Lesson 4: Understanding Political Ideologies

Vocabulary flashcards defining key political ideologies, political systems, constitutional references, and concepts from Lesson 4.

Ideology

A set of beliefs and ideas that shape an individual's or a group's views, actions, and interactions with the world.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs and ideas that define political activities, policies, and events, outlining the role of government and the economy in society.

Political Culture

A set of beliefs, attitudes, and behavior that define political processes and governance within a society.

Four Key Functions of Ideology

The core functions of an ideology: 1) explaining how society and politics are organized, 2) evaluating political actions as good or bad, 3) orienting subscribers with identity and direction, and 4) providing a program of action for political change.

Political Spectrum

A graphic representation of political ideologies arranged along a line from left (liberal and socialist) to right (conservative and fascist), with a moderate centrist position in the middle.

Estates General

The legislative body of the French government during the French Revolution where opponents of the monarchy sat on the left and supporters of the king sat on the right, giving rise to the terms left-wing and right-wing.

Nolan Chart and Political Compass

Diagrams that plot political ideologies along two axes based on the political spectrum (left-right) and social freedom (authoritarian-libertarian).

Liberalism

A political ideology that considers social and economic inequality undesirable, seeks to provide opportunities for all, and upholds human rights, individual freedoms, secular government, and gender equality.

Social Democracy

An ideology that seeks to implement socialist reforms in society within the framework of a democratic government and capitalist economy through legal, non-violent means.

Socialism

An ideology envisioning a state characterized by public ownership of resources and means of production, where production is done to meet human needs rather than for profit.

Communism

A socialist ideology holding that inequality results from capitalism and class systems, advocating for the elimination of class divisions to achieve social equality.

Marxism

A communist ideology asserting that capitalist societies are defined by class conflict between the working class (proletariat) and capitalists, and that the proletariat will lead a revolution to establish a communist society.

Anarchism

The most extreme leftist ideology, advocating for the total dismantling and elimination of the state in favor of self-governed communities based on cooperative effort and mutual respect.

Neoliberalism

A right-leaning ideology based on laissez-faire economics that advocates free markets, trade liberalization, and non-intervention by government in market activities.

Trickle-Down Economics

An economic policy implemented during the Reagan administration in the United States that reduced taxes on businesses and the wealthy under the belief that it would generate benefits for the entire population.

Conservatism

An ideology that values a strong, stable government, firm implementation of laws, tradition, free markets, and military strength, while asserting that social problems should be addressed at local or community levels.

Reactionism

A variation of conservatism that views present society as flawed and advocates returning to the 'old ways' by reviving traditional practices and past policies.

Fascism

A radical right-wing ideology based on fierce nationalism, totalitarian control, and a dictatorship, where individual liberties are subordinated to the paramount interests of the state.

Authoritarianism

A political system featuring a strong central government, limited freedom for citizens, and constraints on political institutions.

Totalitarianism

A political system where government authority is unlimited and the state exercises complete control over both the public and private lives of citizens.

Libertarianism

A political system in which the government maintains limited influence over the economy and society.

Populism

A political view that presents the masses as oppressed by an elite or oligarchy and asserts that government should limit elite privileges and improve conditions for the masses.

Patronage Politics

A political practice in which politicians use state resources to reward supporters, contributing to a personality-driven political system rather than ideology-based party politics in the Philippines.

Section 18 of Article VII (1987 Philippine Constitution)

A constitutional provision defining the president's power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and declare martial law in emergencies, representing a fascist-derived emergency power tempered by legislative and judicial review.

Article III and Article XIII (1987 Philippine Constitution)

Constitutional articles representing the Bill of Rights and Social Justice and Human Rights, which express liberal and socialist ideals by upholding individual liberties and sectoral welfare.

Article XV (1987 Philippine Constitution)

The section of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on 'The Family', which is influenced by conservative ideas as it promotes the traditional value of the Filipino family.

AKBAYAN and Kilusang Mayo Uno

Philippine non-government organizations whose agendas and platforms are primarily influenced by socialist ideas.

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)

An organization that advocates establishing communism in the Philippines through armed struggle.