Chapter 5


Political Ideologies I
Capitalism, Socialism, and
Democracy
Democratic Capitalism
 Free Market Capitalism or Laissez-faire Capitalism

• Private ownership of property
• No legal limit on the accumulation of property
• The free market – no government intervention
  in the economy
• The profit motive as the driving force
• Profit as the measure of efficiency
Adam Smith (1723-1790)

• Intellectual father of capitalism
• Human beings motivated by self-interest
  • Individuals should be free (free market) to
    pursue their interests (profit).
     • Results in the most efficient economic system
     • Everyone will benefit
         • Goods will be produced
         • Jobs will be created
         • Economy will be stimulated and grow
John Maynard Keynes
(1883-1946)


• Some government regulation
  necessary
  • The Great Depression
• People should be protected from
  radical shifts in economic fortune
Mixed Economy
• Government regulation in U.S.
  • Growth during the Johnson
    Administration
  • Decline since Reagan
    Administration
Capitalism and Democracy

• Capitalists believe democracy requires
  capitalism
  • Freedom based on private property
  • Capitalism stresses private property
• Capitalists believe that government
  regulation destroys individualism and
  liberty
Criticisms of
Democratic Capitalism
• Extremes of wealth and poverty
  • Capitalists view
     • Poverty the fault of the poor
     • Poverty overcome through economic growth
• Political power of the wealthy
• Inequality between employer and employee
  • Fosters undemocratic attitudes leading to
    authoritarianism in the employer and servility in
    the worker.
Democratic Socialism
Social Democracy
• Much property held by the public through
  democratically elected government
• Limit on the accumulation of private property
• Governmental regulation of economy
• Extensive publicly financed assistance and
  pension programs
• Social costs and provision of services a
  measure of efficiency
Socialism

• Origins traced back to biblical
  times
• Citizens should have some say
  in economic decision-making
• Only way to ensure solutions to basic social
  problems
• Some degree of redistribution of income and
  limitation of private property.
Socialism and Democracy
• Participation in political decision making
  should include economic decision making
  • Voters should be able to control their economic
    futures through the government they elect.
     • Government regulates the economy it does not own
       directly
     • Ensure that privately owned businesses operate in
       best interest of society
• Liberty cannot be maintained without
  economic security
Criticisms of
Democratic Socialism
• Free market is essential for efficient
  production and distribution of goods
• Government ownership and regulation puts
  too much power in the hands of government
• Motivation
  • Capitalists believe humans motivated by self-
    interest
  • Socialists believe humans motivated by the desire
    to serve
Current Trends

• The Third Way
  • The attempt to find a way between
    capitalism and socialism
  • Use whatever policy works!
• Economic Democracy
  • Ownership of companies by workers
  • Workers actively involved in decision
    making that gives them significant authority
Conservatism, Liberalism,
and Democracy
Conservatism and Liberalism
with Democracy
1. General sets of attitudes toward
   change, human nature, and tradition
2. Positions taken at different times and
   places by identifiable groups of people
3. They have different histories in
   different countries
Democracy

• Capitalists vs.
  Socialists
• Conservatives
  vs. Liberals
Conservatism

1. Resistance to change
2. Reverence for tradition and distrust of
   human reason
3. Rejection of use of government to improve
   the human condition
4. Preference for individual freedom, but will
   limit freedom to maintain traditional values
5. Distrust of human nature
Edmund Burke
(1729-97)

• Founder of modern
  conservatism
• Social institutions slowly
  evolve over time to fit
  needs and conditions
• Advocate of slow, gradual
  change
Liberalism

1. A tendency to favor change
2. Faith in human reason
3. Willingness to use government to
   improve the human condition
4. Preference for individual freedom
5. Greater optimism about human nature
   than conservatives
Hubert Humphrey
(1911-78)

• “Liberals fully recognize that
  change is inevitable in the
  patterns of society and in the
  challenges which confront
  man.”
• People should keep trying to
  improve society.
• Change can be directed and
  controlled for human benefit.
Contemporary
Conservatism
• In the United States:
  • A belief in traditional values centered
    on the home, family and religion
  • A belief in capitalism, opposition to
    government regulation of economy,
    and support of a balanced budget
  • A belief in a strong military, opposition
    to communism and giving authority to
    international organizations
The New Right
• Radical Right of the 1950s
• Concerned with social issues centered
  primarily on the family, religion, and
  education
  •   Abortion
  •   Busing to integrate schools
  •   Pornography
  •   Prayer in schools
  •   Local control of education
• Does not believe in separation of church
  and state
Contemporary
Liberalism
• In the United States
  • A belief in freedom of choice
     • Pro-choice position on abortion
     • Advocate rights for women and minorities
  • A belief in use of government intervention
    in the economy to regulate it
  • A belief in the need to work within the
    international community for peaceful
    resolution of conflicts
The Extreme
• There are extremists on
  both ends of the political
  spectrum
• Right wing extremism in U.S.
   • Oklahoma bombing
   • Militia movement
• Left wing extremism in U.S.
   • Treehuggers
   • Greenpeace
   • Communist Party USA
Marxism -- Leninism
Marxism

