IDEOLOGY

The role of ideas in politics How Ideology Influences Politics… What people think and believe about society, power, rights, etc., determines their actions Everything has to pass through the mind before a person acts How do ideas and beliefs appear in our minds? Critical examination of reality – thinking for oneself Influence of others’– family, community, education, mass media, etc. Some forms of teaching imprison the mind Others liberate the mind, enabling it to think critically…

2 Central Concepts Political culture – the broad pattern of political orientations shared by a large group of people (a nation, a region, a social class, an ethnic group, etc.) Political ideology – a system of political ideas, developed for the purposes of political action (governing a country, launching a social movement or a political party, organizing a revolution – or a counterrevolution, etc.)

What are political ideologies for? To provide people with programs of political action that will govern societies or ultimately lead to change For integration or conflict, you need an ideology – a coherent set of ideas for purposeful action The earliest ideologies were religions. Many of the earliest rulers in history were priests. In the Modern Age, political ideologies have become increasingly secular (non-religious, some anti-religious), but religion still continues to serve as an important source for ideology

So, What is Politics All About? The very essence of political ideology is to differ from another ideology on what to do concerning the status quo (the existing order of things): Keep it OR Change it. At the core of every political idea, every political action is a choice between YES or NO. The differences between all ideology is rooted in basic assumptions about: Human Nature – are humans naturally peaceful, cooperative, rational? Individual vs Society: which interests come first? Equality: Should individuals be equal & how much social inequality is acceptable?

Orthodoxy vs. Pluralism At issue: Orthodoxy vs. Pluralism Orthodoxy (pre-modern view linked to conservatism): is traditional in nature, the rulers maintains one ideology as dominant – to foster unity and harmony in society. (Political Right) UNITY THROUGH UNIFORMITY Can work only: in traditional, pre-modern societies – or, in societies in transition to modernity, in periods of extreme crisis. Requires generally low educational levels

Pluralism Pluralism (modern view linked to liberalism): the rulers allow different ideologies in society to compete. (Political Left) UNITY THROUGH TOLERATION OF DIFFERENCES “E pluribus unum” Works better in developed, modern and complex societies with high educational levels Are there limits to toleration? Should some ideologies be banned? Is there such a thing as liberal orthodoxy?

Political Spectrum: From Left to Right Political ideologies, through opposition, competition, fusion, mixing, etc. exist in constant interaction with each other Together, they form a political spectrum. This political spectrum is useful as a tool of political analysis, i.e. to gauge our political views

Far Left Centre- Left Centre Centre-Right Far Right The Political Spectrum

The Spectrum in a Nutshell The Right is: Conservative – preserves the status quo, opposes change Reactionary – reacts to change w/ force, invested in the old order Fascist – gov maintains control, suppresses pluralism to achieve unity through orthodoxy The Left is: Radical – goes to the roots of problems, changes the foundations of society Socialist – advances the interests of society against the interests of elites Communist – abolishes private property to achieve equality and social harmony, suppresses pluralism to achieve unity through orthodoxy The Centre is: Liberal – expands the scope of freedom, accepts change, asserts the primacy of individual rights, borrow ideas from Left and Right

Far Left Centre- Left Centre Centre- Right Far Right Political spectrum: the standard linear model Socialists Liberal Conservatives Ultraconservatives Communists Liberals Conservatives Fascists Radicals Reactionaries

STOP HERE!!!

AuthoritarianismDemocracy Market State Inequality Equality

Political spectrum: the circular model, based on Clinton Rossiter THE LEFT: change, freedom, equality, labour THE RIGHT: status quo, order, inequality, capital FASCISM COMMUNISM CONSERVATISM LIBERALISM the state, war the market, trade

There are several different ways to cut this pie…

Fascism (National socialism) Welfare state liberalism Social democracy Democratic socialism Reform communism (market socialism) Totalitarian communism Neoliberalism Neoconservatism Traditional conservatism Ultraconservatism Red - socialism White - capitalism Socialism vs. capitalism

Fascism (National socialism) Welfare state liberalism Social democracy Democratic socialism Reform communism (market socialism) Totalitarian communism Neoliberalism Neoconservatism Traditional conservatism Ultraconservatism White – elitist (discourage popular participation in politics) Red – populist (mobilize the masses) Elitism vs. populism

Fascism (national socialism) Welfare state liberalism Social democracy Democratic socialism Reform communism (market socialism) Totalitarian communism Neoliberalism Neoconservatism Traditional conservatism Ultraconservatism White – reject liberal democracy Red – support liberal democracy For or against liberal democracy