POLITICAL

IDEOLOGIES
Ellen Grigsby, Analyzing Politics: An Introduction to
Political Science 4th Edition (USA: Wadsworth, 2009),
98-163.
 Content: The learners demonstrate an understanding of politics and political
science, governance, political ideologies, power, states, nations, and globalization
 Performance: The learners shall be able to clearly identify a specific political
phenomenon and how it can be studied.
 Learning Competencies: 1. Identify the basic tenets of major political ideologies.
 2. differentiate the political ideologies
 3. examine the relationship between political ideologies and configurations of
political communities.
 4. critique ideas that have a direct impact on how we try to manage ourselves as a
political community.
 5. analyze how political ideologies impact on the social and political life of Filipino.
Political Ideologies

 What is Ideology?
 The term ‘ideology’ was coined in 1796 by the
French philosopher Destutt deTracy (1754–
1836).
 He used it to refer to a new ‘science of ideas’
(literally, an idea-ology) that set out to uncover
the origins of conscious thought and ideas.
What is Ideology?

(1)offer an account of the existing order,

usually in the form of a ‘worldview’,
(2) provide a model of a desired future, a
vision of the Good Society,
(3) outline how political change can and
should be brought about.
What is Ideology?

Ideologies are not, however,

hermetically sealed systems of
thought; rather, they are fluid sets
of ideas that overlap with one
another at a number of points.
What is then a political ideology?

1) A coherent set of ideas of

on how people should live
together
(2) A plan of action for
applying these ideas
1. Liberalism
-is a term rooted in the
Latin word “liber”, which
means free.

2 Kinds:
Classical Liberalism
Modern Liberalism
Classical Liberalism

 This is the vein both advocated by John Locke and Adam Smith.
 John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher who is often
credited with being the originator of liberalism.
 Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish moral philosopher whose
economic writings offer an elaborate justification of both classical
liberalism and capitalism.
Locke’s Argument: Two Treatises of Government (1690)

 Human nature or state of nature is prior to the creation of state.

 This individuals living in this state of nature had not been influenced
or shaped by laws or political decrees.
 Here, one can really observe human nature solely in its most natural
way.
 He learned that human nature is characterized by freedom, equality
and reason. Human are naturally free, born with the duty to submit to
no one. And also, they have equal claim to life, liberty and property to
enjoy.
Locke’s Argument: Two Treatises of Government (1690)

 How order then is administered?

 There are ethical principles called the laws of nature which are a
reflection and product of nature.
 These are commonsensical codes that obviously correct to reasoning
men and women.
 What are these? preserve yourself (take care of yourself and your
needs. Work to promote your own survival), do not harm others (do
not seek out trouble by starting conflicts and wars. If you seek to
harm others, this will put you at risk of being harmed and will thus
violate the first law of nature) and help others if possible (help others
if you can help them without putting yourself at risk).
Adam’s Argument

 Individuals pursue rational self-interest.

 Example:
 Individuals seek to satisfy their interests and needs by exchanging
objects (money, goods, and services), and each party to the exchange
seeks to better his or her position. If A desires object X and can
obtain X on terms more favorable from B than from C, A’s rational
self-interest will incline A to exchange with B. B is rewarded and C is
encouraged to improve his or her objects of exchange in order to
benefit from future transactions.
In a nutshell, Classical Liberalism:
 The individual is more important than the state and becomes a citizen
of the state only through consent.
 The individual is rational and capable of making his or her own
decisions; this makes the individual capable of autonomy and self-
government.
 Progress is possible in political affairs, so change is not to be feared.
 State power should be limited.
 Economic inequality is not necessarily bad.
 Economic freedom (individual freedom to make economic choices) is
more important than economic equality.
Liberalism
-is a term rooted in the
Latin word “liber”, which
means free.

