Political Ideology Slides

Classical Liberalism (18th and 19th century)

•Emphasizes individual rights and liberty

•Limited government intervention

•Strong property rights

•Free market economics

•Negative rights (freedom from interference)

•Key thinkers: John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill

•Primary focus on political and economic liberty

Modern Liberalism (20th Century onward)

•Accepts government intervention to ensure equality

•Supports welfare state programs

•Regulatory oversight of markets

•Positive rights (right to education, healthcare, etc.)

•Focus on social justice and equality

•Key thinkers: John Rawls, John Maynard Keynes

•Emphasis on both political and social equality

Key differences of classical and modern liberalism

1.Role of Government:

•Classical: Minimal state focused on protecting rights

•Modern: Active state promoting social welfare

2.Economic View:

•Classical: Free market with minimal regulation

•Modern: Regulated market with social safety nets

3.Concept of Rights:

•Classical: Natural rights, especially property rights

•Modern: Expanded rights including social and economic rights

Classical Conservativism (Burke, etc)

•Emphasizes tradition and organic social development

•Skeptical of rapid change and abstract theories

•Values social hierarchy and established institutions

•Strong emphasis on duty and social obligations

•Supports ordered liberty within traditional frameworks

•Religious and moral values as social foundations

•Key thinkers: Edmund Burke, Samuel Taylor Coleridge

•Views society as an inherited trust, not a blank slate

Modern Conservativism (Post WW2)

•Fusion of traditional values with free-market economics

•Strong emphasis on individual liberty and property rights

•Anti-communism/socialism

•Support for limited government (in theory)

•Religious values, particularly in social policy

•Strong national defense

•Key thinkers: William F. Buckley, Russell Kirk

•Fusion of libertarian economics with traditional values

Key Differences of Classical and modern Conservativism

1.View of Markets:

•Classical: Skeptical of unfettered capitalism

•Modern: Strongly pro-free market

2.Role of Government:

•Classical: Accepts state role in maintaining social order

•Modern: Generally anti-government intervention

3.Social Change:

•Classical: Deeply skeptical of rapid social change

•Modern: More accepting of market-driven social changes

The psychology of political ideology

studies how

people's beliefs, personalities, and experiences

shape their political views. Political psychology

also examines how these factors influence

political behavior and policy

Social conditioning

including biases and stereotypes, can influence political

views

Life experiences

including ecological stressors like disease and wildfires, can

influence political views

Motivated social cognition

can reinforce underlying predispositions

Psychological variables

related to threat and uncertainty can be linked to

political ideology.

Political ideology

provide frameworks for making sense of politics.

influence social policy and power allocation.

can be influenced by religion, science, and

freedom.

can be influenced by ecological stressors like

disease and wildfires

Individual-level psycholigcal processes

attribute the variations in the political

spectrum to personal differences in ideology, personality, and morality. This relates

to the Instrumental Model of Partisanship and supports individualistic decision-

making as the driving force behind political differences

Group-level psychological processes

relate to the Social Identity Theory of partisan

politics. Therefore, it supports the belief that group identity, intergroup dynamics,

and group norms play a larger role in political and ideological stance than

individual belief.

Summary of Haidt’s “Righteous Mind”

The core argument is that moral judgments are primarily driven by

intuition rather than reason, and different political groups operate from

different moral foundations

Key Points in Haidt’s “Righteous Mind”

1. Moral Foundations Theory:

- Conservatives and liberals prioritize different moral foundations

- Six foundations: Care/Harm, Fairness/Cheating, Loyalty/Betrayal,

Authority/Subversion, Sanctity/Degradation, and Liberty/Oppression

- Liberals focus primarily on Care and Fairness

- Conservatives use all six foundations more equally

2. Social Intuitionism:

- Moral judgments are made primarily through intuition, not reason

- Reasoning typically comes after to justify intuitive judgments

- We're more like lawyers defending our positions than judges seeking truth

3. Groupish Nature:

- Humans are "90% chimp, 10% bee" - both selfish and capable of group

cooperation

- Religion and other group-binding mechanisms evolved to enable large-scale

cooperation

Practical Implications of Haidt’s “Righeteous Mind”

- Political differences stem from genuine moral differences, not just

ignorance or bad faith

- Understanding all moral foundations can help bridge political divides

- Purely rational arguments often fail to persuade because they don't

address underlying moral intuitions

Definition and Significance of Political Ideology

Understanding Political Ideology:

Political ideology consists of beliefs and values that guide political opinions and decisions, providing a framework for understanding politics.

Influence on Governance:

Political ideologies significantly influence governance by shaping policies and the direction of government actions.

Impact on Voter Behavior:

Political ideology also plays a crucial role in voter behavior, affecting how individuals engage with elections and political parties.

The Role of Ideology in Political Science

Framework for Analysis:

Ideologies serve as essential frameworks that guide political scientists in their analysis of political phenomena.

Understanding Political Dynamics:

Understanding ideologies helps scholars decode complex political dynamics and the interplay of various political forces.

