Ideology, Religion and Culture in Modern Politics

Ideology

-Alternative to traditional sets of values such as religion whose basis are on rational thoughts rather than spiritual conceptions that pits good vs. evil.

or…

-Systematically coordinated and cognitively salient set of beliefs and values focused on politics

Ways to Conceptualize Ideology

-Highly organized systems of ideas about politics that are universalistic, not specific to one country or time

-Articulates particular views on human nature (peaceful, loving, egotistical)

-Competing world view in which the world could be seen and interpreted

Leninism

-Lenin’s major work, imperalism, explains the asymmetrical power relations inherent in capitalism

-Called it “Super Exploitation”, global condition that enables the wealthy nation-states to exert control of the capital market, marginalizing and suppressing global proletariats

Modernity

Modernity - refers to a type of society, typically one having experienced economy growth and a relatively strong state

• Used to justify colonial projects, growth orientation/capitalist economies

Modernization

-Process through which a society becomes “more modern”

-”Watchwords” include education, literacy, civilization and secularism

-European powers and westernized classes in the subjugated, colonized populations agreed such societies needed modernization

Multiple Modernities

-Multiple modernization processes beyond the European way

-They follow a pattern, but are distinct and influenced by cultures, traditions and historical experiences

-First introduced by Eisenstadt, goes against classic theories of modernization

Fukuyama and the “End of History”

-With the greatest rivals to Liberal Capitalism being defeated, he believed ideological evolution had come to an end

-Western liberal democracy justified itself as the ultimate form of governance

-Universalization of western liberal democracy

-Non-westerns will ultimately acknowledge the ‘saliency’ of the western-way and will abandon their respective ways

-Secularization is an expected outcome

-Western path to development will save the third world, and emancipate them from their traditional values that stood as barriers to liberalism/capitalism

Islamism

-Complex phenomenon with multiple dimensions and various ramifications

-Refer to perspective or ideology that seeks to implement Islamic beliefs, values in all spheres of life - including politics

-Variations (Sunni, Wahabi, Shi’a)

-Has been a powerful instrument for the mobilization of the masses, as well as providing legitimacy to governments