2 Kinds:
Classical Liberalism
Modern Liberalism
Modern Liberalism

 English philosopher T. H. Green (1836-1882) advocates a modern

liberalism.
 His concept of freedom is not just in terms from state intervention just
like the classical liberalism. Rather, he expanded it as maximizing
individual potential and using that potential to be contributing
member of the society.
 It is a liberty involving living fully and actively, using one’s talents and
fulfilling one’s potential.
 This enables the state to intervene to promote and enhance individual
freedom. With the intervention of the state, better working condition
can be provided.
In a nutshell, Modern Liberalism:

 Government intervention into individual and social life is

sometimes necessary to prevent some individuals from
denying freedom to others.
 Liberty should be understood in broad, expansive, positive
terms: as the liberty to seek out ways to develop human
potential and contribute in a meaningful way to society.
 Economic inequality is to be regarded with suspicion, as a
condition likely to undermine the welfare of those who have
lower incomes and thus to erode their chances of being free
(freedom being defined as expansive liberty).
Consevatism
-seeking to conserve or
preserve some reality.

British philosopher
Edmund Burke (1729–
1797) was both a
scholar and a member
of the British parliament
Conservatism: Burke’s Contention

 Burke begins his discussion of political ideology with a critical analysis of

human nature. He emphasizes two points.
 First, Burke argues that human nature is not characterized by rational
supremacy.
 Secondly, not only are people less rational than liberals believe them to be,
but they are also naturally unequal, according to Burke. Burke asserts that
differences in natural talents divide people into different levels of abilities.
 From the standpoint of political ideology, Burke has told us something very
important. Traditional conservatives do not glorify traditional values just to
be ‘‘old fashioned.’’ They challenge us to conserve traditional morality
because without traditional morality, we lose our connection with ethical
certainty.
In a nutshell, Burkean Traditional Conservatism:

 Asserts that because of the profound human tendency

toward irrational behavior, humans need guidance and
direction from traditional authorities for society to enjoy
peace and stability.
 Argues that traditional authorities should pass on long-
standing moral teachings through the family, religious
institutions, and governmental laws.
 Insists that compliance with traditional morality is more
important than individual liberty; in other words, people
should not have the freedom to violate moral precepts.
Socialism
-coined in the early
1800s
Basis of Socialism: Marxism

 German theorist Karl Marx (1818–1883) are so vast and

complex that his theory of socialism has come to be known
specifically as Marxism. With his friend and collaborator
Frederick Engels (1820-1895), Marx published The
Communist Manifesto in 1848.
 Marx was greatly influenced by his teacher, German
philosopher Georg W. F. Hegel (1770–1831), who believed
that new ways of thinking and conceptualizing reality
emerge from the conflict.
What is this Marxism?

 There is a clash in the society between the proletariat and

bourgeoisie.
 The proletariat is the class that lives primarily by selling its
labor power (laboring ability) for a wage.
 The bourgeoisie is the class that lives primarily by
purchasing the labor power of others and using this labor to
operate the factories and businesses owned by the
bourgeoisie.
 Two classifications, grouped by one’s functions.
What is this Marxism?

 The workers demand a good salary from the capitalist.

 The capitalist rejects the demand for profit.
 So the capitalist says, low wage, higher profit. (Surplus
value)
 As the workers work hard, they are alienated. Alienation
consists of three ways from the work (mechanical), from the
worker (loss of self-identity) and from fellow workers
(competition). Alienation enslaves the workers from their
very dignity as persons.
What is this Marxism?

Workers revolted and a new paradigm

emerged.
Marx proposed a classless society where
everyone has an equal access to
resources, to job opportunities in order to
attain better living.
What is this Marxism-Leninism?

 A form of socialism articulated by Russian theorist and

revolutionary Vladimir Iylich Ulyanov, whose revolutionary
name was Lenin (1870–1924).
 The state controls over industry and creates a political
framework of one-party government
 It is also called imperialism.
 This was Mao Zedong (1893-1976) used to China when he
became the communist leader from 1949-1976.
How about Social Democtrats?

