Ideologies

Pluralist ideology

• There are multiple ideologies within society

• They reflect the values and worldviews if the different social groups within that society

• There is no dominant ideology but a sharing of power amongst them

• Pluralism is a political philosophy holding that people of different beliefs backgrounds and lifestyles can coexist in the same society and participate equally in the political process.

• Pluralism is particularly promoted by liberals

• Pluralism argues that tolerance of moral, cultural & political diversity is essential for freedom, and only a democracy in which diverse groups of individuals can compete is a truly liberal democracy

  
  

Evidence in Britain

• Pressure groups have been prominent in protecting minority rights in the UK, including when it relates to political parties themselves.

• The Muslim council of Britain (MCB) demanded an investigation into claims of islamophobia in the conservative party.

• Multicultural policy supports pluralist ideology.

• EAL (English as another language) in schools for example.

  
  

Possible analysis points

Functionalism-Value Consensus

Multiculturalism policy supports Pluralist ideology

Ideology that doesn’t promote equality- Dominant ideology

Marxist ideology

Ruling-Class Ideology- Institutions such as education, the media and religion cntrol the production of ‘ideas’ to disguise the inequalities in capitalism.

Examples include:

The idea that equality will never work because it goes against ‘human nature’, that hierarchy is inevitable.

Victim blaming ideas about poverty, E.g. ‘the poor are dumb theory’ theory that suggests that everyone has an equal chance at success and if the poor cannot aquire success then they are lazy and stupid.

Gramsci

• Hegemony- ‘Ideological domination of society’ maintained through coercion and consent.

• Dual consciousness- workers can have a mixture of ruling-class ideology and ideas that they develop from their own direct experience of exploitation and their struggles against it

• Counter-hegemonic bloc- the proletariat are able to offer an alternative moral and ideological leadership to society.

• Organic intellectuals- Workers who, through their own anti-capitalist struggles develop a class consciousness and are able to recruit others to join their way of thinking.

• Organic intellectuals are an organised, educated group who offer a counter vision (ideology).

Feminism- Patriarchal Ideology

• There is one set of ideas, values and beliefs in society called ‘Patriarchal ideology’

• These all reflect the interests of one (dominant) group, MEN

• Feminists see gender equality and the fundamental division in society

• Radical feminists see patriarchy as universal; the most fundamental form of inequality and conflict whereby all men oppress women

• Pauline Marks-science and religion have promoted patriarchy for generations by blocking women from positions of power or tainting them as weak or impure

• Beliefs about gender serve to advantage males

• Biological ideas such as ‘men are stronger and more logical’ and ‘women are more nurturing and emotional’, serve to justify gender inequality in society.

Patriarchal ideology examples

Patriarchal religious organisations- Armstrong sees exclusion from priesthood as evidence of women’s marginalisation- ‘The stained glass ceiling’

Patriarchal places of worship- Holm notes that women’s menstruation is almost always regarded as ‘polluting’ and Hindu and Muslim women are generally forbidden from entering sacred places or touching sacred objects during their periods

Patriarchal laws and customs- Aldridge states that sexual pleasure for women is disproved or condemned outright in many religions. Sexuality is presented as something that should be linked only to reproduction and not pleasure. Non reproductive sexual acts are strongly discouraged in Catholicism and are forbidden by most Muslims and conservative jews. Can bring in FGM as an example as well.