• The political,
  economic, and
  social principles
  and policies
  advocated by Karl
  Marx
Marxism

• A theory and practice
  of socialism including
  • The labor theory of
    value
  • Dialectical materialism
  • The class struggle
  • Dictatorship of the proletariat
• Leading to the establishment of a
  classless society
Alienation
• Being cut off
• Human meaning of
  capitalism for Marx:
  • Labor sold like an object
  • What sold is part of a human being
     • No longer whole human being
     • Unable to establish full human relationships
  • People cut off from self, others, and work
• The condition Marx wanted to change
The Economy

• Economic relationships
  the foundation of social
  systems
  • Capitalism condemned
    by Marx
     • An essential stage in the
       development to socialism
     • The most progressive
       economic system
       developed so far
Fundamental
Fact of Life
• People must produce
  goods before they can do
  anything else.
  • They must also reproduce
    themselves
  • But they can’t do that unless
    they are capable of feeding
    themselves
• Thus, material production or economic
  relationships are basic to all life.
Marxian
 Economics


• Labor theory of value
• Doctrine of subsistence wages
  • Only paying workers enough to keep
    them alive
• Theory of surplus value
3 hours to
Worker given
                                  Produce good
$30 worth of
                                    Using $10
  material
                                  Worth of fuel




               Worker creates
               Product sold for
                   $100
• Labor, and only the labor, increased the
  value of the materials to $100
  • Worker entitled to $20/hour
  • If paid $15/hour, this is exploitation and is
    “surplus value” for the factory owner
• According to Labor Theory of Value, all
  profits are the rightful earnings of the
  workers.
• Marx called for
  • The elimination of profits
  • Workers to seize factories
  • The overthrow of the “tyranny” of capitalism
Class Struggle

• Struggle between the
  • Bourgeoisie (capitalists)
     • Class that controls production but does little if
       any work
     • Reaps immense profits
  • Proletariat (workers)
     • Class that does the actual labor
     • Production requires the proletariat, not the
       bourgeoisie
Problem of
Classification
• Peasantry
  • Landowners that do their own labor
     • Petite bourgeoisie?
     • Proletariat?
• The dregs of society
  • Make no contribution to production
     • Lumpenproletariat
• Revolution would solve the problem since it
  would lead to a one-class society
Revolution

• Class struggle will
  ultimately produce a
  revolution
  • We must move beyond
    understanding society to
    changing it
• Revolution both necessary and inevitable
  • Never happened
     • Colonial exploitation and imperialism
Types of
Revolution
• Political Revolution
   • Political power seized by the proletariat
   • Usually violent
      • Change sudden
      • Bourgeoisie would never agree to its disappearance as a
        class
• Social Revolution
   • Takes place later
      • First, changes are made in property relations
      • Second, the superstructure adjusts to the changes
Lenin
• Developed the revolutionary
  party
  • Organized to overthrow
    capitalism
  • Proletarians too busy trying to stay alive
     • Party members would act on their behalf
• Democratic Centralism
  • Discussion completely free within the organization
    until a decision is made
  • Once a decision is made, all must support the
    decision
Dictatorship of the
Proletariat
• Brief transitional period
  • Period in which the superstructure would
    change to adjust to the socialist mode of
    production
     • Consolidation of the proletariat’s power
     • Gradual disappearance of the bourgeoisie and
       other minor classes
• In reality, no country has moved beyond
  the dictatorship of the proletariat
Full
Communism
• The goal of Marxism
  •   No classes
  •   The state withers away
  •   No money
  •   No religion
  •   No crime
  •   All work for the good of the society
• The goal of the entire system, the utopia
  toward which all else is aimed.
One Nation, Underprivileged



    Rank 5: True to Values
The Judeo-Christian Ethic
• The Old Testament:
  • The wealthy tend to
    close their “ear to the
    cry of the poor”
  • Wealth does not open
    the doors of heaven
  • Wealth can lead to
    the exploitation of the
    poor
Judgment

• According to the Old
  Testament,
  individuals,
  communities, and
  rulers are judged on
  the basis of how
  well they treat the
  downtrodden.
Religions and Creeds

