Political Ideologies

Question 1

What are the two classical political ideologies?

Answer 1

Liberalism and conservatism.

Question 2

What is liberalism?

Answer 2

Arose out of enlightenment thought - philosophers and early scientists challenged established ways of thinking and the power of the church.

Question 3

What is conservatism?

Answer 3

A reaction toward enlightenment thought aimed at preserving the established order of things, including the authority of the church.

Question 4

What are ideology examples of liberalism?

Answer 4

Individual rights, freedom of speech, economic freedom, equality of opportunity, linear concept of progress (change is good), multiple identities.

Question 5

What are ideology examples of conservatism?

Answer 5

Tradition and social order, social hierarchy, one religion, morality, respect for authority, nationalism, dominant language and culture, group solidarity (opposed to excessive individualism).

Question 6

What are the modern political ideologies?

Answer 6

Socialism, neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism.

Question 7

What is socialism?

Answer 7

Emerged out of the great depression and was aimed at alleviating poverty by increasing government intervention into the economy and expanding publicly funded social programs.

Question 8

What are socialist values?

Answer 8

Mixed economy, expanded welfare state, group minority rights, state intervention, economic nationalism.

Question 9

What is neoliberalism?

Answer 9

Emerged in the 1970’s and claimed that economic stagnation was a result of government intervention. Favours less government intervention and emphasizes the private sector for economic recovery.

Question 10

What are neoliberal values?

Answer 10

Limited welfare state, lower taxes, free trade, free movement of individuals, immigration and labour, economic freedom.

Question 11

What is neo-conservatism?

Answer 11

Emerged in the 1980’s with a moral agenda for social reform. Less government intervention in the economic sphere and more government intervention in the social sphere.

Question 12

What are neoconservatism values?

Answer 12

Law and order, limited economic freedom (no drugs, porn, gambling, etc), use of military force to protect ‘national interests’, religious and moral agenda, opposed to group rights.

Question 13

What is considered a left wing ideology?

Answer 13

Socialism

Question 14

What is considered a right wing ideology?

Answer 14

Neo-liberalism (in the economic sense), neoconservatism

Question 15

What is a liberal culture?

Answer 15

Gender equality, wealth redistribution, religious freedom, pro-choice, gun control, public education, public health care, multiculturalism.

Question 16

What is a conservative culture?

Answer 16

Male domination, income inequality, white america, christian nation, gun rights, anti-abortion, death penalty, private education and health care, war, nuclear family, gender stereotypes.