HUMSS5: Politics and Governance

Understanding
Political
Ideologies
Engaging Questions
• Is our government doing a good job?
• Do our public officials uphold the welfare of the
people?
 Ideology
It refers to the set of beliefs and ideas that shape an
individual’s or group’s views, actions and interactions
with the world.
 Political Ideology
It is a set of beliefs and ideas that define
political activities, policies and events.

It is comprised of related and supporting ideas

that advance a certain idea of what a society
and government is or what it should be.
 LEFT (Liberal-Socialist)
1. Emphasis on personal liberty and human
rights
2. Government regulation of the market
3. Government control over essential
services and economic activities
4. Envisions an egalitarian society where
there is no distinction between people
based on economic status or identity
5. Seeks limited role for the government,
especially with regard to private matters
and individual decisions
6. Often advocates political and social
change through revolutionary means
7. Most extreme views advocate the
dismantling of the government to be
replaced by community-based
governance (anarchist)
CENTER (Moderate)
1. Combines ideas and principles from both
the left and right
2. Emphasizes balance between extreme
views and ideas
3. Seeks the “middle ground” in political
issues
4. Seeks to maintain the status quo in
politics and society
5. May lean toward some leftist ideas or
policies (center-left), or may prefer some
right-wing ideas or policies(center-right)
RIGHT(Conservative-Fascist)
1. Emphasis on the welfare of the state or
the “common good”
2. Individual interests should give way to
national or state interests
3. Markets should be free or unregulated
4. Emphasizes the rule of law and the
power of the state, especially in times of
crisis (authoritarian)
5. Often nationalistic and ethnic-centered
6. Prefers a strong military and seeks to
project a powerful image in international
affairs
7. Most extreme views demand total
control over all aspects of the lives of
their citizens
 Major Political
Ideologies and Related
Ideas
 Liberalism

This ideology considers economic and social inequality as undesirable and

seeks to establish a society that provides opportunities for growth to all
individuals. Public policy, therefore, must be oriented toward eliminating
discrimination and barriers to growth and development.
 Liberalism

All citizens must have access to essential services such as health care,
education, and social security. Liberalism upholds the recognition of human
rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion,
gender equality, and a secular government.
 Social Democracy
This ideology seeks to implement socialist reform in society within
the framework of a democratic government and capitalist economy.
Social democrats advocate government regulation of the economy,
income distribution, and the promotion of social welfare. Social
democracy envisions the establishment of a socialist state through
legal, non-violent means.
 Socialism
Socialism envisions the establishment of a state characterized by
public ownership of resources and the means of production.
Production is done not for profit but to meet basic human needs.
There is democratic control over the use of resources and the
production of goods and services are done in a cooperative manner.
The government ensures that all citizens have free access to goods
and services.
 Socialism
Communism is a socialist ideology that believes
that inequality is a result of capitalism and the
existence of a class system. Society, therefore,
must be transformed to eliminate class divisions
in order to achieve equality.
 Socialism
Marxism is a communist ideology that believes capitalist
societies are characterized by class conflict or the struggle
between the working class and the capitalists. Marxists
believe that the working class or the proletariat will lead a
revolution that will establish a communist society.
Communism is more revolutionary in its orientation as it
advocates mass action and even armed struggle in order
to achieve its goals.
 Anarchism
This is the most extreme of the ideologies on the left as it
advocates the total dismantling and elimination of the state. For
anarchists, the state is undesirable as its various aspects such as
control, political authority, and hierarchy represent everything that
is detrimental to freedom and individualism. Instead of the state,
anarchists advocate the establishment of self-governed
communities where individuals manage their affairs through
cooperative effort and mutual respect.
 Neoliberalism
• This ideology is based on laissez-faire economics which upholds free
markets and trade liberalization. Neoliberalism believe that economic
growth is key to human progress, and that the government must not
intervene in the activities of the markets and capitalists.
 Neoliberalism
• This ideology gained popularity during the 1980s and was implemented
by the governments of the United Kingdom and United States. In
particular, the Reagan administration of the United States advocated
“trickle down” economics- a policy that reduced taxes on the wealthy
and businesses. It was believed that the policy would result in
economic benefits for the rest of the population of the United States.
 Conservatism
This ideology upholds a strong, stable government and the firm
implementation of laws. Conservatives value continuity of tradition
and are more nationalistic, religious and moralistic in their political
views. This view upholds the existence of a free market with limited
intervention from the government. Conservative also prefer a strong
military and advocate a strong presence in international affairs.
 Conservatism
In the US, conservative thought adheres to the belief in a “limited
government” in the sense that the government should not interfere in
the individual beliefs and decisions of its citizens. It is the view of the
conservatives that social problems are not the concern of the
government and should be addressed at the local or community level.
Conservatism is also wary of any change or reform, and are generally
opposed to socialist ideas.
 Reactionism
This ideology is the variation of conservatism. While conservatism seeks to
maintain the status quo, reactionism advocates a return to the “old ways”.
Reactionaries consider the present state of society as flawed and looks to the past
which they consider as a more orderly and better time. Society, therefore, should
change in a way that traditional practices and previous state policies are revived.
 Fascism
This is a radical right-wing ideology that is based on
fierce nationalism and authoritarianism. Fascism
advocates a very strong central government, with
may of the aspects of democratic government
subject to restrictions or even eliminated. Fascism
emerged as a significant political ideology in Italy
during the 1930s, although this ideology also
influenced the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and
militarism in Japan.
 Fascism
For fascists, society is in danger from various threats
such as invasion, war or rebellion, and a very strong
government with unlimited powers is needed to
address these threats. The fascist government is
centered on a dictatorship, and political opposition
and dissent is suppressed. For fascists, the interests
of the state is considered paramount, and individual
liberties and interests must give way to the interest
of the state.
Why do we need to become aware
of one’s political ideology?
An awareness of one’s political ideology is essential as
it helps citizens participate effectively in politics.
Ideology can be a source of stability and unity,
especially if majority of the citizens believe in the
principles and values of the government.

Citizens who do not share in the prevailing doctrines

and ideas of the state, on the other hand, can be
effective counter-balance to the state and provide a
voice of dissent and opposition whenever necessary.
 Being aware o one’s political beliefs and values also
helps in critically examining government actions and
programs. Citizen support for the government should
not be unconditional and uncritical, thus an awareness
of what one stand for and how government should
uphold the shared beliefs of its citizens is necessary to
prevent any action of the government that might go
against the principles and values of a democratic state.
 END OF
PRESENTATION