Social 30 Ideologies

1. Social 30Ideologies

2. IDEOLOGY AND VALUES • What is an ideology? • An ideology is a set of values, beliefs, and attitudes. • How did you come to be the way you are? • A combination of many things has helped to shape our beliefs. One thing that sticks out is the value of experience

3. VALUES • Values are subjective and personal • What does subjective mean? • What does objective mean? Political affiliation, societal priorities, whether you prefer a fork or a spoon, boxers or briefs, comes down to what you value. In society the most important issue that personal values determine, revolve around the role of the individual in society

4. Understanding Ideologies • Collectivism • Realize potential as part of a group • Gain identity by being interrelated • Individualism • Don’t need group to attain individual worth • Identity is established by personal qualities What environments are you in that show these two sides?

5. Understanding Ideologies Liberalism John Locke (1634-1704) & J.S. Mill (1806-1873) • Individual rights and freedom of choice are promoted. • Gov’t exists to promote personal freedom and reduce inequities in society • Belief that all humans have equal opportunity, not necessarily needing equality, just equality of opportunity.

6. Understanding Ideologies Liberalism cont’d • It is important to understand that the rise of liberalism took place in environments where only the privileged had power. The rest of the population was powerless…held down by the government and the church….inspiration brought a movement that inspired masses

7. Understanding Ideologies Liberalism cont’d • Locke- Believed in the innate goodness of people, therefore the government’s role was to provide protection for those individuals that lived as responsible citizens. Government was to be accountable to the people, role was to protect otherwise individuals would be free. Liberalism emphasized, for the first time, the people having ultimate power over government.

8. Understanding Ideologies Liberalism cont’d • John Stuart Mill’s ideas became prominent at the tale end of the industrial revolution…Why? Liberals saw the suffering of many but still liked the new freedoms that capitalism created. Mill proposed legislation that protected civil liberty while still allowing for economic freedom. Sounds like Canada, doesn’t it?

9. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism • Edmund Burke (1729-1797) • Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) • Conservatives value the past, traditions, old school…… • Stressed that humans need to respect the past.

10. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism cont’d • If there are going to be reforms they should be implemented slowly and gradually. • Conservatism naturally leads to societal stratification, where through natural weeding the elite will be at the top of the food chain. Knowing this they are the only ones equipped to lead society.

11. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism cont’d • At the tale end of Burke’s life he witnessed the French Revolution. The social upheaval was enough to send any ‘old’ conservative to his grave. • Why do you think? • Burke would have thought the masses were not ‘built properly’ to lead society.

12. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism cont’d • Thomas Hobbes was old school…so much so that his favorite government was one where an absolute monarch existed. • Hobbes didn’t trust people, and unlike Locke, saw the need for control. Why do you think he would want control?

13. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism cont’d • Hobbes believed in the theory of utilitarianism, where the choices made by the government are done with the idea of creating happiness for the greatest number of people. • So Hobbes actually thought that only a strong leader could create this security and order so that everybody would benefit.

14. Understanding Ideologies Conservatism cont’d • Restrictions put on people would allow the government to keep order…and society would prosper. • Hobbes realized that the only way to maintain order was with a strong military Liberalism and Conservatism are two of the main political ideologies. Your views now can be classified using these two ideologies. What do you value? Take a minute to think about it

15. Understanding Ideologies • What do these ideologies mean to you, especially when analyzing prominent politicians? • What does ‘today’s liberal is tomorrow’s conservative’ mean to you?

16. Understanding Ideologies Capitalism • Adam Smith(1723-1790) • Capitalism is synonymous with many terms that are linked to the government being removed from private industry…can you name some? • The theory behind capitalism is simple. Allow businesses to run unhindered by the government and they will run more efficiently.

17. Understanding Ideologies Capitalism cont’d • The intent behind capitalism and Smith’s belief revolves heavily around competition. Competition within the marketplace will force the producer to create a better, and ultimately more affordable, product. Why? Because consumers are sharp and their actions force producers to adjust and create products that serve consumer needs. • Consumers are sovereign!!!!

18. Understanding Ideologies Capitalism cont’d • When the government is involved in the marketplace- taxes etc- then this does not allow the natural cycle of supply and demand to take place. For better and for worse, supply and demand weeds out producers that just can’t compete. • The capitalist believes strongly in the trickle down effect. This thrusts the focus on the producer creating for various elements of society.