• All major religions and
  creeds are practiced in
  the U.S.
• Most Americans
  associate with Judeo-
  Christianity
  • Religious beliefs based
    on the Bible
Civic Principles
• The founding
  principles and values
  that bind us together
  as a people
  •   Liberty
  •   Justice
  •   Equality
  •   Democracy
Liberty and Justice for All
“It does not make any sense for
    a nation to proclaim itself a
    democracy if there is
    widespread and structural
    participatory disparity within
    the nation. A nation that
    strives for democracy must
    make a commitment to
    alleviate the plight of
    disadvantaged groups.”
                     ~ Thomas Simon

Grigsby slides 5

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
    Democratic Capitalism FreeMarket Capitalism or Laissez-faire Capitalism • Private ownership of property • No legal limit on the accumulation of property • The free market – no government intervention in the economy • The profit motive as the driving force • Profit as the measure of efficiency
  • 4.
    Adam Smith (1723-1790) •Intellectual father of capitalism • Human beings motivated by self-interest • Individuals should be free (free market) to pursue their interests (profit). • Results in the most efficient economic system • Everyone will benefit • Goods will be produced • Jobs will be created • Economy will be stimulated and grow
  • 5.
    John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) •Some government regulation necessary • The Great Depression • People should be protected from radical shifts in economic fortune
  • 6.
    Mixed Economy • Governmentregulation in U.S. • Growth during the Johnson Administration • Decline since Reagan Administration
  • 7.
    Capitalism and Democracy •Capitalists believe democracy requires capitalism • Freedom based on private property • Capitalism stresses private property • Capitalists believe that government regulation destroys individualism and liberty
  • 8.
    Criticisms of Democratic Capitalism •Extremes of wealth and poverty • Capitalists view • Poverty the fault of the poor • Poverty overcome through economic growth • Political power of the wealthy • Inequality between employer and employee • Fosters undemocratic attitudes leading to authoritarianism in the employer and servility in the worker.
  • 9.
    Democratic Socialism Social Democracy •Much property held by the public through democratically elected government • Limit on the accumulation of private property • Governmental regulation of economy • Extensive publicly financed assistance and pension programs • Social costs and provision of services a measure of efficiency
  • 10.
    Socialism • Origins tracedback to biblical times • Citizens should have some say in economic decision-making • Only way to ensure solutions to basic social problems • Some degree of redistribution of income and limitation of private property.
  • 11.
    Socialism and Democracy •Participation in political decision making should include economic decision making • Voters should be able to control their economic futures through the government they elect. • Government regulates the economy it does not own directly • Ensure that privately owned businesses operate in best interest of society • Liberty cannot be maintained without economic security
  • 12.
    Criticisms of Democratic Socialism •Free market is essential for efficient production and distribution of goods • Government ownership and regulation puts too much power in the hands of government • Motivation • Capitalists believe humans motivated by self- interest • Socialists believe humans motivated by the desire to serve
  • 13.
    Current Trends • TheThird Way • The attempt to find a way between capitalism and socialism • Use whatever policy works! • Economic Democracy • Ownership of companies by workers • Workers actively involved in decision making that gives them significant authority
  • 14.
  • 15.
    Conservatism and Liberalism withDemocracy 1. General sets of attitudes toward change, human nature, and tradition 2. Positions taken at different times and places by identifiable groups of people 3. They have different histories in different countries
  • 16.
    Democracy • Capitalists vs. Socialists • Conservatives vs. Liberals
  • 17.
    Conservatism 1. Resistance tochange 2. Reverence for tradition and distrust of human reason 3. Rejection of use of government to improve the human condition 4. Preference for individual freedom, but will limit freedom to maintain traditional values 5. Distrust of human nature
  • 18.
    Edmund Burke (1729-97) • Founderof modern conservatism • Social institutions slowly evolve over time to fit needs and conditions • Advocate of slow, gradual change
  • 19.
    Liberalism 1. A tendencyto favor change 2. Faith in human reason 3. Willingness to use government to improve the human condition 4. Preference for individual freedom 5. Greater optimism about human nature than conservatives
  • 20.
    Hubert Humphrey (1911-78) • “Liberalsfully recognize that change is inevitable in the patterns of society and in the challenges which confront man.” • People should keep trying to improve society. • Change can be directed and controlled for human benefit.
  • 21.
    Contemporary Conservatism • In theUnited States: • A belief in traditional values centered on the home, family and religion • A belief in capitalism, opposition to government regulation of economy, and support of a balanced budget • A belief in a strong military, opposition to communism and giving authority to international organizations
  • 22.
