Political Ideologies : A Level
2023-2024
, Ideology- An Introduction
Ideology is the science of ideas
Role of ideas in politics
1. Some believe its mere propaganda
2. Some believe political ideas could only be understood in the light of economic or class interests
3. Some believe the world is ruled by the ideas of economic theorists and political philosophers
Political theory and political practice
• shape the nature of the political systems
• They structure the political understanding and so set goals and inspire activism
• As a form of social cement
Views of Ideology
• a political belief system
• An action orientated set of political ideas
• The idea of a ruling class
• The world view of a particular social class or social group
• Political ideas that embody or articulate class or social interests
• Ideas that propagate false consciousness amongst the exploited
• Ideas that situate the individual within a social context
• Officially sanctioned set of ideas used to legitimize a political system
• An all embracing political doctrine that claims the truth
• An abstract and highly systematic set of political ideas
Marxist meaning of an ideology- ideology as a delusion and mystification
Ideology- describes a coherent system of philosophical, police’s, social and economic ideas with a specific structure
1. Has a concept of human essence
2. Has an idea about how history has developed and why
3. Examines the role of he state
, Liberalism
Liberalism- a political ideology that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy and free enterprise
Origins in the Enlightenment Era (17th and 18th century)
• questions about traditional authority and the belief in reason, rationality, questioning and analysis
• A radical change in politics, philosophy and economics at the time
The Enlightenment era (aka the Age of Reason)
• change in beliefs
• Foundational qualities found
• People could think for themselves
• Government got closer to the people
• Toleration
• An intellectual and philosophical movement
• Traveling was made much easier, thus trade (coffee, tea, tobacco)
What do liberals believe?
1. Individualism
2. Equality and social justice
3. Rationalism
4. Liberal democracy
5. The state
6. Freedom and liberty
The core ideas of liberalism
• Egotistical aka self interest
they believe every individual seeks self realization, self determination and self fulfillment
• Rational
our behavior is respectful to others
• Progressive
Human nature is constantly progressing and developing through greater knowledge
• Optimistic Harm principle- views and
Liberals are optimistic abt the human condition and reject the idea of original sin actions we dislike should
still be tolerated as long
as they do not harm the
View of society as a liberal liberty of others
• the natural society (not dependent upon the existence of the state)
has natural rights, natural laws and natural justice
• individualistic society
where max. Number of individuals can pursue self realization and self determination
• the tolerant society
support for minorities, the state should tolerate all actions and opinions unless they were shown to violate the
harm principle
, View of the economy as a liberal
• defense of private property
belief in the private ownership of property, providing a sense of independence
• defense of capitalism and inequality
Enthusiasm for capitalism, liberals support for a capitalist economy (the free market and the invisible hand)
View of the state: foundations
• rejection of anarchism
• Rejection of traditional/pre enlightenment sates
states with kings, monarchs has, arbitrary power and hereditary poised were illegitimate
• The contractual state
the consent of the governed
View of the state: objectives
• promotion of natural rights
the right to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of self fulfillment
• equal opportunities, unequal outcomes
Liberalists believe that every individual is born equal with equal rights, thus the state should treat everyone equally, it
should provide everyone with equal opportunities for self fulfillment
However, liberal states are less concerned abt equality of outcome (it is inevitable)
• promotion of tolerance
Aims to provide tolerance through its laws and institutions
Views of the state: structures and mechanisms
• a constitutional limited state
They believe the states power should be limited, and the governed should agree
• a fragmented state
it is argues that power is more likely to be exercised wisely if it shared evenly, dispersed state power
• a representative state
representative of the citizens it serves and allows rational discussions
• a meritocratic state
a liberal state should be governed by those who have earned it rather than inherited their authority
2023-2024
, Ideology- An Introduction
Ideology is the science of ideas
Role of ideas in politics
1. Some believe its mere propaganda
2. Some believe political ideas could only be understood in the light of economic or class interests
3. Some believe the world is ruled by the ideas of economic theorists and political philosophers
Political theory and political practice
• shape the nature of the political systems
• They structure the political understanding and so set goals and inspire activism
• As a form of social cement
Views of Ideology
• a political belief system
• An action orientated set of political ideas
• The idea of a ruling class
• The world view of a particular social class or social group
• Political ideas that embody or articulate class or social interests
• Ideas that propagate false consciousness amongst the exploited
• Ideas that situate the individual within a social context
• Officially sanctioned set of ideas used to legitimize a political system
• An all embracing political doctrine that claims the truth
• An abstract and highly systematic set of political ideas
Marxist meaning of an ideology- ideology as a delusion and mystification
Ideology- describes a coherent system of philosophical, police’s, social and economic ideas with a specific structure
1. Has a concept of human essence
2. Has an idea about how history has developed and why
3. Examines the role of he state
, Liberalism
Liberalism- a political ideology that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy and free enterprise
Origins in the Enlightenment Era (17th and 18th century)
• questions about traditional authority and the belief in reason, rationality, questioning and analysis
• A radical change in politics, philosophy and economics at the time
The Enlightenment era (aka the Age of Reason)
• change in beliefs
• Foundational qualities found
• People could think for themselves
• Government got closer to the people
• Toleration
• An intellectual and philosophical movement
• Traveling was made much easier, thus trade (coffee, tea, tobacco)
What do liberals believe?
1. Individualism
2. Equality and social justice
3. Rationalism
4. Liberal democracy
5. The state
6. Freedom and liberty
The core ideas of liberalism
• Egotistical aka self interest
they believe every individual seeks self realization, self determination and self fulfillment
• Rational
our behavior is respectful to others
• Progressive
Human nature is constantly progressing and developing through greater knowledge
• Optimistic Harm principle- views and
Liberals are optimistic abt the human condition and reject the idea of original sin actions we dislike should
still be tolerated as long
as they do not harm the
View of society as a liberal liberty of others
• the natural society (not dependent upon the existence of the state)
has natural rights, natural laws and natural justice
• individualistic society
where max. Number of individuals can pursue self realization and self determination
• the tolerant society
support for minorities, the state should tolerate all actions and opinions unless they were shown to violate the
harm principle
, View of the economy as a liberal
• defense of private property
belief in the private ownership of property, providing a sense of independence
• defense of capitalism and inequality
Enthusiasm for capitalism, liberals support for a capitalist economy (the free market and the invisible hand)
View of the state: foundations
• rejection of anarchism
• Rejection of traditional/pre enlightenment sates
states with kings, monarchs has, arbitrary power and hereditary poised were illegitimate
• The contractual state
the consent of the governed
View of the state: objectives
• promotion of natural rights
the right to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of self fulfillment
• equal opportunities, unequal outcomes
Liberalists believe that every individual is born equal with equal rights, thus the state should treat everyone equally, it
should provide everyone with equal opportunities for self fulfillment
However, liberal states are less concerned abt equality of outcome (it is inevitable)
• promotion of tolerance
Aims to provide tolerance through its laws and institutions
Views of the state: structures and mechanisms
• a constitutional limited state
They believe the states power should be limited, and the governed should agree
• a fragmented state
it is argues that power is more likely to be exercised wisely if it shared evenly, dispersed state power
• a representative state
representative of the citizens it serves and allows rational discussions
• a meritocratic state
a liberal state should be governed by those who have earned it rather than inherited their authority
