political ideologies

1. IV. Political Ideologies
Political Ideology  Responsibility - being responsible for oneself and one’s own economic and
- A belief system that explains and justifies a preferred economic and governmental social circumstance
order for society, offers strategies for its maintenance or attainment and helps give  Justice - morally justifiable distribution of rewards and punishment
meaning to public events, personalities and policies.
 Tolerance - willingness to accept views or actions that one disagrees
An ideology is a collection of ideas. Other organizations that comprise the broad liberal movement in the Philippines
 National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS)
Typically, each ideology contains certain ideas on what it considers to be the best  Alliance of Liberal Youth (ALY)
form of government (e.g. democracy, autocracy, etc.), and the best economic system  Liberal Caucus of Congressional Staff (LCCS)
(e.g. capitalism, socialism, etc.).
Other liberal organizations working worldwide
Political ideologies are concerned with:  Liberal International
The proper function of government  Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)
The issues of liberty and equality  International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)
The distribution of goods and services  Friedrich Naumann Foundation
2 dimensions of Political ideologies : Reemerging Party
Goals: How society should be organized.  Restoring trust in government
Methods: The most appropriate way to achieve this goal.  Making democracy work for the poor
 Promoting compassion for others
A. Liberalism  Bringing back honesty and decency in public service
– An ideology committed to the individual and a society in which the individual can
Classic Liberalism
pursue and realize their interests.
 Government should play a minimal role in society.
 begins with the assumption that individuals are rational beings capable of
 A government that governs least governs best.
overcoming obstacles to progress without resorting to violence.
 A strong government is dangerous to liberty.
 a term rooted in the Latin word liber which means free; advocates liberty.
 Government should step out of the way and allow economic competition.
 John Locke (1632-1704)
 Addressed the needs of the business class.
English philosopher who is often called the father of liberalism
 Key Idea: Minimal government and property rights.
In his writings he argued in favor of limited government and protection
for individual rights. Contemporary Liberalism
Rejected the popular doctrine of the divine right of kings.  Government should be responsible for assisting individuals, businesses, and
communities in dealing with social and economic problems.
What is the fundamental liberal principle?  Government should ensure the economic well being of a nation and should
-The fundamental liberal principle grants primacy to liberty as a political provide basic material guarantees (food, shelter, health care, and
value. education) to every individual.
What are the core liberal values?  Government should stay out of social issues.
 Tolerance for different lifestyles.
 Individualism - belief in the importance of the individual over any social
 Address the needs of unemployed, and farmers.
group or collective body
 Rationalism - exercise of human reason and critical inquiry Contemporary classical liberals call themselves Libertarians.
 Freedom - ability to think or act as one wish Favor strict limits on state action
Believe the individual is more important than the state
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2. IV. Political Ideologies
Believe in the maximum amount of freedom as long as no one is injured,  Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France
exploited, or forced. The experience of past generations was the most reliable guide to good
government
Policy Stances Customs, traditions, and laws should not be discarded
 Abortion: support People were not equal in ability or talent
 Stem cell research: support
 Gun control: support Traditional Burkean Conservatism
 Civil unions/same sex marrriage: support Traditional morality is more important than individual liberty
Individuals are incapable of using their reason to run their own lives
Neoliberals
smoothly.
In the past liberals focused on:
Society is best arrange when individuals who are natural rulers do the
• Economic issues
ruling.
• Government's obligation to assist the needy
Humans have a fundamental need for order and control.
In recent decades liberals focused on:
• Social and foreign policy issues Who are the Conservatives?
• This angered those who identified with the liberal movement -Usually they belong to the Republican Party.
• Liberals became associated with negative feelings
Conservatives support constitutional amendments restricting abortion and
Neoliberalism permitting prayer in public schools.
 To help bring the liberal movement back, neoliberalism was introduced.
Policy Stances
 Neoliberalism - a form of liberalism that emphasizes the promotion of
 Abortion: oppose
wealth rather than it redistribution, and the reform of military practices
 Stem cell research: oppose
rather than reductions in military spending.
 Gun control: oppose
 Neoliberals direct their attention not to expanding government services, but
 Civil unions/same sex marriage: oppose
to their effective delivery.
 Neoliberals also criticize the size and costs of the government bureaucracy Contemporary conservatism
 Fiscal responsibility  Reduced spending on social programs
 Revamping tax policies
Who Are The Liberals?
 Strong defense
-Usually they are found in the Democratic party.
 Duty of government to promote virtuous citizenry
Constituencies include:
Neoconservatism
- Minorities
 Skepticism of government's ability to solve social and economic problems
- Labor movement
 Acceptance of modest welfare state
- Feminists
 Creation, not redistribution of wealth
- Poor
 Assertive foreign policy
B. Conservatism
– An ideology that is generally thought of as seeking to conserve or preserve
some reality.
 Conservatism-holds that established customs, laws, and traditions, should
guide society.
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