1. Political Ideologies

2. Some things to think about
Four Purposes of a Government
Maintain Social Order
Provide Public services
Provide Security
Maintain the Economy
Fundamental Values and ideological conflict
Liberty vs. order
Equality vs. liberty

3. American Political Ideologies
Conservatism
Liberalism
Restrained Government, active community and private institutions
Individualism
Federalist (states rights)
Associated with business interests
Higher Military spending
Isolationist; strong national defense
Government actively protects social values
Pro-Life
Higher religiosity, Pro-Life
Active government agencies and institutions
Social Welfare Programs
Nationalist Position
Associated with labor interests
Lower military spending
Global cooperation and intervention
Little government interference in society
Pro-Choice
Lower religiosity, Pro-Choice

4. Other Ideologies

5. On the Right: Classical Liberalism (libertarianism?)
Reaction to Monarchy: Locke and Smith
Belief in Individual liberty and private property
Limited Government Interference in the Economy – Laissez Faire
Autonomy given to private firms
Little to no regulation or taxation
Off Shoots: Democratic Capitalism, Imperialism, Welfare State Capitalism

6. On the Left: Socialism Karl Marx: Communist Manifesto
Natural Progression of Things: Critique of Capitalism
“From each according to his ability, to according to his need.”
Democracy of the Common man, no class distinctions
State control of means of production, Equal distribution of societal goods
Off shoots: Democratic Socialism, Communism, the welfare state

7. Totalitarianism Communism: Revolutionary Socialism
Consolidates politics into one party rule
Aims to carry out Marxist policies through central planning
Fascism: Post-capitalist Corporatism “Everything for the state, nothing against the state, no one outside the state” - Mussolini
Key Features: Ultra-Nationalism/Statism; one party rule; militarism; corporatism
Propaganda: selling the ideology, cult of personality
Opposition and undesirables subjugated by secret police
Islamism: Theocratic Fascism
Sharia law: has absolute priority over democracy and universal human rights
Jihad as means to re-establish the Caliphate

8. Influences on American Political Ideology
Realism – Core Assumptions:
Human nature inherently bad, Progress not possible through cooperation (Hobbes)
Main Actors: States, Governments
Belief in constant state of Anarchy; states must fend for themselves
World as a competition for power: Zero-Sum Game
War as inevitable: legitimate statecraft
Liberalism – Core Assumptions:
Human nature inherently good, Progress through education and democracy
Main Actors: Individuals and groups
Anarchy controlled through institutions and laws
Focus on cooperation and welfare: world as Positive-Sum Game
War the result of flawed institutions