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Labeling our Ideas:. Contrasting Political Ideologies. Political ideologies. A set of ideas, perceptions, values & beliefs through which individuals interpret social, political and economic events and formulate opinions on how the world ought to be Like a ‘filter’ or ‘lens’
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Labeling our Ideas: Contrasting Political Ideologies
Political ideologies • A set of ideas, perceptions, values & beliefs through which individuals interpret social, political and economic events and formulate opinions on how the world ought to be • Like a ‘filter’ or ‘lens’ • Ideologies shape our attitudes & actions
Definition • Ideology: a set of more or less coherent set of ideas that provides a basis for organized political action. This might be to preserve, modify or overthrow the existing system of power relationships • offer an account of the existing order usually in the form of a ’world view’ • offer a model of a desired future • outline how political change can and should be brought about • At a fundamental level = a political philosophy • At an operative level = broad political movement
Mapping the Ideological Landscape • Understanding the traditional ‘grand ideologies’ of liberal capitalist society: • Conservatism • Liberalism • Socialism
Main political ideologies • Liberalism • Classical • Modern • Conservatism • The New Right • Neo-liberalism • Neo conservatism • Socialism • Variants of marxism • Social democracy • Third way
Other ideological traditions • Fascism • Anarchism • Feminism • Environmentalism • Religious fundamentalism
Political Culture • Political Culture: • A set of ideas, assumptions and values that condition political attitudes and behaviour • A ‘collective phenomena’ – people don’t have political cultures, communities or societies do • Shaped by the dominant ideology, but comprised of several (mainstream) ideologies • Sets the boundaries of the dominant ‘common sense’
To conclude • Ideologies link political theory with political practice • BJP in India; Taleban in Afghanistan; New Right in Europe and USA; etc. • Ideologies ’fit’ contexts and therefore become weakened and/or changed over time as contexts change. The ’relevance’ factor. • Ideologies often carry their own seeds of destruction as they are resistant to change. • But they are important to understand how politics are approached and promoted