1. Ideologies

2. Ideologies Discussion Questions What do think when you hear the terms:
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Communism
Nationalism
Write down your responses to each and define each in your own words.
Do you view these as positive or negative?
How should Christians view ideologies?

3. What are Ideologies?
Definition- A set of beliefs and values about how society should be organized.
Ideologies influence the way we think and act as citizens
Ideologies have been and continue to be very influential in our world

4. The Main Ideologies 1) Liberalism 2) Conservatism
3) Socialism and Communism
4) Nationalism
*There are subdivisions and variations within each ideology

5. Liberalism Main Beliefs:
1) Individual Freedom (eg. freedom of speech, religious freedom etc.)
2) Government should not have too much power
3) Equal rights for everyone
4) Government gets its power from the people (Leaders must be elected)

6. Conservatism Main Beliefs:
An ideology that wants to keep society as it is
Keep things the way they are helps society to remain stable and structured (eg. Monarchy)
Any change that is made must be thought through carefully
Modern day conservatives support many of the points of liberalism

7. Socialism and Communism
Main Beliefs:
1) Government should plan the economy
2) Private ownership of land should be limited (government should own factories, transportation, stores etc)
3) Focus on working class people
4) Everyone should have the same opportunities
5) Government must be very strong and centralized

8. What’s the difference between Socialism and Communism?
The main differences:
Socialists support democratic elections and multiple political parties. They also do not take the main points to the extreme as evident in communism (eg. Reject intimidation and violence)
Communists are against democracy; they support a one party state (country); they will use fear and military force to control their country (violence moves history)

9. Nationalism
Nationalism is a feeling of loyalty and pride towards one’s nation
Many different extremes
Eg. Canadian Men’s and Women’s hockey team both won gold medals at the 2014 Olympics
Eg. Germany under Hitler

10. The Political Spectrum
The political spectrum is a way of placing different beliefs on a horizontal scale with positions of left, centre and right.
The right side of the spectrum is most opposed to change. The left side is most in favour of change.
The spectrum originated in France many years ago. Those most loyal to the king sat to his right. Those who were least loyal to the king sat to his left.

11. The Spectrum and Ideologies
Left ___Centre _ Right
Communism Socialism Liberalism Conservatism Nationalism

12. Canada and Ideologies
In Canada, we are a pluralist society which means we allow different beliefs and values (ideologies) to exist within our country.
However, liberalism is still the most dominant ideology within our country

13. Ideologies and Christianity
When we look at ideologies we have to always remember they have elements of truth but they must never replace the bible
We have to consider what goes against God’s word and what is God honoring
We will not have a perfect ideology or system of government until Christ returns