VICTORIAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Academic Track – Humanities & Social Sciences

Philippine Politics and Governance

Lesson #2

POLITICAL IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY – it is defined as a political statements that aim to call upon massive mass or
government action to achieve relatively better political and economic condition (Baradat, 1997)
- is a certain set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths, symbols of a social movement, institution,
class or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural
blueprint for a certain social order.

MAJOR POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

1. LIBERALISM – derived from a Latin word “LIBERE” which means “FREE MEN”.
- It favors change, prefers more freedom, and has a more optimistic approach to human reasoning
and nature (Sargent, 2009)
a. There should be a need for change in socials relations not requiring governmental involvement.
b. Society must be free from governmental interventions.
c. The government must promote individual welfare and support civil rights and accept peaceful
political change.

Kinds of Liberalism:

A. Classical Liberalism – adheres to the laisses -faire system proposed by Adam Smith in his
Wealth of Nations, wherein the government does not interfere with the market.
B. Modern Liberalism – upon seeing the adverse impact of the free market (such as monopolies,
unfair contracts, the poor becomes poorer), is more open to the ideas that, at certain times, the
government should interfere.

2. CONSERVATISM
a. It derived from the word conservation.
b. It seeks to preserve all that is good about the past.
c. It gives greater attention to social entities than to individuals having the inclination to oppose
change in political environment.

- It is focused on conserving something, characterized by a resistant to change, adherent to limited

human freedom as it chooses to maintain traditional values, and at some extreme versions, distrust to
human reasoning and nature or anti- egalitarianism (Sargent, 2009).

Edmund Burke, through his work Reflections on the French Revolution, argued that institution evolved
over time to fit the needs of society, thus “tampering with tradition is likely to bring grief rather than
improvement” (Sargent, 2009)

3. SOCIALISM – a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means
of production, distribution and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

a. It is an economic and political doctrine advocating government ownership.

b. It adheres to social equality to attain social stability.
c. It is an instrument of labor movement.

4. SOCIAL DEMOCRACY – is a political, social and economic philosophy within socialism that
supports political and economic democracy and supports a gradualist, reformist and democratic
approach towards achieving socialism.

Ex. Countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are often cited as exemplars of social
democracy. They combine a market economy with strong social safety nets, universal healthcare, free
education, and progressive taxation.
 Germany: Germany’s social market economy emphasizes social welfare, labor rights, and
economic stability. It provides robust social services, including healthcare, education, and
unemployment benefits.

Canada: Canada’s mixed economy incorporates elements of social democracy. It offers

universal healthcare, affordable education, and social programs to support vulnerable populations.

Australia: Australia combines market capitalism with social policies. It has publicly funded
healthcare, strong labor protections, and a focus on income equality.

New Zealand: New Zealand’s social democracy includes universal healthcare, public education,
and social housing. It emphasizes fairness and equality.

Remember that social democracy varies across countries, but these examples highlight common
features such as social safety nets, public services, and a commitment to reducing inequality.

5. COMMUNISM - a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a
society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their
abilities and need.

It has a mantra, “For him according to his ability, to him according to his needs.”

 Countries that have adopted communism as their form of government, such as China, Cuba, Laos,
Vietnam, and North Korea. These countries have government-owned businesses, private property
restrictions, and centralized planning.
 Militant groups that advocate for communism, such as the Black Panther Party and
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. These groups use violence and propaganda to
overthrow capitalism and imperialism.
 Former communist regimes that collapsed or transitioned to other systems, such as the Soviet Union
and East Germany. These regimes faced economic and political challenges, such as shortages,
corruption, and dissent.

6. FASCISM – the term was first used by BENITO MUSSOLINI’s movement in Italy (1915).
- far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement, characterized by
a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a
natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation or
race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.

Examples of fascist countries include:

 ITALY (1922–43) under Benito Mussolini, the first generally recognised fascist leader.
 GERMANY (1933–45) under Adolf Hitler, the most fascist dictator of all time.
 SPAIN (1939–75) under Francisco Franco, who adopted the ideologies of fascism.
 IMPERIAL JAPAN, which allied with fascist Italy and Germany in World War II.
 FRANCE’S VICHY REGIME (1940–44), which collaborated with Nazi Germany.

7. FEMINISM - the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.
- the belief in social, economic and political equality of the sexes.

As a social movement, the main chraracteristics and demands of feminism include:

- Equal pay in the workplace
- Reproductive rights
- Women’s suffrage
- The right to education
- Fighting against gender stereotypes and performative behaviors
- Protection against sexual harassment and assault
- The right to own property.