Comprehensive set of ideas by which a group makes sense of the world. All people have ideologies to some degree (consciously or unconsciously). We map out our own interpretation of the real world and its significance to our current world situation. Ideologies generally try to explain how things have come to be the way they are and where things are going. Ideologies are used by people to distinguish truth from falsehood. Contemporary ideologies (anarchism, socialism, capitalism, communism, etc.) contain many economic elements that dominate the beliefs people adopt and the biases they reflect These systems condition people’s behavior. It is a belief system that explains and justifies a preferred political order for society, either existing or proposed, and offers a strategy (processes, institutional arrangements, programs) for its attainment. Functions of Ideologies Robert E. Lane (political analyst) classified a number of important functions of political ideologies: Present a interpretation of a complex world. simplified “cause & effect” Integrate a theory of and political values. human nature with life’s basic economic, social Appear normative and moral in tone and content and aspire to perfect our behaviour. Draw their philosophical premises from constitutions, declarations, manifestoes and writings. Constitute a broad belief system and advocate reforms in the basic fabric and structure of society. Address fundamental questions about leadership, recruitment, political succession and electoral behaviour. Have the effect to persuade and propagandize people who learn not to be influenced by opposing views. Therefore, because ideologies are value-based belief systems, they often come into conflict and competition. Components of Ideologies: The disposition of human nature (our inherent behaviour). The role of the individual in society. The role of the state. The sources & limits of political authority. A preferred and social order. WHAT IS HUMAN NATURE? Many questions exist regarding human nature. Are human beings born basically good or bad, or does social conditioning determine their character? Is it possible to perfect human nature or is it fundamentally unalterable? Whatever view is expressed in the ideology has immediate implications for the economic, political & social preferences that flow from its own belief system. Conservative View: Asserts that human nature is unchangeable and that the purpose of social & political institutions is to control the undesirable tendencies in human behaviour.
Comprehensive set of ideas by which a group makes sense of the world. All people have ideologies to some degree (consciously or unconsciously). We map out our own interpretation of the real world and its significance to our current world situation. Ideologies generally try to explain how things have come to be the way they are and where things are going. Ideologies are used by people to distinguish truth from falsehood. Contemporary ideologies (anarchism, socialism, capitalism, communism, etc.) contain many elements that dominate the beliefs people adopt and the biases they reflect These systems condition people’s behavior. It is a belief system that explains and justifies a preferred political order for society, either existing or proposed, and offers a strategy (processes, institutional arrangements, programs) for its attainment. Functions of Ideologies Robert E. Lane (political analyst) classified a number of important functions of political ideologies: Present a simplified “cause & effect” interpretation of a complex world. Integrate a theory of human nature with life’s basic economic, social and political values. Appear normative and moral in tone and content and aspire to perfect our behaviour. Draw their philosophical premises from constitutions, declarations, manifestoes and writings. Constitute a broad belief system and advocate reforms in the basic fabric and structure of society. Address fundamental questions about leadership, recruitment, political succession and electoral behaviour. Have the effect to persuade and propagandize people who learn not to be influenced by opposing views. Therefore, because ideologies are value-based belief systems, they often come into conflict and competition. Components of Ideologies: The disposition of human nature (our inherent behaviour). The role of the individual in society. The role of the state. The sources & limits of political authority. A preferred economic and social order. WHAT IS HUMAN NATURE? Many questions exist regarding human nature. Are human beings born basically good or bad, or does social conditioning determine their character? Is it possible to perfect human nature or is it fundamentally unalterable? Whatever view is expressed in the ideology has immediate implications for the economic, political & social preferences that flow from its own belief system. Conservative View: Asserts that human nature is unchangeable and that the purpose of social & political institutions is to control the undesirable tendencies in human behaviour.
ideologies.docx