Overview

Political Ideologies are the lenses through which we see the world. They are systems of belief that explain how society works and how it should work.

Core Idea

The core idea is values. Different ideologies prioritize different values (Freedom vs. Equality vs. Tradition).

Formal Definition

A coherent set of ideas that provides the basis for organized political action.

  • Liberalism: Prioritizes individual liberty and rights.
  • Conservatism: Prioritizes tradition, order, and gradual change.
  • Socialism: Prioritizes social equality and collective ownership.

Intuition

  • The Left-Right Spectrum: Originating from the French Revolution (supporters of the King on the right, revolutionaries on the left).
    • Left: Change, Equality, Secularism.
    • Right: Tradition, Hierarchy, Religion.

Examples

  • Fascism: Extreme right. Ultranationalism, authoritarianism, “blood and soil.”
  • Anarchism: Rejection of all hierarchy and the state. Can be left (Anarcho-Communism) or right (Anarcho-Capitalism).
  • Environmentalism: Ideology focused on ecology (Green Parties).

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: Liberal means “Leftist.”
    • Correction: In the US, yes. In Europe/History, “Classical Liberalism” means free markets and small government (what Americans call Libertarianism).
  • Misconception: You have to fit in a box.
    • Correction: Most people are syncretic (mix and match).

Applications

  • Voting: Most people vote based on ideological identity.
  • Policy: Ideology determines what solutions are considered “acceptable.”

Criticism and Limitations

  • Dogmatism: Ideologies can become religions, blinding people to facts that contradict their worldview.
  • The Horseshoe Theory: The far-left and far-right often resemble each other (authoritarianism, hatred of the establishment).

Further Reading

  • Political Ideologies: An Introduction by Andrew Heywood
  • The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt (Psychology of ideology)