lu 3

• Ideology


  A belief system that society can be improved by following certain doctrines; usually ends in "ism"
• Ideologue


  Those who pursue certain ideologies
• Ideology


  The term combines two Greek roots: eidos (knowledge) and logos (word) - "words of knowledge"
• Ideology


  A study of the process of forming ideas (Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy, 1796)
• Ideology


  A set of beliefs about the proper order of society and how it can be achieved (Erikson & Tedin, 2003)
• Ideology


  • Comprehensive (includes ideas about many great matters)
  • Pervasive (has shaped the political beliefs and actions of many people)
• Ideology


  • Extensive (directed towards the masses)
  • Intensive (commands a strong commitment from many of its adherents)
• Ideology


  • Identifies values that are more important than others
  • Provides a vision of the ideal polity
• Intellectual components of ideology

  • Conception of human nature
  • Strategy of action
  • Political tactics
• Intellectual components of ideology


  Addresses human beings' basic psychological needs<|>Addresses the historical background<|>A point of departure to understand surroundings<|>A tool to inspire a movement/group/community/person
• Major political ideologies


  • Classic liberalism
  • Classic conservatism
  • Modern liberalism
  • Modern conservatism
  • Marxist socialism
  • Social democracy
  • Communism
  • Nationalism
  • Fascism
• Classic liberalism

  Laissez-faire economics, free movement of goods, massive production, challenge to mercantilism, no government interference, role of the "hidden hand"
• Classic conservatism


  Popularised by Edmund Burke, liberalism could cause tyranny, traditions, religion & morality should be "conserved"
• Modern liberalism


  Criticised the working of the original liberalism, free economic system could be unfair to the poor, emphasises on freedom and the people's well-being, champions wage, hour laws, unions, health insurance, education opportunities, the rich to pay higher taxes
• Modern conservatism


  A combination of Adam Smith's economic ideas and Edmund Burke's traditional ideas, conservation of past traditions and norms, government should regulate private business minimally or not at all, government's highest obligation is to make sure that the people are guided by traditional values and institutions
• Marxist socialism


  Initiated by Karl Marx, to promote "a just, productive society without class distinctions", criticised the workings of capitalist system
• Social democracy


  Developed by Eduard Bernstein, revolution is unnecessary, emphasise on welfare measures to improve living conditions, states espousing social democracy have become welfare states
• Communism

  Born after several changes made in Marxism by Vladimir Lenin, Lenin promoted a revolution against imperialist power to free "exploited nations", formed Bolshevik Party and Communist International, Maoism and Titoism
• Nationalism


  Motivated by the desire to free oneself from the control of foreign powers, feeling of oneness or a sense of belonging to one's country, more widespread & successful than any other ideologies, regional nationalism
• Fascism


  A nationalist movement in Germany & Italy, strong discipline & order, led by Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany, blended with race
• Communism has to adapt according to contemporary context, glasnot, perestroika, & demokratizatzia in Soviet Union
• What happens to communism today? Has capitalism survived?
• New ideology? - neoconservatism - promotes American value & its standing in the international arena i.e. war in Iraq
• What happens to ideology today?

  • Libertarianism
  • Feminism
  • Environmentalism
• End of ideology & the rise of welfare state? (Daniel Bell)
• Capitalist system (capitalist democracy ) has triumphed & the end of history? (Francis Fukuyama)
• No other ideology to challenge liberal democracy - it is the best?
• Is there a future for ideology?