19. Understanding Ideologies Capitalism cont’d • The trickle down effect believes that if the wealthy are left alone to do what they do best- then money that could have gone towards the gov’t will now go towards expanding business and CREATING JOBS. • There is very much a Social Darwinistic element to classic capitalism. • Idea=production=competition=profit= = benefit for many

20. Understanding Ideologies Capitalism cont’d • Smith’s ideas were brought about to fuel the industrial revolution and were seen in his book ‘An inquiry into the Nature and causes of the Wealth of Nations’. • Most nations of the world today practice some form of capitalism. Even Canada with our Welfare Capitalist system follows Smith’s advice….How? One way is that businesses are often given tax breaks and subsidies resulting in our government earning most of it’s revenue through personal income tax.

21. Understanding Ideologies Socialism • Socialism involves the collective owning the means of production. Welfare of society prioritized over the individual. • In response to the horrible atrocities of the industrial revolution, and capitalism, an ideology was promoted that would allow the masses to control the means of production and not leave it to the new class of entrepreneurs. • Karl Marx(1818-1883) could not sit idly by as an elite bourgeoisie became wealthy off of the backs of the proletariat majority.

22. Understanding Ideologies Socialism cont’d • Marx’s theory, named Marxism or scientific socialism, was created in collaboration with his buddy Friedrich Engels. • Marx first defined life as a class struggle. The wealthy and powerful vs the poor and powerless. • Marx saw the disparity between groups grow as a result of the industrial revolution and was bent on putting a halt to it.

23. Understanding Ideologies Socialism cont’d • Marx felt that this new class of greedy capitalists would not allow society to change so the only way to gain power and control of the means of production was through a revolution…..a bloody and violent revolution.

24. Understanding Ideologies Socialism cont’d • Prior to Marx, utopian socialists, like Robert Owen, saw the abuses of Capitalism and thought they could change it from within, unlike Marx they did not subscribe to the bloodshed. • Robert Owen(1771-1858) even went so far as to create a model village in New Lanark, Scotland. The belief was that profits would rise when workers were treated well. • Charles Fourier(1772-1837) put in place government funded national workshops but the costs were too much.

25. Understanding Ideologies Socialism cont’d • Modern versions of Owen’s and Marx’s ideals can be found throughout the world. The one man that the communists can credit for implementing Marx’s ideals is Vladimir Lenin. • Lenin saw the world split apart and instead of a simple class difference it was a bigger problem between countries. He wrote a book called ‘Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. Corporations and Nations would further disparity in the world.

26. Understanding Ideologies Socialism cont’d • Modern communist nations of today are North Korea and Cuba…however the ideals of equality and the collective have spurred other nations to create a more gentle socialism, this is democratic socialism. Sweden and Norway are current examples of democratic socialism in practice.

27. Understanding Ideologies Fascism • Fascism is the brainchild of Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler. It arose out of the social and economic problems found in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. • Fascism has some very important ingredients. Extreme nationalism, authoritarian political control- dictatorship, and capitalism. The capitalism that is promoted allows for entrepreneurs but it is a state directed capitalism.

28. Understanding Ideologies Fascism cont’d • Due to mass unemployment and general social upheaval the idea of a ‘strong man’ ruling, appealed to many people in Europe. • Italy fell under Mussolini’s spell in the early 20s. Germany would fall under Hitler’s rule in the early 30s. Spain would fall to Franco in the late 30s.

29. Understanding Ideologies Fascism cont’d • Fascism can be found on the extreme right of the spectrum. It is here where the ‘elite’ are valued and tradition is upheld. • Remember the fascists love their country therefore every individual must relinquish some control to the state. • As well because they love their country and ‘glory’, the military will be a high priority.

30. Understanding Ideologies Anarchism Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921) • The source of corruption are the rules put in place that inhibit humans and the free will that we are born with. • The anarchist believes that if we rid ourselves of rules then we can live in a blissful world based on mutual agreement.

31. Understanding Ideologies Anarchism cont’d • The anarchist believes strongly in equality and puts a lot of faith in humanity to be respectful. • What do you think of when you hear the word anarchy? Most of us think of chaos…Kropotkin obviously does not agree.

32. Democracy • The Greeks were the originators of what you call DEMOCRACY. We took our people (demos) and our government (kratia) and put them together in what you call a government for the people by the people.

