Ideologies Flashcards
What is a political ideology
a political ideology is a certain set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order.
A very basic definition for liberalism
A political ideology based on liberty and equality
Core themes of Liberalism
- Individual liberty
- Moral equality
- Limited government (but not necessarily small)
- Free market
Two main types of liberalism
- Social/welfare liberals
- Classical liberals
Social/welfare liberals
Positive liberty. Qualifications to the free market are necessary, government should have a larger role. Looks to Victorian Britain as an example. Redistributive state. Progressive taxation.
Classical liberals
Negative liberty. Limited government, a necessary evil – external defence, internal law and public provision where private has no incentive.
Historical development of Liberalism
Opposite of medieval order (Religious conformity, ascribed status)
Protestant reformation (Importance of individual conscience)
English civil war (Charles the first wanted to collect tax, as did parliament. Gave rise to Hobbes’s Leviathan)
The American revolution (Common Sense by Thomas Pain. Natural rights. Government violating the social contract).
French Revolution (Religious conformity, aristocratic privilege and political absolutism)
Liberal view of human nature
Primarily self-interested and competitive
But rational.
Social Democracy definition
A political ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and capitalist economy.
Core themes of socialism
Community (Comrade)
Cooperation (Opposite of competition, belief that competition fosters selfishness)
Equality (of outcome. Belief that an unequal society breeds resentment)
Class politics
Common ownership (Resources belong to the community)
Four types of socialism
Classical marxist (Communism is the future, emphasis on class conflict)
Revisionist (We can fix capitalism)
Revolutionary (Capitalism can’t be fixed)
Social Democrat (mixed economy, welfare state)
Historical development of socialism (Very basic)
Kick started by the industrial revolution, the creation of the working class
Roots in Germany and Russia.
4 Epochs (Primitive, slavery, feudalism, capitalism, communism)
Socialist view of human nature
Like liberals, socialists believe in rationality and progress.
What is ‘the first way’
Pervasive state intervention
Keynesian demand management
Strong egalitarianism
Welfare state
What is the ‘second way’ (neoliberalism)
Minimal government
Moral authoritarianism
Acceptance of inequality
Welfare state as a safety net
What is the ‘third way’
A third way of doing social democracy
Active civil society
New mixed economy
Equality as inclusion
Positive welfare with individuals and other agencies to contribute
Cosmopolitan nation and democracy
A basic definition of conservatism
A political philosophy that promotes traditional social institutions.
Core themes of conservatism
Identity (belonging, self-respect, recognition)
Tradition
Views human nature as imperfect
Gradual change over revolutions
generational wisdom vs individual knowledge
order and stability
Burke on revolutions
supported the American revolution because it was seen as restoring the traditional rights of Englishmen. Against the French revolution.
Conservative view of human nature
Humans are imperfect
Prefer slow changes rather than revolutions
Wisdom of elders and tradition guide us because we are imperfect.
Definition of nationalism
A political philosophy characterised by the promotion of the interest of a nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintain sovereignty over the homeland.
Developing and maintaining a national identity based on shared social characteristics such as culture, language, religion and a belief in a common ancestry.
Core theme of nationalism
National Identity; especially important, unifying across divisions
Political self-determination: vs being ruled by another nation (colonialism)
Nation-state: vs lesser forms of self determination
Definition of feminism
A group of social theories that advocate the social, political and economic equality between sexes.
Types of feminism
Reformist Revolutionary Separatist Early liberal Socialist
