MODERN POLITICAL

IDEOLOGIES
Liberalism
Conservatism
Marxism
Islam

Ideology
Greek, eidosknowledge, logosword.
De Tracy [d. 1836]: ideology was a study of

the process of forming ideas.

Sargent: an ideology is a value system
accepted as fact or truth by some group. It
composed of set of attitudes toward various
institutions, and processes of society.

Characteristics of Ideology
Its label ends in ism.
2. It provides an explanation for contemporary
problems and provides a vision of the
future.
3. It is action-oriented.
4. It aims at mobilizing a huge number of
people without which the change it desires
cannot materialize.
1.

Ideologies, not Ideas.

Ideologies are comprehensive. Ideas about
great matters, e.g. societys highest goals.
2. Ideologies are pervasive. Exist for a long
time and shape political beliefs and actions.
3. Ideologies are extensive. Directed toward
the masses.
4. Ideologies are intensive. They command
strong commitment.
1.

Intellectual Components of
Ideology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Values. Mental preferences.

Vision of the ideal polity.
Conception of the human nature. Good,
bad?
Strategy of action. Comprehensive plan on
how to change a polity into an ideal one.
Political tactics. Detailed modes of action to
achieve the basic strategy.

Functions of Ideologies
1.

2.

Ideology
addresses
basic
human
psychological
needs
[safety,
freedom,
community].
Ideology provides a sense of understanding
history and societies, and provides clues about
the kinds of things to be paid attention to or
ignored.

Functions of Ideologies
3. Ideology is essential. It is a yardstick, a

reference point.
4. Ideology is powerful. Ideologies have
provided the inspiration to bring some
governments into power and throw
others out of power.

1. Classical Liberalism
Liberalism. Latin liber, meaning free.
Thomas Jefferson: that government is best

that governs least.

John Lockes social contract is associated with
liberalism.
Adam Smith: liberal economy.
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mills also
provided political endorsement.

Classical Liberalism
Central tenets:
1.Individual freedom: institutions that endanger liberty must
be controlled
2.Rationality: war, poverty are due to ignorance and
institutions like religion or faith.
3.Progress: expending knowledge and perfecting reasons.
4.Limited government: demand that government be limited
by constitutions
5.Economic freedom. Free enterprise. Private property.
Competition. Market economy.

2. Modern Liberalism
ML

questioned economic freedoms of

laissez-faire capitalism that produced a large
underclass of the terribly poor.
ML emphasized positive liberalism. Govt.
should act positively to protect people
against economic and other difficulties so that
they can be free to enjoy their liberty.
Bringing the govt. back in to protect people
from sometimes unfair economic system.

3. Classical Conservatism
Edmund Burke helped discover the irrational in

human behavior.
Other ideologues: Thomas Hobbes, David Hume.
Conservatism means conserving societys
traditional values and institutions against
radical changes.

Classical Conservatism
Principles:
1.Irrational impulses: people are partly irrational should be
contained by institutions like tradition, religions. To abolish
this institution will lead to chaos and end in tyranny.
2.Order and stability: necessarily to respect the authority.
Institution should preserved because people become used
to them. They may not be perfect but they work.
3.Gradual change: prefer few moderate change to give
people time to adjust.
4.Common sense and pragmatism. Rely on experience.
Practical action rather than theory.
5.Necessity of government: they support strong
government

4. Modern Conservatism
Milton Friedman, Frederich von Hayek. Free

market is the best economic system, govt. is

needed to regulate private business minimally
or not at all.
On social and cultural issues, MC is still
concerned with tradition, esp. religion.
MC=a blend of Smiths economics and
Burkes conservatism.

5. Marxism /
Scientific Socialism
Marxism: a theory of human development
that aims at explaining all history on the
basis of economic laws of determinism.
1.Historical materialism. Explaining history in
terms of material or economic foundations
of society.
2.Surplus value. Profit.

Marxism /
Scientific Socialism
3. Class struggle. Bourgeoisie vs.

Proletariat.
4. Revolution. Socialist revolution to
overthrow capitalist government.
5. Classless society. Ends. The abolition of
distinct classes will make government
unnecessary.

Social Democracy
Edward Bernstein [d. 1932]. Working class could
accomplish its aims without a revolution.
1.Economic determinism is flawed.
2.Advancing capitalism.
3.Evolutionary socialism.
4.Pragmatism.
Social democrats also advocate welfare
measures.

Communism /
Marxism-Leninism
Lenin [1870-1924].
1.Revolution in a backward country. [theory of
Imperialism].
2.Communist Party. Democratic centralism.
3.Dictatorship of the Proletariat. >Marx.
4.Transition to Communism. In moving from
socialism to communism, it was necessary to
construct socialism, i.e., to pursue national
development.

Chinese Communism / Maoism

In the 1930s, Mao concluded that the CCP
had to be based on poor peasants and
guerilla warfare.
Mao came to power in 1949 after decades
of fighting.
Radical course to industrialize China at the
minimum possible time and at the fastest
speed.

Islam as an Ideology
Is Islam an ideology?
No! 1. Ideologies are man-made, while Islam

is divine; 2. Ideologies are transient while

Islam is permanent and universal.
Yes! Though Islam is divine, it has certain
characteristics that are similar to ideologies.
Islam is not an ideology but it may be treated
as an ideology.

Islam as an Ideology
Some major characteristics of Islam as an
ideology.
1. Simplicity, rationalism, practicality.
Simple=no myths. Rational=no superstitions.
Practical=not mere profession of faiths.
2. Unity of matter and spirit. Live piously, but
not to renounce the world.
3. A complete way of life. Complete for all
fields of human existence.

Islam as an Ideology
4. Balance between the individual and

society. Man does not have to lose

individuality for the society or state.
5. Universality and humanism. Message
for all, not only Muslims.
6. Fair economic system. Wealth should
not only circulate among the rich.
Zakat.

Environmentalism
Since late 1960s. The green movements. Its
mission
1.Conserve nature and ecological processes.
2.Ensure sustainable use of renewable natural
resources.
3.Promote actions to reduce pollution and
conserve energy and resources.
4.Stop and reverse degradation of the
environment.

Fascism
20th-century phenomenon. Mussolini [Italy],
Franco [Spain], Salazar [Portugal], Hitler
[Germany]. Features:
1.Totalitarianism.
2.Excessive nationalism.
3.Anti-liberalism.
4.Militarism and violence.
5.Leadership.

FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the
milk.
FASCISM: You have two cows. The government takes both,
hires you to take care of them, and sells you the milk.
PURE COMMUNISM: You have two cows. Your neighbours help
you take care of them, and you all share the milk.
APPLIED COMMUNISM: You have two cows. You have to take
care of them, but the government takes all the milk.
DICTATORSHIP: You have two cows. The government takes
both and shoots you.
PURE DEMOCRACY: You have two cows. Your neighbours
decide who gets the milk.