Motivations Behind Actions:

Ideologies reveal the motivations behind political actions, offering insights into why individuals and groups behave the way they do.

Historical Context and Emergence of Political Ideologies

Enlightenment Influence:

The Enlightenment was a pivotal movement that promoted reason and individualism, influencing modern political ideologies.

Industrial Revolution Impact:

The Industrial Revolution transformed economies and societies, leading to new political ideologies like socialism and capitalism.

Political Ideologies Emergence:

The interplay of Enlightenment ideas and industrial advancements led to the emergence of diverse political ideologies.

Core Principles of Liberalism

grounded in principles of individual freedom, equality

before the law, and democratic governance

Historical Evolution

reflects changing social values and

responses to historical events, adapting to new challenges over

time

Influence of Liberalism on Modern Politics

has significantly shaped contemporary political

ideologies and policies, promoting democratic governance and

human rights.

Values of Conservativism

emphasizes the importance of tradition and social

stability as foundational principles

Fiscal Conservativism

focuses on reducing government spending

and promoting financial responsibility and economic stability

Social Conservatism

emphasizes preserving traditional social

norms and values, often in relation to family and community.

Core Principles of Socialism

emphasizes social ownership and egalitarianism, aiming

to reduce inequality within societies

Historical Movements of Socialism

has evolved through various

movements and adaptations to address socio-economic changes

Adaptation to Conditions of Socialism

has adapted over time to different socio-economic

conditions, reflecting the needs and demands of changing societies

Liberalism and free markets

promotes free market policies

that encourage competition and economic

growth, emphasizing individual

entrepreneurship

Socialism and state intervention

advocates for state intervention in

the economy to ensure social welfare,

reducing inequality and providing public

services.

Views on individual rights and freedoms

Liberalism and Individual Rights:

Liberalism strongly prioritizes individual rights, advocating for personal freedoms and autonomy in society.

Conservatism and Community Values:

Conservatism often emphasizes community values over individual rights, seeking to uphold traditions and social order.

Socialism and Equality":

Socialism focuses on equality, which may sometimes lead to tension between collective goals and individual liberties.

Approaches to Governance and Authority

Liberal Governance:

Liberals typically advocate for democratic governance, emphasizing individual rights and participation in decision-making processes.

Conservative Authority:

Conservatives often support established authorities and traditional structures, believing stability is essential for governance.

Socialist Participation:

Socialists generally advocate for participatory governance, promoting collective decision-making and community involvement.

Neoliberalism and its Influence

Free-Market Capitalism:

Neoliberalism promotes a free-market economy where private enterprise thrives with minimal government intervention.

Deregulation Effects:

Deregulation under neoliberalism aims to reduce government controls, leading to increased competition and efficiency in markets.

Social Implications:

The influence of neoliberalism often sparks debates about its social implications, including inequality and public welfare.

Environmentalism and Green Politics

Ecological Sustainability:

Environmentalism emphasizes the importance of ecological sustainability to combat climate change and preserve natural resources for future generations.

Climate Change Awareness:

Raising awareness about climate change is crucial in motivating individuals and governments to take action towards a greener future.

Policies for Social Justice:

Green politics advocate for policies that not only protect the environment but also promote social justice and equity among communities.

Populism and its Rise in Modern Politics

Characteristics of Populism:

Populism is often defined by its anti-establishment sentiments and a strong appeal to the common people, seeking to unite various social groups.

Appeal to the Common People:

Populist movements resonate with everyday citizens, emphasizing their struggles and advocating for their interests against perceived elites.

Intersection with Ideologies:

Populism can intersect with various ideological frameworks, adapting to different political contexts and appealing to a broad spectrum of citizens.

Shaping Political Parties and Electoral Behavior

Role of Ideologies:

Ideologies are foundational to political parties, shaping their beliefs, platforms, and policy proposals.

Influencing Voter Choices:

Political ideologies influence how voters perceive parties, impacting their choices during elections significantly.

Formation of Political Parties:

The ideological alignment of individuals leads to the formation and evolution of political parties over time.

Influence on Public Policy and Legislation

Political Ideology Impact:

Different political ideologies shape public policy decisions, influencing how social issues are addressed.

Legislative Priorities:

Legislative priorities often reflect the dominant political ideology and its stance on social issues.

Social Issues Approaches:

Different ideologies advocate for varying approaches to tackle pressing social issues, leading to diverse policy outcomes.

Global Perspectives and ideological Conflicts

Understanding Political Ideologies:

Political ideologies shape the beliefs and actions of nations, influencing global relations and conflicts.

Tensions Between Nations:

Ideological conflicts can escalate, resulting in heightened tensions and disputes between countries.

Societal Conflicts:

Conflicts can also arise within societies, driven by differing political beliefs and ideologies.

Conclusion of Ideology

Importance of Political Ideology:

Political ideology is vital for understanding

how societies structure their governance

and influence political behavior.

Evolving Ideologies:

As political ideologies evolve, they reflect

changes in societal values and priorities,

impacting future political trends.

Global Influence:

Political ideologies have a significant

impact on global politics, influencing

international relations and cooperation.