IDEOLOGY

The role of ideas in politics How Ideology Influences Politics… What people think and believe about society, power, rights, etc. determines their actions 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…

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: Keep it OR Change it. At the core of every political idea, every political action is a choice between YES or NO…and then reason why you made that choice helps to explain one’s political ideology. 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?

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 on various topics.

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 The Left is: Radical – goes to the roots of problems, changes the foundations of society – wants to advance the interests of society against the interests of elites The Centre is: – Borrows ideas from Left and Right and might side with one more than the other dependent on the issue.

STOP HERE!!!

Political spectrum: the circular model THE LEFT: change, freedom, equality, labour THE RIGHT: status quo, order, inequality/fairn ess, 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