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Ideologies and Isms: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Introduction to Political Science Kaplan University Dr. Thomason
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Definition of Ideology Anthony Downs definition from Textbook: a verbal image of the good society; and of the chief means of constructing such a society.” Political ideologies are not political science; they are not calm, rational attempts to understand political systems. They are, rather, commitments to change political systems. (An exception is classic conservatism, which aimed to keep things from changing too much.) Ideologues make poor political scientists, for they confuse the “should” or “ought” of ideology with the “is” of political science.
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A Broad Spectrum of Ideologies Classical Liberalism Classical Liberalism Classical Conservatism Classical Conservatism Modern Liberalism Modern Liberalism Modern Conservatism Modern Conservatism Marxist Socialism Marxist Socialism Communism Communism
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Broad Spectrum of Ideologies Nationalism Nationalism Fascism Fascism Feminism Feminism Neoconservatism Neoconservatism Environmentalism Environmentalism Libertarianism Libertarianism
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How do we make sense of these? Freedom vs. Order Freedom vs. Order Freedom vs. Equality Freedom vs. Equality Equality vs. Order Equality vs. Order
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Classical Liberalism Early Enlightenment Thinkers Early Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke, Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine John Locke, Adam Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine The Enlightenment placed heavy reliance on human reason. The Enlightenment placed heavy reliance on human reason.
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Basic Assumptions of Classical Liberalism Assume people are basically good. Assume people are basically good. Role of Government should be limited and only involved in social and economic activity if it was necessary for order. Role of Government should be limited and only involved in social and economic activity if it was necessary for order. Government should be limited by a Constitution, Social Contract, and perhaps a Bill of Rights. Government should be limited by a Constitution, Social Contract, and perhaps a Bill of Rights. Governments that fail to meet their obligations should be overthrown. Governments that fail to meet their obligations should be overthrown. Classical liberals put tremendous faith in human reason and capacity for individuals to make decisions that are moral and good. Classical liberals put tremendous faith in human reason and capacity for individuals to make decisions that are moral and good.
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Classical Conservatism Fundamental disagreements with the Classical Liberals Fundamental disagreements with the Classical Liberals Too Much Emphasis on Human Reason Too Much Emphasis on Human Reason Element of both reason and emotion Element of both reason and emotion According to the text: According to the text: “People are only partly rational; they also have irrational passions. To contain them, society over the years has evolved traditions, institutions, and standards of morality.” “People are only partly rational; they also have irrational passions. To contain them, society over the years has evolved traditions, institutions, and standards of morality.” Doubting these traditions can lead to chaos. Doubting these traditions can lead to chaos.
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Now let’s watch a couple of videos and discuss human nature/human condition Dan Ariely- Professor At Duke University Dan Ariely- Professor At Duke University Book Predictably Irrational: Book Predictably Irrational: Defines the area of study: Defines the area of study: http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=225 http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=225 http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=225 Sexual in nature- just be aware that the discussion has sexual content. We will discuss this as it relates to the ideology assumption above. http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=218 http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=218 http://www.predictablyirrational.com/?page_id=218
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What do both of these videos expose about ideology? Do you agree with Rational Economic guy? Do you agree with Rational Economic guy? Do you agree with Behavioral Economic guy? Do you agree with Behavioral Economic guy?
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Modern Liberalism Ideology favoring government and intervention to correct economic and social ills; US liberalism today. FDR, Woodrow Wilson, Bill Clinton, from The theories of T.H. Green in the nineteenth century. Ideology favoring government and intervention to correct economic and social ills; US liberalism today. FDR, Woodrow Wilson, Bill Clinton, from The theories of T.H. Green in the nineteenth century. Government should play an active role in the economy to promote equality and enhance the ability of the masses to secure greater liberty. Government should play an active role in the economy to promote equality and enhance the ability of the masses to secure greater liberty. Wage and employment law, government regulation of industries, unemployment and health insurance. Wage and employment law, government regulation of industries, unemployment and health insurance.
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Modern Conservatism Essentially the more classical liberal components applied to today’s world. Essentially the more classical liberal components applied to today’s world. And also with some of the old Edmund Burke Conservatism. And also with some of the old Edmund Burke Conservatism.
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Marxist Socialism Focus on rejecting the capitalist system and replacing it with a viable socialist model. Focus on rejecting the capitalist system and replacing it with a viable socialist model. Karl Marx- Das Capital Karl Marx- Das Capital Socialism would be a classless society. Socialism would be a classless society.
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Communism Russian Communism Russian Communism V.I. Lenin V.I. Lenin Revised the Marxist doctrine to fit Russia. Revised the Marxist doctrine to fit Russia. Created a totalitarian regime of government control of industry, society, and religion. Created a totalitarian regime of government control of industry, society, and religion.
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Nationalism Dominant ideology that pervades all sorts of identities. Dominant ideology that pervades all sorts of identities. A people’s heightened sense of identity and unity with their immediate culture. A people’s heightened sense of identity and unity with their immediate culture. Different degrees of nationalism. Different degrees of nationalism.
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Brief History It is thought that nationalism emerged with the development of the modern state and the push for popular sovereignty that came with the French Revolution and the American Revolution in the late 18th century. From that time on, nationalism has become one of the most significant political and social forces in history, perhaps most notably as a major influence or postulate of World War I with Serbian nationalism and especially World War II with fascism and national purity of the Aryan race. It is thought that nationalism emerged with the development of the modern state and the push for popular sovereignty that came with the French Revolution and the American Revolution in the late 18th century. From that time on, nationalism has become one of the most significant political and social forces in history, perhaps most notably as a major influence or postulate of World War I with Serbian nationalism and especially World War II with fascism and national purity of the Aryan race.
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Some Important Moments in Nationalism The French and American Revolutions The French and American Revolutions The events leading up to World War I and Serbian nationalism. The events leading up to World War I and Serbian nationalism. The rise of German nationalism before World War II. The rise of German nationalism before World War II. Post World War II nationalism - Arab nationalism, the founding of modern Israel, African nationalism, and the Vietnam experience. Post World War II nationalism - Arab nationalism, the founding of modern Israel, African nationalism, and the Vietnam experience. Post Cold War - the breakup of Yugoslavia, the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tibetan Autonomy, and the founding of East Timor. Post Cold War - the breakup of Yugoslavia, the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tibetan Autonomy, and the founding of East Timor.
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Nationalism Spin off Terrorism and Al Qaeda- fall in line with the same sense of heightened identity to a group. Terrorism and Al Qaeda- fall in line with the same sense of heightened identity to a group. Nationalism is not tied directly to a specific country or geographic location. Nationalism is not tied directly to a specific country or geographic location. It also is a reaction to globalization. It also is a reaction to globalization.
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