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POSC 150

POSC 150. Introduction to Political Theory Braunwarth. Ideology. Definition: A coherent set of ideas that links thought with action Features: Coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that explains and evaluates social conditions Helps people understand their place in society

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POSC 150

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  1. POSC 150 Introduction to Political Theory Braunwarth

  2. Ideology • Definition: A coherent set of ideas that links thought with action • Features: • Coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that explains and evaluates social conditions • Helps people understand their place in society • Provides a program for social and political action • Four functions: Explanatory, Evaluative, Orientative, Programmatic

  3. Ideologies and Religion • Religions perform similar roles • But tend to be concerned with the supernatural and the divine • Ideologies are more interested with the here and now on this earth • Political ideologies aim to help people live as well as possible in this world

  4. Human Nature • Implicit in each ideology is some conception of human nature • Are we competitive or cooperative? • Is human nature constructed differently under different ideological systems?

  5. Freedom • All ideologies claim to promote freedom • But define freedom in different ways • Human nature and freedom are essentially contested concepts • Freedom (and ideologies) includes • an agent, • a barrier or obstacle blocking the agent, • and a goal at which the agent aims

  6. History • Those who forget the past may be doomed to repeat its mistakes (Santayana) • Without the past, one can’t understand themselves or the world in which they live • Our minds, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes are shaped by earlier ideological conflict • If we wish to act effectively and live peacefully, we need to know about our and others’ political ideologies

  7. Thinking Ideologically • We are going to evaluate a number of different ideologies • With each section, try to think from the perspective of that ideology • Do not dismiss simply because it conflicts with your own ideology • The intention is not to convert but to develop a better understanding of others

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