Political Ideologies and Political Theory Pols 341 Douglas Brown 2013

Political Ideologies and Governing Parties What is ideology? How is it different from political theory Broad ideological categories Political Labels in Canada Comparing labels, ideologies and theories

The role of ideology and theory Ideology: sets of ideas about politics that focus on the goals of a political community (or segment of a community) and its underlying values and interests Theory: sets of ideas and concepts about the study of politics that provide overall explanations: e.g. empirical generalizations, models, critical alternatives

Johnson’s “Competing ideologies” Textbook, chapter 2 Three main ideological strands:  Conservatism  Socialism  Liberalism “The triumph of the Liberal centre”

Schools of Theory (General Political Science) Pluralism  Neo-pluralism  New Right Elite Theory (or Managerialism)  Neo-institutionalism Marxist / Class analysis  Neo-marxist

Pluralist Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the plural demands, values and interests of society, in which the State responds to, and takes shape from, competing and changing social demands. Pluralist theory in political science puts major emphasis on the role of the individual; the state tends to be implied only. Rational choice is an important hybrid of this theory.

Elite Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the structure and interests of the State, including its office- holders, and while the State responds to society demands, it has interests and values of its own. Elite theory puts the major emphasis on organization, leadership, decision-making. A hydrid of elite theory is “neo-institutionalism, which sees institutions as vital but embedded in society.

Class Analysis Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the competition among class (i.e. primarily economically determined) interests and the State is seen as captured by the dominant class in society. Class theory in political science puts major emphasis on the role of capitalism, class hegemony and conflict. Neo-marxism is a class analysis hybrid that grants “relative autonomy” to the State.

Some queries about ideology… What are “tories” and do they still exist? So what is meant by “neo-conservative” and “neoliberal”? Who are the real radicals and who is the “establishment”? Does left-right still have any meaning? What is identity politics/ green politics…and how does it fit in the categories?

Some queries about party labels Are New Democrats just “Liberals in a hurry”? What was the difference between Reform and the Progressive Conservatives? Is the new Conservative party a successful coalition? What are the ideological divisions in the Liberal party? Do party labels mean the same thing at the federal and provincial level ?

Conclusions Ideology matters, but party labels don’t always capture the ideology Ideology is always in tension with pragmatism and caution, especially for a governing party or one that really wants to govern Theory about politics/public admin is influenced by ideologies, but the two can take separate tracks Public admin analysis includes being clear about underlying ideals, beliefs, and assumptions about those who exercise power.

Discussion Exercise In the January 2009 Budget the Harper government announced a number of measures related to restoring the economy (see next slide). In light of all of the political and economic factors at the time, discuss: 1. which theory of state action best explains the outcomes 2. whether the Budget 2009 was an illustration of pragmatic politics or of ideology?