POLITICAL
IDEOLOGIES
AERON JOHN A. AMIN, PHD
SUBJECT TEACHER
MELC: Differentiate
the political
ideologies.
Lesson Objectives:
1. Explain the concept of political ideology.
2. Identify the basic tenets of major political
ideologies.
3. Analyze how political ideologies impact on
the social and political life of Filipino.
What is political ideology?
A definition of 'ideology’ must be neutral: it must
reject the notion that ideologies are 'good' or 'bad',
true or false, or liberating or oppressive.
The modern, social scientific meaning of the term,
sees ideology as an action-orientated belief
system, an interrelated set of ideas that in some
way guides or inspires political action.
What is political 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.
What is political ideology?
A political ideology outlines the role of the
government and the economy in the society. It
proposes ideas regarding the most effective
government, and the social and economic
structure that will enable the state to uphold its
principles and realize its goals.
Concept: Ideology
In other words, from a social-scientific view
point, 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.
Concept: Ideology
All ideologies:
Offer an account of the existing order, usually in
the form of a world view.
Provide a model of a desired future, a vision of the
Good Society.
Outline how political change can and should be
brought about.
Concept: Ideology
Ideologies are not sealed systems of
thought; rather, they are fluid sets
of ideas that overlap with one
another at a number of points.
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
1. LIBERALISM
2. CONSERVATISM
3. SOCIALISM
LIBERALISM
Liberalism pertains to set of political beliefs
emphasizing individual rights and liberties.
Liberalism was the product of the breakdown of
feudalism and the growth, in its place, of a market or
capitalist society. Early liberalism reflected the
aspirations of a rising industrial middle class, and
liberalism and capitalism have been closely linked
ever since.
1. 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
2. FREEDOM
Individual freedom or liberty is the core value of
liberalism. Under freedom are the following features:
❖ 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
3. REASON
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.
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:
❖ 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.
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:
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.
Different Ideologies and
their Perspectives on
the State
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES PERSPECTIVE ON THE STATE
SOCIALISM • Considers the state as embodiment of the
common good and approves government
intervention in implementing laws concerning
the welfare of the citizens.
• Cooperation is more important than
competition
LIBERALISM • Views the state as a tool or instrument of social
order
• Recognizes the state in providing equal
opportunities to all citizens.
CONSERVATISM • Links the state with the need to provide
authority and discipline in order to protect
