20 th Century Ideologies

1. 20th Century Ideologies Types of Ideologies

2. Liberalism • Stresses individual rights and freedom of choice • Includes the idea of decentralized government but one that does promote personal freedom and reduce inequities • Faith in human progress • Respect for sovereignty of the reasoning individual

3. Proponents of Liberalism • John Locke and John Stuart Mill believed human beings are equal and independent. • They believed that humans have certain inalienable rights such as the right to life, liberty, equality and ownership of property.

4. Conservatism • Belief that individuals and society have a moral responsibility to respect past traditions, customs and habits. • When individuals and society wish to make reforms, they must be slow and gradual. • Belief that society should structured in an hierarchical fashion.

5. Proponent of Conservatism • Edmund Burke believed society should be structured in a hierarchy with those best suited to leadership at the top, because people do not have equal abilities. • Government should be chosen by a limited electorate with special rights, responsibilities, and privileges. • Stability must be achieved through law and order and the maintenance of customs and traditions that bind society together.

6. Socialism • Associated with the writings of Karl Marx. • Based on the concepts of class struggle. • Where Marxism focused on violent revolution to create a classless society, Socialism focused on peaceful social change in the interest of the working class. • Belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society.

7. Proponent of Socialism • Robert Owen believed that the harshness of life under capitalism corrupted human nature. • Believed that education was the key to a humane society. • Belief that everyone should be beneficially employed. • Believed that living and working conditions needed to improve for all.

8. Communism • Radical form of socialism • According to Karl Marx, the only way to overthrow capitalism was through a class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie—which would then bring about significant change to society. • Belief that society should be classless. • The state should direct the economy to achieve economic equality for all citizens.

10. Proponents of Communism • Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles elaborated on the ideas of Marxism in the Communist Manifesto. • Ideas such as abolition of private property, centralization of factories and free education for all were promoted. • Vladimir Lenin expanded on Marx’s ideas for the purpose of carrying out the Russian Revolution and establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat in the USSR.