20241021_POL101H1 F Wk 6 How do ideas shape politics

Class Information

  • Course Title: Politics and Ideas (POL101H1 F)

  • Instructor: Professor Dos Santos

  • Make-Up Class: December 3, 2024, 12-2 PM in the lecture hall.

Land Acknowledgement

  • Acknowledged Groups: Huron-Wendat, Seneca, Mississaugas of the Credit.

  • Significance: Recognition of the land's historical and ongoing importance to Indigenous peoples and gratitude for working on that land.

Context of Land Acknowledgement

  • Origins: Ideas of land acknowledgment emerged from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Ideational Change

  • Definition: Ideational change refers to the process of individuals and societies replacing old ideas with new ones (Berman, 2001).

  • Importance of Backstory: Understanding why certain ideas gain prominence in politics at specific times is crucial.

Role of Ideas in Politics

  • Function of Ideologies:

    • Help interpret the world.

    • Foster social cohesion.

Ideologies and Their Context

  • Dynamic Nature: Ideologies are shaped by their historical context and current events.

Critical Junctures

  • Definition: Significant events that lead to substantial changes in political direction (e.g., financial crisis of 2008).

Influence of Ideas on Political Action

  • Ideational Approach: Political decisions are often driven by ideas more than just material interests.

  • Populist Mobilization: Occurs when marginalized groups engage in contentious action, enhanced by anti-elitist rhetoric (Betz, 2018).

Populist Ideologies

  • Characteristics: Simplify complex issues using slogans appealing to sentiments of justice and fairness.

Impact of Narratives

  • Influence on Public Perception: Ideas and narratives shape political identities and perceptions, as seen in examples such as American Exceptionalism and Brexit.

Role of Elites

  • Manipulation of Ideology: Political elites may adopt and adapt ideologies to maintain power.

Cultural Context

  • Influence on Acceptance of Ideas: Cultural factors significantly affect how ideologies are perceived and accepted.

Economic Conditions and Ideologies

  • Correlation: Economic downturns (like 2008) often prompt the emergence of new ideologies focused on social and economic justice.

Political Strategies and Ideas

  • Future Implications: Understanding the power of ideas is crucial for shaping future political strategies.