Political Ideologies

government

a system that creates and enforces laws, maintains order, and makes decisions

political systems

How a government is organized, who has the power to make decisions

political ideology

Ideas about how society should be organized
Refers to your position on the political spectrum
Describe relation to the "left" or "right"

political spectrum

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!System that organizes sets of political beliefs on a graph!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Shows relationship between ideologies
Combines social and economic aspects

autocracy

a form of government where one person rules

theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders rule a country in the NAME OF GOD

dictatorship

Government controlled by one person, takes power by force rather than inheritance

absolute monarchy

A form of government in which one person, usually a member of a royal family, exercises supreme authority

junta/military dictatorship

A military group ruling a country after seizing power

federation

A group of states /w a centralized government but independence in internal affairs (local control)

Democratism

The people COLLECTIVELY/as a group will influence policies of government
Most do through voting
Representative: People elect leaders to make decisions for them
Direct: People vote directly on laws and issues

Liberalism

Emphasizes EQUALLY (economic, social, political) and support change if necessary
Government should have LARGE ROLE
Ensure citizens all have equal access to government services that is of good equality and affordable (healthcare, education)
Emphasize civil/individual rights, government only intervene if necessary
Believe in TAXATION to improve government services - collaboration
Support: Affirmative action, unions, workers health and safety acts, gun regulation etc.

Conservatism

Emphasize importance of maintaining order and traditional values (often based on religion)
Limited government programs/intervention and low taxes
Individual choice and competition
Government intervention when NECESSARY to maintain order
Often encourage deregulation of gun and other industries, discourage affirmative action and unions

Authoritarianism

Strong centralized government
Emphasize ORDER AND LIMITS over personal freedom
EXECUTIVE POWERS are often interpreted and loosely defined
Government control extends to all branches of government, political parties, and interest groups
Utilize authority to suppress voices like dissent and opposition political parties
Gets authority from the perception that only this government will solve current issues facing the country (poverty, conflict, etc.)
Ex: Modern China

considered an authoritarian state

Totalitarianism

State has TOTAL control over all social/economic decisions and private life
Has a state (government based) ideology

citizens are expected to share values/beliefs
Focuses on rule by FEAR/TERROR - used to scare citizens to not leave - not factual

scares the citizens about the real world
Ex: "Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state." -Benito Mussolini (said from his Constitution).

Basic tenets of totalitarianism

One ruler (dictator)
ONE political party permitted, no opposition sides
CENSORSHIP based on ideology or no freedom of the press
Use of propaganda (pro-government, patriotic)
Compulsory military service
Generally discourage religious practices (sometimes specific ones)
Discourage participation in special interest groups unless sponsored by government
No public CRITICISM of government permitted
Laws often enforced by secret police, military, etc.

Facism

Different from Germany and Japan, they are Nazism which is more extreme.
Type of authoritarianism that developed in the 1900s
Promotes NATIONALISM, most often ethnic nationalism (believes in perpetual war, constantly mobilized for warfare)
Create an "in-group" and "out-group" based on specific characteristics
No ideology
Utilizes charismatic authority and propaganda to obtain/maintain loyalty
Generally expansionist
Ex: Benito Mussolini in Italy, Franciso Franco in Spain, and Juan Peron in Argentina

Oligarchy

Rule by A FEW powerful people (democracy gone wrong)
Generally corrupt or rule by self-interest
PLUTOCRACY: oligarchs wield power through wealth
Can be HEREDITARY

historically often elite upper class
Modern oligarchies involve countries that allow a few businesses or individuals great influence over society
Ex: Russia and almost like the USA too

Socialism

Created as an economic system
Politically, use government policies to implement a more equal economic system in their society
Can be democratically elected
State uses authority to redistribute wealth, but private property can still exist

Communism

Form of government and economic system created by Karl Max and Friedrich Engels in the mid 1900s
Aims to create a society where wealth and resources are shared equally among everyone
No government is necessary once TRUE EQUALITY (first capitalism, then democracy, then communism) has been achieved because people will govern themselves in a community-oriented way
Achieved through revolution by working class, requires temporary dictatorship to transition from old capitalist system to a new communist one
Before that, society must be INDUSTRIALIZED and capitalist, divide people into PROLETARIAT (working class who sell their labor) and the BOURGEOISIE (capitalists who own most of the wealth and control production).

Russia: Examples of Communist Countries in History

The Soviet Union (USSR) 1922-1991
One of the most well known examples.
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, led by Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, Bolsheviks (communist party) overthrew the Russian Empire and established a communist government.
The Soviet Union sought to abolish private property, nationalize industries, and create a CLASSLESS SOCIETY. Power was centralized in the hands of a few leaders - so believed to be a totalitarian state.

China: Examples of Communist Countries in History

China (People's Republic of China)
After the Chinese Revolution in 1949 led by Mao Zedong, China became a communist country. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took control of the government and implemented policies that sought to abolish private ownership of land and businesses. While China's government is still officially communist today, it has moved toward more capitalist style market reforms, especially since the late 1700s under Deng Xiaoping.

Libertarianism

Don't be fooled by the prefix; it's not like liberal at all!

Focuses on FREEDOM and self governance; any government should be as limited as possible

Laws based on not harming each other while providing as much individual freedom as possible

Anarchism

HATE Government.

Extension of Libertarianism

Eliminates social classes and hierarchy

Ideal society is a loose association of self-governed individuals; no centralized or official government

Focus is on COOPERATION

Believes the state is not only unnecessary but HARMFUL