    The New Right •Radical Right of the 1950s • Concerned with social issues centered primarily on the family, religion, and education • Abortion • Busing to integrate schools • Pornography • Prayer in schools • Local control of education • Does not believe in separation of church and state
  • 23.
    Contemporary Liberalism • In theUnited States • A belief in freedom of choice • Pro-choice position on abortion • Advocate rights for women and minorities • A belief in use of government intervention in the economy to regulate it • A belief in the need to work within the international community for peaceful resolution of conflicts
  • 24.
    The Extreme • Thereare extremists on both ends of the political spectrum • Right wing extremism in U.S. • Oklahoma bombing • Militia movement • Left wing extremism in U.S. • Treehuggers • Greenpeace • Communist Party USA
  • 25.
  • 26.
    Marxism • The political, economic, and social principles and policies advocated by Karl Marx
  • 27.
    Marxism • A theoryand practice of socialism including • The labor theory of value • Dialectical materialism • The class struggle • Dictatorship of the proletariat • Leading to the establishment of a classless society
  • 28.
    Alienation • Being cutoff • Human meaning of capitalism for Marx: • Labor sold like an object • What sold is part of a human being • No longer whole human being • Unable to establish full human relationships • People cut off from self, others, and work • The condition Marx wanted to change
  • 29.
    The Economy • Economicrelationships the foundation of social systems • Capitalism condemned by Marx • An essential stage in the development to socialism • The most progressive economic system developed so far
  • 30.
    Fundamental Fact of Life •People must produce goods before they can do anything else. • They must also reproduce themselves • But they can’t do that unless they are capable of feeding themselves • Thus, material production or economic relationships are basic to all life.
  • 31.
    Marxian Economics • Labortheory of value • Doctrine of subsistence wages • Only paying workers enough to keep them alive • Theory of surplus value
  • 32.
    3 hours to Workergiven Produce good $30 worth of Using $10 material Worth of fuel Worker creates Product sold for $100
  • 33.
    • Labor, andonly the labor, increased the value of the materials to $100 • Worker entitled to $20/hour • If paid $15/hour, this is exploitation and is “surplus value” for the factory owner • According to Labor Theory of Value, all profits are the rightful earnings of the workers. • Marx called for • The elimination of profits • Workers to seize factories • The overthrow of the “tyranny” of capitalism
  • 34.
    Class Struggle • Strugglebetween the • Bourgeoisie (capitalists) • Class that controls production but does little if any work • Reaps immense profits • Proletariat (workers) • Class that does the actual labor • Production requires the proletariat, not the bourgeoisie
  • 35.
    Problem of Classification • Peasantry • Landowners that do their own labor • Petite bourgeoisie? • Proletariat? • The dregs of society • Make no contribution to production • Lumpenproletariat • Revolution would solve the problem since it would lead to a one-class society
  • 36.
    Revolution • Class strugglewill ultimately produce a revolution • We must move beyond understanding society to changing it • Revolution both necessary and inevitable • Never happened • Colonial exploitation and imperialism
  • 37.
    Types of Revolution • PoliticalRevolution • Political power seized by the proletariat • Usually violent • Change sudden • Bourgeoisie would never agree to its disappearance as a class • Social Revolution • Takes place later • First, changes are made in property relations • Second, the superstructure adjusts to the changes
  • 38.
    Lenin • Developed therevolutionary party • Organized to overthrow capitalism • Proletarians too busy trying to stay alive • Party members would act on their behalf • Democratic Centralism • Discussion completely free within the organization until a decision is made • Once a decision is made, all must support the decision
  • 39.
    Dictatorship of the Proletariat •Brief transitional period • Period in which the superstructure would change to adjust to the socialist mode of production • Consolidation of the proletariat’s power • Gradual disappearance of the bourgeoisie and other minor classes • In reality, no country has moved beyond the dictatorship of the proletariat
  • 40.
    Full Communism • The goalof Marxism • No classes • The state withers away • No money • No religion • No crime • All work for the good of the society • The goal of the entire system, the utopia toward which all else is aimed.
  • 41.
    One Nation, Underprivileged Rank 5: True to Values
  • 42.
    The Judeo-Christian Ethic •The Old Testament: • The wealthy tend to close their “ear to the cry of the poor” • Wealth does not open the doors of heaven • Wealth can lead to the exploitation of the poor
  • 43.
    Judgment • According tothe Old Testament, individuals, communities, and rulers are judged on the basis of how well they treat the downtrodden.
  • 44.
    Religions and Creeds •All major religions and creeds are practiced in the U.S. • Most Americans associate with Judeo- Christianity • Religious beliefs based on the Bible
  • 45.
    Civic Principles • Thefounding principles and values that bind us together as a people • Liberty • Justice • Equality • Democracy
  • 46.
    Liberty and Justicefor All “It does not make any sense for a nation to proclaim itself a democracy if there is widespread and structural participatory disparity within the nation. A nation that strives for democracy must make a commitment to alleviate the plight of disadvantaged groups.” ~ Thomas Simon