Ideology & The Political Spectrum

What is an Ideology? An organized collection of ideas that form a comprehensive belief system or worldview; An organized collection of ideas that form a comprehensive belief system or worldview; An ideology provides a way of understanding and ordering the world; An ideology provides a way of understanding and ordering the world; Ideologies help people cope with turbulent times and confusing circumstances. Ideologies help people cope with turbulent times and confusing circumstances.

The Four Functions of an Ideology: 1. Ideologies help to explain political phenomena; n Why are there wars? Why are there conflicts between nations, social classes, races? 2. Provide criteria for evaluation; n Help people determine what is right/wrong, good/bad 3. Ideologies help to orient people, n Gives people a sense of who they are and where they belong in society; n Act as a social/cultural compass; 4. Provide a political program for people to follow; n What is to be done? Who is to do it?

Why do ideologies matter? Ideologies are the force that drive people and governments to act. Ideologies are the force that drive people and governments to act. A basic knowledge of the various ideologies will help us to understand why governments and people do the things they do. A basic knowledge of the various ideologies will help us to understand why governments and people do the things they do.

The Political Spectrum Is a way of modeling or visually representing different ideologies and the underlying beliefs these ideologies represent Is a way of modeling or visually representing different ideologies and the underlying beliefs these ideologies represent The terms “left” and “right” are often used to describe an ideology’s position on the spectrum; The terms “left” and “right” are often used to describe an ideology’s position on the spectrum; References to people being on the “right” or “left” can be traced back to the French Revolution, where those deemed "conservative" sat to the right of the legislative assembly and those labeled "liberal" sat to the left. References to people being on the “right” or “left” can be traced back to the French Revolution, where those deemed "conservative" sat to the right of the legislative assembly and those labeled "liberal" sat to the left.

One Example of a Political Spectrum:

Another Example:

Ideologies on the Political Spectrum Radical “Left Wing” Ideologies: Radical “Left Wing” Ideologies: Socialism Socialism Communism Communism “Liberal” Ideologies “Liberal” Ideologies “Classical” Liberalism “Classical” Liberalism Libertarianism Libertarianism Conservative/Reactionary “Right Wing” Ideologies Conservative/Reactionary “Right Wing” Ideologies “Classical” Conservatism “Classical” Conservatism Fascism Fascism

Radical Ideologies Goal: Drastic change, a complete overhaul of the established social order; Goal: Drastic change, a complete overhaul of the established social order; Utopia – an ideal society where everyone is equal and everything is shared Utopia – an ideal society where everyone is equal and everything is shared Values: Values: The community take priority over the individual; The public good over individual rights; The community take priority over the individual; The public good over individual rights; Property should be distributed in such a way as to benefit, not just the wealthy few, but the public at large; Property should be distributed in such a way as to benefit, not just the wealthy few, but the public at large; Condemn the exploitation of one group by another; Condemn the exploitation of one group by another; Critical of capitalism as an economic system and liberalism as an ideology Critical of capitalism as an economic system and liberalism as an ideology

Conservative/Reactionary Ideologies Goal - To conserve (protect/save) traditions or a customary way of life. Goal - To conserve (protect/save) traditions or a customary way of life. Conservatives are resistant to change and want things to stay the way they are; Conservatives are resistant to change and want things to stay the way they are; Reactionaries – want to restore or return to an earlier way of life; an extreme form of conservatism. Reactionaries – want to restore or return to an earlier way of life; an extreme form of conservatism. Values – Values – A person is not merely an individual, but part of a larger whole – the state – and has a duty to other members of society; A person is not merely an individual, but part of a larger whole – the state – and has a duty to other members of society; People cannot be trusted to govern themselves – democracy can lead to chaos and anarchy; People cannot be trusted to govern themselves – democracy can lead to chaos and anarchy; Generally respectful of private property rights. Generally respectful of private property rights.

Moderate “Liberal” Ideologies The word “liberal” derives from the Latin, libre, meaning free. The word “liberal” derives from the Latin, libre, meaning free. Goal – To create and preserve an open and tolerant society, where individuals are free to pursue their own ideas and interests with minimal interference Goal – To create and preserve an open and tolerant society, where individuals are free to pursue their own ideas and interests with minimal interference Values – Values – The individual is given the highest priority; The individual is given the highest priority; All individuals are equal; All individuals are equal; All individuals are born with certain rights – life, liberty and the right to own property All individuals are born with certain rights – life, liberty and the right to own property

The American Political Spectrum The American political system is based on the ideology of “Classical” Liberalism The American political system is based on the ideology of “Classical” Liberalism In the United States, the two major political parties represent two sides of the same ideology: In the United States, the two major political parties represent two sides of the same ideology: “Right wing” Conservatives (usually associated with the Republican Party) and “Right wing” Conservatives (usually associated with the Republican Party) and “Left wing” Liberals (usually associated with the Democratic Party) “Left wing” Liberals (usually associated with the Democratic Party) BUT - We are all Liberals because we all believe in the same principles of individual liberty, equality and private property. BUT - We are all Liberals because we all believe in the same principles of individual liberty, equality and private property.