Political Ideologies

 

Political Ideologies Heywood, Chapter 3 Magstadt, Chapter 2

 

Why study ideologies? 

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Intelligent decisions can only take place when clear aims and goals have been set. Before the mass energy of society can be eectively converted into collective eort, there m!st be a consens!s on where we want to go. "olitical literacy then re#!ires that we know o!r ideologies well$ that is, we know how to think abo!t the public good.

 

The public good  %he p!blic good is e#!ated with the p!blic interest &i.e., common goals that serve the p!blic's welfare(.

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Here the development of political c!lt!re c!l t!re can be seen, as how political orientations event!ally translate into strong political sentiments. )hen these sentiments are arranged into a system of ideas, they become ideologies.

 

Ideology 

*n ideology is a more or less coherent set of ideas that provide a basis for organized political action.

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*ll ideologies therefor therefore+ e+  er an acco!nt of the existing order  in the form of a -world view$ 

desired future, or a "rovide model of a0ociety$ vision ofathe -/ood  !tline how political change can and sho!ld be bro!ght abo!t.

 

Perceptions of ideology 

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*t a f!ndamental level, ideologies resemble political philosophies. *t an operative level, they take the form of broad political movements. -1very nation ridic!les other nations, and all are right.   *rth!r 0chopenha!er

 

Ideologies and the public good 

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)hen political orientations become b ecome more rigid beliefs, and are adopted into a closed and coherent system of ideas, they cease to be part of the general political c!lt!re$ they then become ideologies. It is important to remember, however, that the partic!lar meaning of ideological labels are not the same in every part of the world.  or e4ample, e4ample, conservatism in the 50 is not the same in other states.

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The left and the right 

6eftwing and rightwing ideologies are the 6eftwing two most prominent classi7cations for this system of beliefs. %he only other worthy

classi7cation is whether they th ey are pro or anti government.  %he concept of the left and right originated in the 1!ropean parliamentary practice of seating parties that favor social change to the left of the presiding o8cer, and those who oppose s!ch change to the right.

 

Anti-government ideologies: Anarchism 

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"rogovernment movements are not "rogovernment act!ally considered as -movements, beca!se having a government is the norm in the 7rst place. ideologies are more *ntigovernment worthy of analysis, as they are in fact e4isting and are based on vario!s principles. *narchism  "olitical a!thority in all its forms, especially that of the state, is !nnecessary and evil. 

“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its own government”  1dward *bbey

 

Anti-government ideologies: iberalism!ibertarianism 

6iberalism  *ltho!gh not strictly anti government, liberalists espo!se a perception of the state as being a 

necessary evil.   %his is beca!se they value individual freedom above all else.  rom its origins as a political doctrine against absol!tism or fe!dalism, it grad!ally became a political ideology that aims to champion personal opport!nity and free choice.

 

"lements of iberalism 

Individualism 9 * belief in the s!preme importance of the h!man individ!al. H!man beings are seen primarily as individ!als and

not as part of any gro!p.  #reedom 9 %he freedom of the individ!al is the most important val!e.  $eason 9 %he world can best be !nderstood in a rational way, that is, thro!gh relying on the ability of individ!als to make wise  :!dgments on their own behalf. behalf.

 

"lements of iberalism 

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"%uality 9 Individ!als are born e#!al. %hey have e#!al rights, and are entitled to e#!al opport!nities. %his is not the same as social e#!ality, however. Toleration  9 1ach individ!al sho!ld be allowed to e4press himself, and each view sho!ld be respected.

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&onsent 0ocialon relationships always be 9based consent or sho!ld willf!l agreement.  &onstitutionalism 9 /overnment, being a necessary evil, sho!ld be limited.

 

iberalist traditions 

Classical 9 *n e4treme e4treme form of individ!alism. %he state is viewed with great disdain and governance is seen as an !nwanted intervention. Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. - %homas  %homas "aine

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Modern 9 Characteri;ed by a more sympathetic attit!de towards towards the state, and a less stringent adherence to laissez-faire laissez-faire capitalism.  capitalism.  A party of order or stability, stability, and a party of progress or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy state of political life. 