less reliance on big government. Discrediting of liberalism in 1980’s and 1990’s: Feeling that liberalism has “gone too far.” Less likely to rely upon government as solution to problems.

Neoliberalism To help accomplish this, neoliberalism requires removal of various controls deemed as barriers to free trade, such as: Tariffs Regulations Certain standards, laws, legislation and regulatory measures Restrictions on capital flows and investment

Neoliberalism Essentially about making trade between nations easier. Neoliberal states guarantee, by force if necessary, "proper functioning" of markets Where markets don’t exist (ex: in use of land, water, education, health care, social security, or environmental pollution), then state should create them. Freer movement of goods, resources and enterprises in a bid to always find cheaper resources to maximize profits/efficiency.

II. Classic Conservatism Learn from the past Custom and tradition as ‘latent wisdom’ Look to the past?? Freedom and order Focused on conserving existing social order Organic or unrefined view of society Belief in human imperfection Acceptance of inequality Edmund Burke

Modern Conservatives Generally … distrust government have greater faith in private enterprise and free markets BUT…are willing to use government to enforce traditional moral standards. Favor larger military and more assertive pursuit of national self-interest. Advocate lower taxes to stimulate growth and to restrict government’s capacity to finance social welfare programs.

Modern Conservatism Reversal of liberal trend of 1930’s to look to government as solution to our problems. Emphasis today on private sector to solve problems. Resurgence since late 70’s:   Strength in formerly “solid South.” Reagan/Bush/GHW Bush Republican control of Senate 1980-86, 1994-2000, and 2002-2006. Republican Congresses 104th, 105th, 106th, 108th, 109th, 112th and 113th House, 114th

Extreme “New” Right More extreme conservatives Sometimes called Neo-Conservatives and the New Right John Birch Society 3 types of Neo-Cons Foreign policy neo-conservatives Social policy neo-conservatives Economic neo-conservatives

Neo Conservatives Foreign policy neo-conservatives United Nations Want to promote U.S. interests abroad and spread democracy Interventionists who want to defend national interest, wary of any “New World Order,” and wary of international organizations like United Nations World Trade Organization International Monetary Fund World Bank NAFTA Social policy neo-conservatives Emphasize social issues like prayer in school, anti-abortion, anti-homosexuality. Sometimes known as “Religious Right.” Economic neo-conservatives Want to unleash market forces to attack various ills in society. “If we just cut taxes and free up the free enterprise system everything will improve.

Far Left AND Far Right U.S. neo-conservatives, with their commitment to high military spending and global assertion of national values, tend to be more authoritarian than hard right. By contrast, neo-liberals, opposed to such moral leadership and ensuing demands on tax payer, belong to further right but less authoritarian region. Paradoxically, "free market", in neo-con parlance, also allows for large-scale subsidy of military-industrial complex, considerable degree of corporate welfare, and protectionism when deemed in national interest. These viewed by neo-libs as impediments to unfettered market forces that they champion. -About the Political Compass, January 6, 2004

III. Socialism Means of production are owned and controlled by all of society (managed by the government). Belief that Economic Equality creates ‘True Equality’ System in which means of production, distribution, and exchange are controlled by government. [But there is still a mixture of private ownership of businesses!] Strong impact upon Western Europe. Many Americans associate it with radicalism Americans have a strong belief in individualism Is this the Welfare State or the Perfect Society?

Socialism How society should be run exactly and how it should be implemented or achieved is a matter of controversy Marxist theory: also refers to society that would “succeed or supplant capitalism, and would later develop further into communism, as the necessity for the socialist structure would wither away” Robert Owen British capitalist turned socialist who Founded “socialist colony” in New Harmony, IN

IV. Communism Communism refers to a “conjectured, future, classless, stateless, social organization based upon common ownership of the means of production” Establishment of communism viewed as culmination of class struggle between capitalist class (owners of capital) and working class.

Marx’s Theory of Historical Progression Karl Marx Theory Karl Marx Communist society Marx envisioned emerging from capitalism has never been implemented Remains theoretical Communism Capitalism Feudalism Slave-based Empires Primitive Communism

V. Fascism Belief that society should triumph over individual Characteristics of Fascism Hypernationalism/Racism Nation/People as determining identity Elitism Rejection of Democracy Militarism Mussolini Slogan: credere, obbediere, combattere (Believe, obey, fight) Hitler and Mussolini

VI. Populism “Average Joe” or “Jane” Can be traced back to politicians trying to connect to common people Today’s Populism Conservative on social issues Strong on family issues Pro-Life issues and Prayer in school Liberal on economic issues Watch out for “little guy” and his wages Stand up to “corporate America” Corporations should be monitored and closely watched Government regulations necessary

VII. Libertarianism Extreme emphasis on individual liberty. Extreme cutback on role of government. Look to Constitution and Bill of Rights Liberal on social issues Government should not be involved in social issues No drug laws But some pro-choice some pro-life Conservative on economic issues Believe that government should only defend nation. Lower taxes No public education No need for much of bureaucracy

Another Political Spectrum

Yet Another Political Spectrum

And a Final Political Spectrum