Political Ideologies Flashcards
Difference between ideology and ideologies?
Ideology is a particular type of political thought, whereas ideologies is a collection of different thoughts (and often thus considering multiple, rather than subscribing to one)
Ignoring the contention that surrounds the definition of ideology, what is a simple definition of ideology?
A political belief system or an action-orientated set of political ideas
More or less a coherent set of ideas that provides the basis for organised political action
What is ideological hegemony?
One set of political and social ideas prevailing, and thus becoming the main set of ideas in the current times
Difference between descriptive and normative thought?
A descriptive statement gives an account of how the world is without saying whether that’s good or bad. A normative statement expresses an evaluation, saying that something is good or bad, better or worse, relative to some standard or alternative.
How do most people talk about the political spectrum?
Using the poles of left and right, enabling people to talk about a linear political spectrum
In terms of political change, how have left and right traditionally been perceived?
Left-wing thinking welcomes change, usually based on a belief in progress, while right-wing thinking resists change and seeks to defend the status quo.
Thought the lens of political change, how can conservatives view of reducing public debt be viewed?
Right-wing thinking is shaped by an aversion to uncertainty and instability. Therefore, conservatives traditionally view reducing public debt as reducing uncertainty and instability.
Other than political change, what economic attitudes characterise the left and the right?
Left wing thinkers support intervention and collectivism, while right-wing thinkers favour the market and individualism
In terms of equality, how can left and right wing thinkers be characterised?
Left favour equality, whilst right think of equality as impossible or undesirable
What are some common issues with trying to place ideologies on the traditional political spectrum?
Many ideologies have different characteristics that would be placed at different parts of the political spectrum.
Why are there some arguments that the political spectrum should be horseshoe-shaped rather than linear?
Some extreme gins of the linear spectrum may have more in common with one another than they do with their ‘centrist’ neighbours
What are some examples of classical ideologies?
Liberalism
Conservatisim
Socialism
Nationalism
Anarchism
Fascism
What are some examples of ‘new’ ideologies?
Feminism
Green ideology
Multiculturalism
Islamism
What is a major place that the new ideologies focus on compared to from classical ideologies?
Classical ideologies focus heavily on economics, whereas new ideologies shift and place greater emphasis on culture.
Classical ideologies had their morals grounded in a particular economic model. New ideologies focus more on values, beliefs, and ways of thinking.
What is the central theme of liberalism?
Commitment to the individual and the desire to construct a society in which people can satisfy their interests and achieve fulfilment.
Difference between classical liberalism and modern liberalism?
Classical is characterised by a belief in a minima state, whose function is limited to the maintenance of domestic order and personal security.
In contract, modern liberalism accepts that the state should help people to help themselves.
What is a divine right?
Doctrine that earthly rulers are chosen by God and thus wield unchallengeable authority
What is absolutism?
A form of government in which political power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or small group, in particular, an absolute monarchy
Difference between classical and modern liberalism in the context of state welfare?
Classical wanted to minimise state intervention and therefore would be against state welfare.
However, modern liberalism is associated with welfare provision and economic management
What political ideology most characterises the Western world?
Liberalism
What are the core values of liberalism?
Individualism
Freedom
Reason
Justice
Toleration
What is the difference between negative freedom and positive freedom?
Negative - the absence of external restrictions or constraints on the individual, allowing freedom of choice.
Positive - Self-mastery or realisation; the achievement of autonomy or the development of human capacities.
In the context of freedom, how do liberals and anarchists differ?
Anarchists believe law and government are unnecessary, whereas liberals believe governance is imperative.
Both advocate for freedom, but liberals fear that entirely free individuals may wish to exploit others.
Therefore, liberals believe that a state should protect and stop others from exploiting others, although people should have freedom as long as they comply with laws
How do liberals regard the state in fairness?
Neutral arbiter among the competing individuals and groups within society.
In terms of responsibilities, how do liberals view governments?
Should be a limited government that abides by constitutional constraints, rather than an arbiter government
Define arbitrary government
a. : not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority. an arbitrary government. b. : marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power.
In the context of governance, what is a constitution?
A set of rules that seeks to allocate duties, powers and functions among the various institutions of government.
What is the concept of constitutionalism?
Practice of limited government brought about by the existence of a constitution.
What is a civil liberty?
The private sphere of existence; freedom from government
What is a liberal democracy?
Blending a liberal commitment to limited government with democratic belief that said government should only be their by popular decision
Key features of liberal democracy:
Right to rule is gained through regular and competitive elections
Constraints on government are imposed by a constitution
Civil society that includes private enterprise, independent trade unions, and a free press
What is the definition of feudalism?
the dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord’s land and give him homage, labour, and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection.
