Political Ideologies & Communities PDF

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND COMMUNITIES PREPARED BY: MS. SHERIFA ROSSLAINI O. KADIL, LPT, MPA  If you are going to change one thing about politics and governance, what would it be? Why? WHAT IS A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY? According to Cranston, ideology is a form of social or pol...

POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND COMMUNITIES PREPARED BY: MS. SHERIFA ROSSLAINI O. KADIL, LPT, MPA  If you are going to change one thing about politics and governance, what would it be? Why? WHAT IS A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY? According to Cranston, ideology is a form of social or political philosophy. Moreover, it is a system of ideas that aspires both to explain the world and change it.  A comprehensive set of collectively held ideas, beliefs and attitudes about society (social, political & economic institutions & processes) which is promoted in order to justify a certain type of political action. Ideologies have an explanatory function: they provide explanations for the facts and problems of the social life, so enabling individuals and groups to orientate themselves in society.  It is more or less coherent set of ideas that provides the basis for organized political action, whether it is intended to preserve, modify or overthrow the existing system of power.  In a nutshell, political ideologies are a set and system of ideas, beliefs, values and interests of an individual, group or society which serve as a guide, a blueprint for a certain political action that will govern the society, communities, and the people within to create some greater and meaningful changes. FOUR KEY FUNCTIONS OF IDEOLOGIES It explains how It evaluates It orients those It provides a society and whether a who subscribe program or politics are certain political to it to have a plan of action organized and action or sense of that will bring how various program is identity and about political aspects of good or bad. direction. change. politics work. POLITICAL CULTURE  According to Lucian Pye's definition is that “political culture is the set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments, which give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system". POLITICAL SPECTRUM LEFT AND RIGHT DISTINCTIONS OF IDEOLOGIES  The terms “left” and “right” trace their origins to the French Revolution and the seating arrangements adopted by the different groups at the first meeting of the Estates-General in 1789. Supporters of the King sat to his right, while radicals, the members of the Third Estate, sat to his left.  Subsequent French Assemblies followed a similar seating pattern and since then, ideological opinions and positions have been classified most often in terms of a single left-right dimension. The term “left” became a label for “ revolutionary” or “egalitarian” sympathies The term “right” for “reactionary” or “monarchist” (Heywood, 2003). ROLES/ FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES TO COMMUNITIES  A powerful tool in shaping how society is organized and how it functions. Ideas can provide different perspectives and opinions which may contribute into a solution (even it is not the proper/ ideal one). It offers an analysis of the status quo by examining what works and what does not work; (b) it evaluates alternatives to the status quo and prescribes a preferred or desired social order; and (c) it specifies the means by which the preferred or desired social order can be achieved. IDEOLOGY AND GOVERNANCE IDEOLOGY is a major influence on the way the government organizes itself and conducts its activities. These ideas and principles espoused by political ideologies become the bases of state policies and principles, which in turn defines laws and political traditions. IDEOLOGY AND CITIZENSHIP Political ideologies are a product of state indoctrination and individual’s own background, experiences, and acquired knowledge. Therefore, political ideologies are basis of citizen action and participation in governance. The influence of political ideology on citizen action is evident in four key areas: 1) respect for law; 2) political participation; 3) humanitarianism; and 4) political dissent, protest and civil disobedience.  LIBERAL POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES Liberalism Economic and social inequality considers Neoliberalism Based on laissez-faire economics which upholds free undesirable and seeks to establish a society that markets and trade liberalization; government must not provides opportunities for growth to all individuals; intervene in the activities of the market and capitalists. upholds the recognition of human rights. Social Democracy Advocates government regulation of the economy, Conservatism Upholds a strong, stable government and firm income distribution, and the promotion of the social implementation of laws. Conservatives value welfare; seeks to implement socialist reforms in continuity in tradition and are more nationalistic, society within the framework of a democratic religious, and moralistic in their political views; views government and capitalist economy; envisions the the existence of a free market with limited intervention establishment of a socialist state through legal, non- of the government; prefers strong military and violent means. advocate a strong presence in international affairs. Seeks to maintain status quo. Socialism Envisions the establishment of a state characterized Reactionism Advocates a return to the “old ways.” Present society by public ownership of resources and the means of is seen to be flawed and looks to the past which they production. consider more orderly and better time. Anarchism The most extreme of the ideologies on the left as it Fascism Based on fierce nationalism and authoritarianism. advocates a total dismantling and elimination of the Advocates a very strong central government, with state. many of the aspect of democratic government subject to restrictions. Centered on dictatorship. Political opposition and dissent is suppressed. Common ideas: Uphold equality, government regulation of Common ideas: Uphold a strong government, strict adherence economic activities and resources, and recognition of to laws and traditional values, and the welfare of the state individual rights and freedoms. above the individual.