1. Social 30-1 30-2: Lesson 2 What is Ideology?
After this lesson you should be able to:
Define beliefs and ideology
Describe the purpose of Government.
Identify problems with Ideology and Government
Describe the function of government
Evaluate the success of government

2. Belief & Ideology
A belief is something that we firmly believe to be true, valuable, and desirable. Our set of beliefs can be called an ideology
An ideology is a systematic set of beliefs that provides a group of people with a picture of the world that they believe to be true.

3. Ideologies may include:
Assumptions about human nature and society
ex. Man is generally good. Humans are happiest when they are free
An interpretation of history Ex. Karl Marx – human conflict a result of class struggle between rich and poor.
An explanation of today and a vision for the future. Ex. Marx – eliminate class struggle for a better future -> utopia
A way to achieve UTOPIA (the perfect world).
Heroes, rituals, and sacred documents.
Methods of gaining converts (new members).

4. Our values are based on our deeply held beliefs
Various Beliefs =
Various Ideologies

5. Talking Point: Do we need a Government?
Originally, mankind had no formal government. People lived in small groups (generally families) in order to improve their Security, that is safety and freedom from worry.
Extension questions:
What are the problems with beliefs and ideologies?
(What does a dog see? What does a Cat see? What is the problem?)
If one government sets up in one Geographical areas what is going to happen elsewhere?

6. Philosophies of our Need for Government
Thomas Hobbes (16th C.)
-Man is naturally selfish and
always wants a better life.
-Man needs a stable gov’t to
prevent anarchy (man is bad)
-Gov’t must be backed by force (military)
-Man surrenders individual rights
to have a stable gov’t

7. John Locke (17th C.)
-Man is by nature a good and moral being
-Gov’t is needed to protect man’s
rights and freedoms and to decide
disputes (prevent violence)
-Gov’t must be backed by
the majority of those governed.

8. Jacques Rousseau (18th C.)
-Man is neither bad nor good
-Man becomes better than animals
only by living in a society  society is more valued than the individual
-Society needs gov’t in order to
be protected and have freedom
-Gov’t is backed by the common good
-Good of society is enforced at the
cost of individuals.

9. Government: 1. The administration of public policy by a political unit
2. The process of governing.
Governing is the procedure used to control the actions or behavior of people by guiding or directing them.
POLITICS
Does this government do what it says it will?
Are we happy with what government aims to provide?
The process of reaching decisions
An attempt by individuals and groups to protect and promote their security.
The policies, goals, or affairs of a government or of the groups or parties involved in it.

10. Social 30/33: Lesson 2 POLITICAL SYSTEMS IDEOLOGY and Government
After this lesson you should be able to:
Define beliefs and ideology
Describe the purpose of Government.
Identify problems with Ideology and Government
Describe the function of government
Evaluate the success of government