POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

OVERVIEW:
Is our government doing a good job? Do our public officials uphold the welfare
of the people? Are the actions of our government and its officials good or bad? What
is your idea of good governance? If you were to change one thing about politics and
governance, what would it be? These are the questions that are often asked by the
citizens whenever they ponder upon the actions and nature of their government. The
ideas that come to mind when addressing these questions form the core of a political
ideology that all members of the state have. As members of a state, we share certain
views, beliefs, and values with our fellow citizens, and we expect our government to
uphold these shared values and beliefs in its policies and programs. We also know
that not all citizen share the same ideas and beliefs regarding the government, and
these influence their actions whether they are supportive or critical of the government.
Understanding political ideologies, therefore, is an important task for citizens as they
seek to understand how government works and how they can better participate in the
affairs of the state.

Discussion:
Ideology refers to a set of beliefs and ideas that shape an individual’s or a group’s
views, actions, and interactions with the world. Political ideology, meanwhile, is a set
of beliefs and ideas that define political activities, policies, and events.
A political ideology is comprised of related and supporting ideas that advance a
certain idea of what society and government is or what it should be. It emphasizes
certain values, principles, and ideals which distinguish it from other political
ideologies. For example, liberalism emphasizes individual freedom while fascism
gives primary importance to the state over the individual.
Political ideology is also the basis for the development of a political culture,
which is a set of beliefs, attitudes, and behavior that define political processes and
governance.
An ideology is considered to have four key functions:
1) it explains how society and politics are organized and how various aspects of
politics work;
2) It evaluates whether a certain political action or program is good or bad;
3) It orients those who subscribe to it to have sense of identity and direction;
4) It provides a program or plan of action that will bring about political change.
Before focusing on the major political ideologies, it is important to present first
the political spectrum. The political spectrum is a graphic representation of political
ideologies along a line from left to right.

The left side of the line includes those that adhere to liberal and socialist
ideologies, while the right side of the line presents those that conform to conservative
and fascist ideologies. The center of the line represents a moderate or “Centrist”
ideology which balances the ideas from the left and right sides of the political
spectrum.
Left (Leftist) Center Right (Rightist)
(Liberal-Socialist) (Moderate) (Conservative-Fascist)
1. Emphasis on personal 1. Combines ideas and 1. Emphasis on the welfare
liberty and human rights principles from both the of the state or the “the
left and the right common good”
2. Government regulation
of the market 2. Emphasize balance 2. Individual interests
between extreme views should give way to national
3. Government control and ideas or state interests
over essential services and
economic activities 3. Seeks the “middle 3. Markets should be free
ground” in political and unregulated
4. Envisions and issues
egalitarian society (relating 4. Emphasizes the rule of
to or believing in the 4. Seeks to maintain the law and the power of the
principle that all people are status quo in politics and state, especially in times of
equal and deserve equal society crisis (authoritarian)
rights and opportunities)
where there is no 5. May lean toward 5. Often nationalistic and
distinction between people some leftist ideas or ethnic centered
based on economic status policies (center-left), or
or identity (socialist) may prefer some 6. Prefers a strong military
right-wing ideas or and seeks to project a
5. Seeks a limited role for policies (center-right) powerful image in
the government, especially international affairs
with regard to private
matters and individual 7. Most extreme views
decisions (Libertarian) demand total control over all
aspects of the lives of their
6. Often advocates citizens
political and social change
through revolutionary
means

7. Most extreme views

advocate the dismantling
of the government to be
replaced by
community-based
governance (Anarchist)

Note that similar ideologies (i.e., those that belong to the “same side” in the
political spectrum) do not necessarily agree on some views regarding politics,
economy, and society, and that ideologies often give rise to other branches that may
espouse some extreme or radically unique views on politics and society.

