1: Political Ideologies
- Page ID
- 231624
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Why start this collection of learning modules with political ideologies, you may ask? Because clear definitions and a comprehensive understanding of them are fundamental to navigating political systems, personalities, and events.
Notice how the term ideology itself, is composed of the Greek idea (ideas, ideal) and logos, indicating this working definition:
an ideology is a set of ideas that are logically related, and guide action toward an ideal.
In political science, the ideal that is sought after concerns government, governance, and society.
A more substantial and elegant definition is this:
Political ideology refers to a coherent set of beliefs, values, and ideas that provide a framework for understanding the role of government, the organization of society, and the goals of political action. It influences individuals' perceptions of justice, equality, authority, and economic systems, and often shapes policy preferences and partisan affiliations (Heywood, 2021).*
Thus, the framework ideologies provide enable citizens and governments to comprehend, explain, and to some extend even predict their political environments which may keep us engaged and our democracy vibrant.
Key Ideologies and DEI
Specifically, in this module we examine the core underpinnings of the major political ideologies with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI):
Liberalism
Socialism
Marxism
Anarchism
Conservatism 
Libertarianism
Fascism
An analysis of these ideologies reveals where various politicians stand on current DEI debates, where they locate social problems and solutions. For example, right-wing ideologues tend to regard diversity with suspicion and favor a more "colorblind" disciplinarian approach to social problems (sometimes more equality driven), whereas left-wing ideologues tend to embrace DEI and work towards an equal playing field (more equity driven). Learn more about the intricacies and controversies in the readings to follow.
Generally, we ask:
How does each ideology interpret the fundamental democratic values of freedom, equality, participation, majority rule and minority rights, and order and stability?
Freedom for whom? Rights over order, or order over rights? How do Marxists perceive of minority rights, for example, compared to fascists? What kind of society do they want to create, and how does it differ from the goals of a socialist, conservative, or a libertarian?
These are only some of the fundamental questions that political ideologies seek to answer, each with their own coherent world view.
By engaging with the readings and the classroom activity, and by analyzing your own political ideology in the homework assignment, you will deepen your understanding of ideologies in general and their effect on our society's DEI efforts in particular.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Explain the basics of major political ideologies (liberalism, conservatism, socialism, etc.) in your own words.
- Compare different ideologies—how do they view freedom, equality, and power?
- Connect ideologies to real-world issues, especially debates about fairness, discrimination, and inclusion.
- Understand how politicians and laws are influenced by these ideologies.
- Reflect on your own views—which ideologies do you agree or disagree with, and why?
- Discuss these ideas respectfully, even when people disagree.
*Heywood, A. (2021). Political ideologies: An introduction (7th ed.). Red Globe Press.
- 1.1: Political Ideologies - Readings and Media
- This page provides a structured learning experience on political ideologies using diverse media. It begins with a Khan Academy video on liberal and conservative principles, followed by a Crash Course exploring their impact on social groups and political preferences. Lastly, the Greater Good Science Center examines how these ideologies influence concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- 1.2: Political Ideologies - Classroom Activity
- This page describes a debate activity on the necessity of universal healthcare, encouraging students to explore various political ideologies like liberalism, socialism, and conservatism. Students develop and present arguments for or against universal healthcare, engage in rebuttals, and reflect on how ideologies shape beliefs and the effectiveness of arguments. An evaluation rubric is also provided for assessing students’ presentations and discussions.
- 1.3: Political Ideologies - Homework
- This page describes an assignment that guides students in analyzing their political ideologies on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It involves taking a quiz from the Pew Research Center and writing a reflective paper that covers their ideology, views on universal healthcare, proposed policy changes, and the impact of their socio-economic background. Evaluation focuses on completeness, depth of analysis, evidence use, and quality of reflective writing.