 Socialism and democracy are consistent with each

other.
 They view socialism as a way of organizing society
so that all groups are guaranteed some level of
social well-being and economic security.
 Indeed, social democrats support extensive welfare
programs. Such programs, they contend, can
promote economic self-determination, just as
democracy promotes political.
In a nutshell, Socialism:

 It argues that citizens are best served

by policies focused on meeting the
basic needs of the entire society
rather than on serving the needs of
individuals as individuals.
Fascism
-In ancient Rome, the
fasces was an emblem
symbolizing power
through unity.
this emblem was a
compelling one because
fascism called for the
establishment of a
unified society in which
each individual existed
for the nation’s
purposes.
Fascism
Hitler
Musollini
How is this?

 Benito Mussolini (1883–1945) and Adolf Hitler

(1889–1945)
 Fascism’s rejection of individualism in favor of
nationalism placed it at odds with liberalism.
 In upholding the totalistic state, fascists denied that
states should limit their own powers in order to
maximize individual freedom and insisted, instead,
that individuals acknowledge the superior authority
of the state.
How is this?

 Fascists asserted that the state should be the

ultimate source of morality, and civil institutions
should defer to state decisions.
 Fascism also opposed the concepts of natural and
civil equality and supported, instead, the idea of
elitism.
 Fascism’s support of elitism was conceptually
related to its advocacy of nationalism and racism.
Think of Nazi

 Hitler calls for racial purity, attacks Jews as

‘‘inferior,’’ and asserts the racial and cultural
‘‘superiority’’ of whites or Aryans.
 White Rose was then a movement against Nazi which
was organized by university students at Munich.
 Its member wrote pamphlets that criticized the
Nazism that advocates murder and brutality, not a
philosophy of life.
In a nutshell, Fascism:
 Argues in favor of a totalitarian state that regulates any and all parts
of life deemed to be relevant to politics, as determined by state
officials.
 Asserts that the state is more important than the individual.
 Rejects the idea that civil institutions should have an important role in
limiting the power of states and in criticizing laws of the state.
 Affirms that individuals are to gain a sense of purpose by
psychologically identifying with a totalistic state and devoting
themselves to service to that state.
 Rejects the concept of equality.
 Advocates nationalism and/or racism.
Feminism
-the girl-power
In a nutshell, Feminism:

 Feminism opposes the political, economic, and cultural

relegation of women to positions of inferiority.
 In upholding the fundamental equality of women and men,
feminists have critiqued and argued against the institution
of patriarchy.
 A patriarchal system is a system based on a sexual
hierarchy, whereby men exist in positions of superiority and
women are accorded positions of subordination and
dependency.
Environmentalism
-term ecology was
coined in the 1860s by
German biologist Ernst
Haeckel to
-refer to the disciplinary
study of how organisms
relate to their
surrounding
environments.
In a nutshell, Environmentalism:

 Environmentalists point out that given the interconnections

between elements of an ecosystem, the alteration or
destruction of one element within that system is likely to
have consequences for all the remaining elements.
 The concept of stewardship is linked to the idea of
sustainable development. Sustainable development is
development designed to use natural resources in a manner
that neither depletes nor destroys elements of the
ecosystem.
 It promotes the integrity of ecosystem.
In a nutshell, Environmentalism:

 The principle of ecological stewardship has

prompted some environmentalists to call into
question the concept of ownership in relation to
natural resources generally.
 Specifically, although I may be able to survey my
property and fence it off from your property, on ‘‘my
property’’ other species have arguably as much
claim, at any moment, to elements of the ecosystem
as have I.
Postmodernism
In a nutshell, Postmodernism:

 Absolute statements as timeless truths should be

viewed with profound skepticism.
 postmodern theorist Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924–
1998) explains that postmodernism calls into
question ‘‘metanarratives.’’
 Metanarratives are those ethical systems, value
systems, cultural norms and normative behaviors
passed to us since the dawn of humanity.
In a nutshell, Postmodernism:

 Because it questions everything, it is often

associated to relativism that as if “my” contention is
always better than you.
 a recurrent theme of postmodernism, however, is
the celebration of the diversity of thinking that
logically follows from rejecting orthodox beliefs.