Political Ideologies (theories)

Human Nature - Conservatism

Humans are born selfish. Religion and law (hierarchy) keeps people in check. E.G: "Life in a state of nature is nasty, brutish, and short." - Thomas Hobbes

Human Nature - Socialism

Humans are fundamentally deviant but are shaped in the economical state they are brought in (wealth inequality) E.G: Robert Owens. Merton Strain Theory - American Dream. Glasgow City and Dundee City highest crime and poverty rates in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

Society - Conservatism

Religion, family and social class helps people understand their place in society. “Society is indeed a contract… between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.” Edmund Burke

Society - Socialism

Burke argued that the wealthy have an obligation to look after the less well of

Ownership - Conservatism

Competition = healthy Capitalism = rewarding

Margaret Thatcher introduced the “right to buy” scheme for council

Thomas Hobbes viewed property rights as essential but secondary to the need for a strong state to protect them

Ownership - Socialism

State has a duty to care for everyone. All essential services should be state owned

SNP nationalised Scotrail in April 2022 > SNP removed peak fairs Sept 2025

“We are all in this together.” – Bernie Sanders.