33. DEMOCRACY Here are the features of a DEMOCRACY. • #1 Majority Rule Gov’t acts according to the wishes of the majority with respect minority. • #2 Citizen Participation Adults get to participate. The people choose! • #3 Accountability • Power is limited by a Constitution and Elections keep officials in check. • Another thing that exists is responsible gov’t.. Ask me about it.

34. DEMOCRACY • #4 Responsibilities of Citizens You have to get involved in the political process and follow the law….. • #5 Minority Rights In a democracy, minorities have the right to dissent and challenge. Majority must respect the wishes of the minority- an effective body when listened to. • #6 Guarantee Ind. Rights and FreedomsThe constitution forces the gov’t to protect rights and freedoms- Freedom of press/expression/ association. A national emergency ……

35. DEMOCRACY • #7 Opposition You have the right to question the gov’t. Dissent!!! • #8 Limits on Dissent Even when you disagree with the majority you have to follow their wishes peacefully. • #9 Provisions for Change to the System You wanna change the system you gotta change the constitution. Debate is encouraged and Participation is needed. • #10 Political Parties PP and interest groups are allowed to exist. Freedom of association is a big deal.

36. CONDEMNING DEMOCRACY Democracy isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Here are a few problems. • Majority Tyranny-majority does not respect minority rights • Dominance of special interest groups- groups with power and money can have a ton of influence. • Political Apathy- People take for granted the freedom they have

37. CONDEMNING DEMOCRACY • Inefficiency and political deadlock- Debate and discussion takes time. Consultation takes time • Campaign donations and financing- The wealthy can have a ton of power if not restricted. As well it seems as if only wealthy run for office. • Corruption- Freedom and cash can lead to abuse…..

38. On the Other hand… Features of Dictatorship • Authoritarian Rule • Power is concentrated in the hands of a few People. Peeps identify with ruler. • Use of Force • Strong military and secret police exist to keep gov’t in power. • Few provisions for change to system • Leader won’t give up power easily, things won’t change until death- struggle for power after death.

39. DICTATORSHIP • Indoctrination • Media usually controlled by gov’t become a voice for it. All info is controlled. Youth groups, education all geared to support gov’t now and in future. • Controlled Participation Participation in system is very limited. Never free- exhibit to world you are but gov’t controls everything. No/Weak political competition

40. DICTATORSHIP • Limits on Dissent • People are monitored closely so they don’t get the chance to speak out or they’ll be killed. • Don’t speak out it’s that simple • Limited Accountability • Ruler only accountable to him/her self. Checks do not exist. Big time corruption unhindered

41. 5 Basic Authoritarian Gov’ts Absolute Monarchs • Absolute monarchs are autocrats that usually rule through the family – power passed on through tradition, religion, or God. • Monarch holds power over other government offices if they do exist.

42. 5 Basic Authoritarian Gov’ts One Person Autocratic Rule • Personality of leader paramount • Regime maintained by force, leader controls all. ______________________________ Oligarchy • Gov’ts led by elite group • Could be a family, ethnic minority or social group. • Elite rules to further its interests • Limited civil liberties and human rights.

43. 5 Basic Authoritarian Gov’ts Military Dictatorship • Military personnel control all key political positions as part of a ‘junta’ • Junta controls all executive and legislative functions of gov’t. • Direct military rule is the basis of authority.

44. 5 Basic Authoritarian Gov’ts Like all dictatorships……things must come to an end. • Minority Tyranny • Small minority enjoys full political rights and restricts the rights of the majority • Apartheid in South Africa led to only WHITE South Africans having full political rights

45. Apartheid

46. Totalitarianism • Create a new and perfect society where the state controls all. • One highly organized party with only elite members controlling all. • Secret Police ensure mass compliance. • Media is controlled and indoctrinates the masses • Military is gov’t run • Centrally directed/controlled economy. Know features – Italy/Germany

47. DICTATORSHIPS suck why? • Lack of legitimacy- people did not choose and power is gained through force. • Inefficiency/Bureaucracy- too many people trying to keep order for the big man. • Unchecked Corruption- Too much abuse- The elite never suffer.

48. DICTATORSHIPS suck why? • Widespread apathy/cynicism- People are defeated and lack passion to resist. Challenge is beaten out of them • Power struggles over succession- I think you can understand this • Elitism- One group will usually dominate at the expense of others.