Major Political Ideologies and Related Ideas

 Liberalism - this ideology considers economic and social inequality as
undesirable and seeks to establish a society that provides opportunities for growth to
all individuals. Public policy, therefore, must be oriented toward eliminating
discrimination and barriers to growth and development. All citizens must have access
to essential services such as health care, education, and social security. Liberalism
upholds the recognition of human rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech and
freedom of religion, gender equality, and a secular government.
Social Democracy - this ideology seeks to implement socialist reforms in society
within the framework of a democratic government and capitalist economy. Social
democrats advocate government regulation of the economy, income distribution, and
the promotion of social welfare. Social democracy envisions the establishment of a
socialist state through legal, non-violent means.
Socialism - It envisions the establishment of a state characterized by public
ownership of resources and the means of production. Production is done not for profit,
but to meet basic human needs. There is democrat control over the use of resources
and the production of goods and services are done in a cooperative manner. The
government ensures that all citizens have free access to goods and services
Communism is a socialist ideology that believes the inequality is a result of
capitalism and the existence of a class system. Society, therefore, must be transformed
to eliminate class divisions in order to achieve equality. Marxism is a communist
ideology that believes capitalist societies are characterized by class conflict or the
struggle between the working class and the capitalists. Marxists believes that the
working class or the proletariat will lead a revolution that will establish a communist
society. Communism is more revolutionary in its orientation as it advocates mass
action and even armed struggle in order to achieve its goals.
Anarchism . This 18 the most extreme of the ideologies on the left as it
advocates the total dlsmantllng and elimination of the state. For anarchists, the state is
undesirable as 1ts varlous aspects such as control, political authority, and hierarchy
represent everything that is detrimental to freedom and individualism. Instead of the
state, anarchists advocate the establishment of self-governed communities where
individuals manage their affairs through cooperative effort and mutual respect.
Neoliberalism - This ideology is based on laissez-faire economics which upholds
free markets and trade liberalization. Neoliberals believe that economic growth is key
to human progress, and that the government must not intervene in the activities of
markets and capitalists. This ideology gained popularity during the 1980s and was
implemented by the governments of the United States of America and United
Kingdom. In particular, the Reagan administration of the United States advocated
“trickle down” economics - a policy that reduced taxes on the wealthy and businesses.
It was believed that the policy would result in economic benefits for the rest of the
population of the United States.
Conservatism - This ideology upholds a strong, stable government and the firm
implementation of laws. Conservatives value continuity of tradition and are more
nationalistic, religious and moralistic in their point of views. This view also upholds
the existence of a free market with limited intervention from the government.
Conservatives also prefer a strong military and advocate a strong presence in
international affairs. In the United States, conservative thought adheres to the belief in
a “limited government” in the sense that government should not interfere in the
individual beliefs and decisions of its citizens. It is the view of conservatives that
social problems are not the concern of the government and should be addressed at the
local community level. Conservatism is also wary of any change or reform, and are
generally opposed to socialist ideas.
Reactionism - This ideology is a variation of conservatism. While conservatism
seeks to maintain the status quo, reactionism advocates a return to the “old ways”.
Reactionaries consider the present state of society as flawed and looks to the past
which they consider as a mere orderly and better time. Society, therefore , should
change in a way that traditional practices and previous state policies are revived.
Fascism - This is a radical right wing ideology that is based on fierce nationalism
and authoritarianism. Fascism advocates a very strong central government, with many
of the aspects of democratic government subject to restrictions or even eliminated.
Fascism emerged as a significant political ideology in Italy during the 1930s, although
this ideology also influenced the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and militarism in
Japan. For Fascists, society is in danger from various threats such as invasion, war, or
rebellion, and a very strong government with unlimited powers is needed to address
these threats. The fascist government is centered on a dictatorship, and political
opposition and dissent is suppressed. For fascists, the interests of the state is
concerned paramount, and individual liberties and interests must give way to the
interests of the state.

Generalization:
Ideas shape human actions and social outcomes. What is believed by the
members of the community has been drastically affecting their social, political, and
economic conditions, and also their way of life. Liberalism has influenced human
choice, decisions in the market, and satisfaction of desires. Socialism has been the
forerunner of values such as equity, justice, and community life. Democracy is not
just a political system but an ideology that pushes freedom, equality, rights and,
welfare of the people protected by the government. In these instances, ideologies are
made alive when individuals and communities are influenced by ideas.
An awareness of one’s political ideology is essential as it helps citizens
participate effectively in politics. Ideology can be a source of stability and unity,
especially if majority of the citizens believe in the principles and values of the
government. Citizens who do not share in the prevailing doctrines and ideas of the
state, on the other hand, can be an effective counter-balance to the state and provide a
voice of dissent and opposition whenever necessary. Being aware of one’s political
beliefs and values also helps in critically examining government actions and programs.
Citizen support for the government should not be unconditional and uncritical, thus an
awareness of what one stands for and how government should uphold the shared
beliefs of its citizens is necessary to prevent any action of the government that might
go against the principles and values of the democratic state.