Task 2 - POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES Flashcards
- What is an ideology?
Set of ideas that form the baseground and organize political action
- Meta-ideologies
Ideas overlap and form bigger ideas rather than being multiple single ones
- Classical Ideological Traditions. Name the 3
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Socialism
- Why have they mantained their relevance?
Ability to reinvent themselves
2.1 LIBERALISM: Name 2 core principles
- Individualism
- Liberty
2.1 Individualism
- Individual in the centre
- Construction of a society in which individual can develop the best evrsion of themselves
- Equality of opportunity: All individuals as equals
- Morally neutral: Every individual can make their own moral decision
2.1 Liberty
- Top priority
- Arises from desire and right to behave the way they please
- Everyone should enjoy liberty to the extent that does not harm others
2.1 How did liberalism evolve? What were the main characteristics during each period?
First purely economic (classical and industrial)
- Condemns all forms of state intervention
- Linked with the invisible hand
From 19th century onwards : Social capitalism
- Favored welfare reforms and economic intervention more
2.1 Modern liberalism. Characteristics
- More sympathetic towards state intervention
- Big government
- Recognition that industrial cap generated forms of injustice
- Keynes insight
2.1 Neoliberalism. Characteristics
- Centre pillars: Market and individual
- Goal: No state intervention
- Unregulated market capitalism
- ‘nanny state’: Culture of dependence undermines freedom
- Individual responsibility
- Entrepreneuralism
2.2 Conservatism. Central themes
- Tradition
- Pragmatism
2.2 Tradition
- Respect for established virtues
- Trust in old institutions
- Reflects accumulated wisdom of past
- Sense of historical belonging
2.2 Pragmatism
- Abstract principles mistrusted
- Reliance of experience, history
- No ideology -> “attitude of mind”
2.2 CONSERVATISM. Characteristics
- Human imperfection (pessimism)
Corrupt
Roots for crime -> Strong state, strict laws and penalties - Organicism
Society = living entity
Community as more than individuals
Shared values and common culture - Hierarchy
Essential and not root for conflict (Society bound my mutual obligations and duties) - Authority
Comes from above
Ensures cohesion - Property
Sense of what is theirs
Ability to reflect themselves from outside
2.2 Paternalistic conservatism
- Consistent with: Organicism, hierarchy and duty
- Blend of market competition and gov regulation (pragmatic approach to econ policy
- One nation