Political Ideologies
Prepared by:
Teacher Tin
Objectives
1.identify the basic tenets of major political
ideologies (i.e., liberalism, conservatism,
socialism)
2.differentiate the political
3.analyze how political ideologies impact on
the social and political life of Filipino
What idea or concept is depicted in this
picture? Give your insights.
What is Ideology?
Ideology according to Heywood (2007) refers to a
system of beliefs about how society should
function, behave, and operate. He further explains
that from a social-scientific viewpoint, an ideology is
a more or less coherent set of ideas that provides a
basis for organized political action, whether this is
intended to preserve, modify or overthrow the
existing system of power relationships.
Functions of Political Ideology
(1) It offers an account of the existing order by
examining what works and what does not work,
as well as other various issues and problems that
the state and the broader society are confronted
with.
(2) It provides a model of a desired social order, a
vision of the Good Society.
(3) It outlines how political change or the desired
social order can be achieved.
Major Political Ideologies
Liberalism
pertains to set of political beliefs
emphasizing individual rights
and liberties. Below are its key
ideas:
1. Individualism: It is the core principle of
liberal ideology. Individualism is further
explained as:
2. Freedom: Individual freedom or liberty is
the core value of liberalism. Under freedom
are the following features:
3. Reason: Liberals believe that the world has a rational
structure, and that this can be uncovered through the
exercise of human reason and by critical enquiry.
Furthermore, the key idea of reason favors the following:
4. Equality: This refers to the belief that individuals
are ‘born equal’, at least in terms of moral worth.
Liberalism has strong commitment to equal rights
namely
5. Toleration: It means willingness to allow others to think,
speak and act in ways which they disapprove. This
promotes debate and intellectual progress.
6. Consent: It will advocate that authority and social
relationships should always be based on consent or willing
agreement. Under this idea, the government must
therefore be based on the ‘consent of the governed’.
Authority is always grounded in legitimacy
Conservatism
-refers to set of political beliefs
based on preservation of customs
and traditions that define the
character of a society. Here are
the key ideas of conservatism:
Key Ideas of Conservatism
1. Tradition: It is the central theme of conservative
thought or ‘the desire to conserve’. It respects
established customs and institutions that have
endured through time. Tradition reflects the
accumulated wisdom of the past, and institutions
and practices that have been ‘tested by time’, and
it should be preserved for the benefit of the living
and for generations yet to come.
2. Pragmatism: It is the belief that action should be
shaped by practical circumstances and practical
goals, that is, by ‘what works’.
3. Human imperfection: In this view, human beings are
limited, dependent, and security-seeking creatures, drawn
to the familiar and the tried and tested. Human beings are
needing to live in stable and orderly communities. The
maintenance of order requires a strong state, the
enforcement of strict laws, and stiff penalties.
4. Authority: Conservatives hold that, to some
degree, authority is always exercised ‘from
above’, providing leadership, guidance and
support for those who lack the knowledge,
experience or education to act wisely in their
own interests. Authority and leadership are
seen as resulting from experience and training.
5. Property: Conservatives see property
ownership as being vital because it
gives people security and a measure of
independence from government, and it
encourages them to respect the law
and the property of others.
Socialism
is defined as set of political
beliefs emphasizing community
and social equality that adheres
to the following ideas:
Key Ideas of Socialism
1. Community: The core of socialism is the vision of
human beings as social creatures linked by the
existence of a common humanity. It highlights the
importance of community, and the degree to which
individual identity is fashioned by social interaction
and membership of social groups and collective
bodies.
2. Fraternity: It is sharing a common humanity.
Humans are bound together by a sense of
comradeship or fraternity (literally meaning
‘brotherhood’, but broadened in this context to
embrace all humans). Socialism prefers
cooperation over competition and favors
collectivism over individualism. Cooperation
enables people to harness their collective
energies/strengthens the bonds of community
3. Social equality is the central value
of socialism: It emphasizes equality
of outcome as opposed to equality
of opportunity. The measure of
social equality is looked upon as
guarantee of social stability and
cohesion.
4. Need is of primary importance in Socialism: It is
the belief that material benefits should be
distributed on the basis of need, rather than
simply on the basis of merit or work: ‘From each
according to his ability, to each according to his
need’. The satisfaction of basic needs (hunger,
thirst, shelter, health, personal security and so on)
is a prerequisite for a worthwhile human existence
and participation in social life.
5. Social class: Socialism has traditionally
been associated with the interests of an
oppressed and exploited working class -
regarded the working class as an agent of
social change. The socialist goal is the
eradication of economic and social
inequalities, or their substantial reduction.
6. Common ownership: The socialist
case for common ownership is that it
is a means of harnessing material
resources to the common good, with
private property being seen to
promote selfishness, acquisitiveness
and social division.
Different Ideologies and their Perspectives on
the State
