1: Introduction: Thinking about Political Ideologies
- Page ID
- 288363
This page is a draft and is under active development.
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)This is where I plan to introduce the textbook and the learning objectives for the introductory chapter.
- Distinguish the various definitions of ideology.
- Compare ideologies using the political spectrum.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the political spectrum.
- Recognize the dynamism of ideologies.
Learning Objectives (AI generated)
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- Distinguish between the various definitions of ideology, from the "science of ideas" to "false belief" and "configuration of concepts."
- Compare ideologies using the spatial metaphor of the political spectrum.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the linear left-right spectrum in capturing modern political divides.
- Recognize the dynamism of ideologies and how they evolve, wax, and wane over time.
- 1.1: Real Life Examples
- The study of ideology begins with our visceral reactions to world events. Three cases "torn from the headlines" illustrate this. When we respond to these using terms like fairness, freedom, or human rights, we are speaking the "language of political ideology." Scholar Michael Freeden defines political ideology as a "configuration of concepts"—a framework we use to interpret our social world and either justify or challenge the status quo.
- 1.2: Ideology as Justification
- The term "ideology" has a contested history. De Tracy proposed a "science of ideas" to root out superstition and build a rational society. The Marxist tradition redefined it as "false belief." Marx and Engels argued the ruling class uses ideology to delude the working class into believing their exploitation is natural and fair. Gramsci described a belief system so dominant it becomes "common sense," reinforced not just by the state, but through movies, family, and schools.
- 1.3: A Pluralist Approach
- Following Karl Mannheim, this text adopts a pluralist approach, viewing ideologies as various plausible perspectives rather than mere delusions. Every ideology contains three elements: a description of the world; an evaluation of the world; and a program of action (what is to be done). This section also introduces Isaiah Berlin’s concept of the "collision of values."
- 1.4: How Ideologies Differ
- Ideologies vary in three distinct ways: Definitions of Contested Concepts: They use the same words (e.g., "freedom") but define them differently. Prioritization: Socialism may prioritize equality, while Liberalism prioritizes individual liberty. Complete Divergence: Some ideologies reject concepts others hold dear (e.g., Fascism’s rejection of equality) or introduce unique ones (e.g., Environmentalism’s focus on the natural world).
- 1.5: Left-Right Spectrum
- The terms "left" and "right" originate from the 1789 French Estates General, where radicals sat to the left of the King and traditionalists to the right. Today, this is a heuristic for views on human equality. Egalitarianism (Left) values: 1) Equal rights under law; 2) Equal power and standing; and 3) Approximately equal possessions. Inegalitarianism (Right) rejects these, often advocating for concentrated power or traditional hierarchies.
- 1.6: Ideologies That Don't Fit
- Some ideologies are "awkward fits." Feminism is generally left-leaning due to its egalitarian focus, while Religious Fundamentalism is right-leaning due to its traditional hierarchies. Environmentalism is difficult because its primary focus is human-nature relations. Anarchism is unique, splitting into Anarcho-communism (extreme left; communal sharing) and Anarcho-capitalism (far right; unregulated markets and corporate chains of command), both unified only by their rejection of the state.
- 1.7: Left and Right in the U.S.
- The Local Ideological Spectrum refers to the narrow band of debate within a specific society. In liberal democracies, the "political center" is the median point between major parties. This center shifts geographically: the center in Canada or Scandinavia is significantly further left (higher commitment to redistribution) than the center in the United States.
- 1.8: Limits of the Left-Right Spectrum
- The linear binary struggles with the "Anywheres" (globalists, multiculturalists) vs. "Somewheres" (traditionalists, localists) divide. Some use the "Political Compass"—a four-quadrant grid—to better capture these nuances.
- 1.9: Ideologies are Dynamic
- Ideologies are mutable. Socialism's influence waned in the 1990s only to resurface in the 2010s. Crucially, the content of an ideology changes. 19th-century Liberalism (exemplified by John Stuart Mill) justified colonialism as "progress" for "backward" cultures. This logic directly informed Canada’s residential school policies, leading to the forced assimilation and genocide of Indigenous peoples—views modern liberals find appalling.
- 1.10: Ideologies Impact Economics, Society, and Politics
- Ideology extends beyond government policy to gender, nature, and economic structure. Students must avoid the "trap" of assuming a perfect correlation between political party labels and ideological principles. Parties are marketing organizations designed to win elections; they may abandon their namesake principles (e.g., a Conservative party behaving pragmatically) to appeal to the median voter.
Attribution
CC BY-NC 4.0, Dr. Gregory Millard, "Introduction: Approaching Political Ideologies"