1. What is a political ideology?
Political Ideologies
What is an ideology?
-A way of thinking in relation to your values, beliefs and ideas
What is a political ideology?
-A closely organized system of beliefs, values, and ideas,
forming the basis of a political philosophy

2. Political Ideologies Liberalism Conservatism
Two Major Divisions of Political Ideologies
Liberalism
Conservatism
Individual freedom is the most important political goal
A tendency to support gradual rather than abrupt change
Individuals must be allowed to develop without other individuals, gov’t or business interfering
Policies of wealth accumulation, free market capitalism, free trade.
Citizens are responsible
for their own survival
Supports citizens

3. Political Ideologies: Political Spectrum
LIBERALISM
CONSERVATISM
CENTER
LEFT WING
RIGHT WING
-Larger government
-Smaller government
-More social spending
(humanistic) and higher taxes
-Less social spending and taxes
-Managed economics
-Freer economic policy

4. Political Ideologies: Political Spectrum
Communism
Fascism
Democracy
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
Socialism
Authoritarianism
Liberal
Conservative

5. Communism -Common ownership of the means of production
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
-Absence of classes
-Common ownership of the means of production
-Progressive ideals & desire for change for the people
-Totalitarian control over the economy and people

6. Fascism -Dictatorship -Centralized control of private enterprise
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
-Dictatorship
-Centralized control of private enterprise
Repression of all opposition
-Extreme nationalism (devotion to your own nation)
-Severe restriction of personal freedoms

7. Socialism -People own means of production -Absence of classes
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
Socialism
-People own means of production
-Absence of classes
-Community controls property and the distribution of wealth
-People first, then profits

8. Authoritarianism -Strictness -Obedience is strictly enforced
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
-Strictness
-Obedience is strictly enforced
-Restrictions on personal freedom
-Often Fascist

9. Democracy -Freedom of speech and thought
LEFT WING
CENTER
RIGHT WING
-Freedom of speech and thought
-Free and equal right of every person to participate
-Competitive elections
-Balance of personal and economic freedoms
-Example: Liberal and Conservative parties