Lots of Bright Ideas but do they work? Political Ideologies Lots of Bright Ideas but do they work?

What are ideologies? Political ideologies are action orientated written by political thinkers and authors Shape political behaviour 3 elements Description and interpretation of the past Prescription of an ideal Recommendations for strategies

Types of ideology Well there’s the big ones Liberalism Socialism Conservatism Then there’s the others Racism Feminism Greenism etc.

So not relevant in the 21st Century is what you are saying Sir? After all, these authors date back from Socrates, Plato, Machiavelli, Burke, Mill, Marx and Engels. Who are the great 21st Century thinkers? Has pragmatism replaced ideology?

Left and Right Comes from the French Revolution of 1789, refers to the seating plan in the first post-revolutionary Parliament The Communists are on the far-left The fascists on the far right And the Liberals are in the Centre Communists Socialists Liberals Conservatives Fascists

The Political Spectrum is in fact a circle Too Simple Communists The Political Spectrum is in fact a circle Fascists Conservatives Socialists Liberals

Task Draw the Political Spectrum Label all the various parties Mark on your diagram where you think your views lie. Now lets see where what they different ‘isms’ fit…….

LIBERALISM

John Stuart Mill On Liberty

Core Values Individualism Liberty Rationalism Political & Legal Equality

Individualism No such thing as a nation, race or socio-economic class. Individuals do not belong to a group Everyone pursues their own self interest…”what’s in it for me”?

Liberty or Freedom Individuals must be free to pursue their own self interest Freedom of thought Freedom of expression

Rationalism Humans are best judge of their own self interest Rulers, Priests or Civil Servants cannot decide what is best for them Bentham – If everyone followed their own self interest a greater majority would be happy.

Political and Legal Equality Equality before the law Equality of opportunity, but not of outcome

So what do the Liberal Democrats stand for? Retain a characteristic liberal interest in individual rights and civil liberties Liberal Welfare Policies Strong commitment to Constitutional Reform Internationalist, humanitarian interest in foreign affairs

So how liberal are the Liberal Democrats? Not overtly Liberal Tactical rather than ideological approach Do they co-operate or compete with Labour? Hmmm…..