Political Ideologies

POLITICAL
IDEOLOGIES
GRADE 11 ST. ANDREW
01
IDEOLOGY
What is ideology?
IDEOLOGY
Ideology refers to a system of beliefs about how
society should function, behave, and operate. 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
● 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.
● It provides a model of a desired social order, a vision of the Good

Society.
● It outlines how political change or the desired social order can be

achieved.
MAJOR POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES
Liberalism
Conservatism
LIBERALISM
Liberalism pertains to set of political beliefs
emphasizing individual rights and liberties.
KEY IDEAS OF LIBERALISM
INDIVIDUALISM - It is the core principle of liberal ideology.
Individualism is further explained as:
• belief in the supreme importance of the human
• human beings are seen with equal moral worth; they possess separate and
unique identities.
• the liberal goal is to construct a society within which individuals can
flourish and develop
Freedom - Individual freedom or liberty is the core value of
liberalism.
Under freedom are the following features: belief in the supreme
importance of the human
• desire to ensure that each person is able to act as he or she pleases
or chooses
• advocate ‘freedom under the law’, as they recognize that one
person’s liberty may be a threat to the liberty of others
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:
• faith in the ability of individuals to make wise judgments;
• individuals as the best judges of their own interests;
• belief in progress and the capacity of human beings to resolve
their
• differences through debate and argument, rather than bloodshed
and war.
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:
• legal equality (‘equality before the law’);
• political equality (‘one person, one vote; one vote,
one value’).
Toleration: - It means willingness to allow others
to think, speak and act in ways which they
disapprove. This promotes debate and intellectual
progress.
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
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
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.
Pragmatism - It is the belief that action
should be shaped by practical circumstances
and practical goals, that is, by ‘what works’.
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.
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.
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
Socialism is defined as set of political beliefs

emphasizing community and social
equality that adheres to the following ideas:
KEY IDEAS OF SOCIALISM
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.
Socialists are inclined to emphasize nurture over nature, and to
explain individual behavior mainly in terms of social factors,
rather than innate qualities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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POLITICAL

● It provides a model of a desired social order, a vision of the Good

● It outlines how political change or the desired social order can be

Socialism is defined as set of political beliefs

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