SDS 131R - Introduction

political ideology

PERSPECTIVES on the world that synthesize philosophical, scientific, economic, religious, political, and technological beliefs for the purpose of encouraging a COURSE OF ACTION. THEY ALL WANT CHANGE.

political philosophy

the study of what political institutions we SHOULD have. they analyze, criticize, and defend major political ideologies. it is a theory, it is not centered around a course of action.

praxis

practice as distinguished from theory, and how theory and action work together. for example, feminist ideology: sex work hurts women. praxis: policies to protect women.

3 components of a political ideology

1. descriptive

2. motivational

3. incorrigable/passionate belief

scientific revolution

the shift from belief in religion to things that are actually testable by the scientific method! a shift away from religious teachings essentially.

who did the scientific revolution piss off and why?

THE CHURCH AND MONARCHY!!

the church bcz people didn’t need to go to the priest for advice on everything or their view on life anymore, which challenged the very nature and power of organized religion. their education took away the power from the church which was literally taking advantage of the people (see sale of indulgences and the 95 theses)

also the monarchy!

the only reason the monarchy exists is cause teh reason for there being a queen is “god made me queen”. if people are stepping away from religion and thinking more along the lines of what they see and think for themselves, the power of the monarchy is undermined.

what is reformation and why did it happen?

a major religious movement that led to a split in teh catholoic church and formation of teh proetstants! why? because of the corruption in the roman catholic church (also sale of indulgences)

who did the reformation piss off?

the church and the monarchy again! more specifically the catholics. its just undermining the power of the church hat the church is under criticism, and then if the church is under criticism the monarchy is too cause “god made me queen” doesnt hit the same anymore.

how did the reformation lead to liberalism

the cconcept of you can get educated, you can get your own bible, interpret the bible yourself was a huge hit to the power of catholic church

martin luther

catholic monk, saw the messed up systems in the church, INCLUDING THE SALE OF INDULGENCES, and said “nah bro yall are wack” and made a list of 95 things the catholic church did that pissed him off which are the 95 theses

sovereignty

the right to have authority over a certain area. ex. if a country is a sovereign, it governs itself without external control (it is independent). if a group of people have sovereignty, they govern themselves without external input

territoriality

the concept that the authority of a state is confined to its borders (or its territory)

nation

state

what is an ideology?

it’s a framework, a way of understanding the world. ex. feminist, marxist

what does describing political ideologies entail?

human nature (inherently good or bad?), origins of the state (why did it come into place? ex. social contract theory), the role of the state (heavily involved or nightwatch state?) the ideal size (idk enough about this yet) and shape of the state, power (fascism (all power to dictator) vs anarchism (power to individual)) where does the power lie?), community (are we individual-focused or community-focused?)

what does motivation entail in political ideologies?

1. what course of action do they want?

2. individual action? collective action?

3. philosophy explains what is, but the ideology is rooted in PRAXIS

4. basically what is the course of action.

what role does passionate belief play in political ideologies

1. incorrigible belief

   1. you can’t argue with them, this is just a belief, it CANNOT change. it does not mean they are irrational by the way! the belief can be 100% rational. it’s just a staunch belief that cannot be budged

2. dogma

   1. a set of principles laid down by an AUTHORITY as absolutely true

      1. think core assumptions and tenets of a religion; they are accepted with absolutely no questions