Political Ideology Vocabulary

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals that forms the basis of political theory and policy.

Normative vs Empirical

Normative focuses on “what ought to be,” while empirical

emphasizes “what is.”

Left-Right Spectrum

A common framework to classify political ideologies, from

progressive (left) to conservative (right)

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing individual freedoms, rights, and equality

Conservatism

An ideology favoring tradition, stability, and a limited role for government in

personal lives

Socialism

An ideology advocating for social ownership of production and economic

equality

Capitalism

An economic system emphasizing private ownership and free markets

Communism

A classless society where resources are communally owned, associated with

Marxist theory

Nationalism

A belief in prioritizing the interests of one’s nation over others

Fascism

An authoritarian ideology emphasizing nationalism, militarism, and the

suppression of dissent

Populism

A political approach appealing to “the people” against perceived elites.

Authoritarianism vs Libertarianism

Spectrum measuring attitudes toward centralized

authority vs. individual freedoms

Polarization

The growing ideological distance between political groups

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to a particular political party or ideology

Marxism

A socio-economic analysis advocating for class struggle and communism

Neoliberalism

A modern political-economic ideology emphasizing deregulation,

privatization, and free markets

Postmodernism

A critical theory challenging universal truths and emphasizing the role of

language and powe

Justice

Principles of fairness, often central to debates on equality and rights.

Freedom vs Equality

A classic ideological debate about prioritizing individual liberty or

collective equality.