A detailed, in-depth summary of chapter 2 of the book Politics by Andrew Heywood. The summary includes all terms and definitions and is sufficient scope for an exam. This book is often used for first-year political science courses.
Summary of Introduction to Political Science Part 2- Final
Summary Introduction to Political Science Part 1- Midterm (Readings and Lectures)
All for this textbook (27)
Written for
Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA)
European Politics And Global Change
7321E020FY
All documents for this subject (12)
Seller
Follow
natyprycova
Reviews received
Content preview
CHAPTER 2 – POLITICAL IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES
- All people are political thinkers
WHAT IS POLITICAL IDEOLOGY?
- One of the most controversial concepts in political analysis
- Should be neutral but has mostly negative connotations
- Ideology → coherent set of ideas that provide a basis for organized political action
o All ideologies:
▪ 1. Offer an account of the existing order, usually in the from of world
view
▪ 2. Provide a model of a desired future
▪ 3. Outline how political change can and should be brought about
- Destutt de Tracy – ideology is a science of ideas
- Marx – ideas of the ruling class – but it is false
- Alternative developed by liberals and conservatives (Popper, Talmont, Arendt) – view
of ideology as an instrument of social control to ensure compliance and
subordination
- Oakeshott – ideologies are seen as abstract system of thought
- Rationalism → the belief that the world can be understood and explained through
the exercise of human reason, based on assumptions about its rational structure
- Pragmatism → theory or practice that places primary emphasis on practical
circumstances and goals, pragmatism implies a distrust of abstract ideas
- Although the term ideology was perceived as negative it should be neutral
o Reject the idea of good and bad
CLASSICAL IDEOLOGICAL TRADITIONS
- Political ideologies arose out of the transition from feudalism to industrial capitalism
o Shaping emerging society
- 2 rival economic philosophies – capitalism and socialism
o Strong economic focus
- John Locke
o English philosopher and political
o His views were developed against the backdrop of the English revolution
o Key thinker of early liberalism, emphasis on natural God-given rights – rights
to life, liberty and property
Liberalism
- Ideology of the industrialized West, meta-ideology
- Early 19th century
- Political doctrine – attacking feudalism and instead advocating for constitutional and
representative government (Locke)
- Meta-ideology → higher or second-order ideology that lays down the grounds on
which ideological debate can take place
, - Key ideas of liberalism
o Individualism → belief in supreme importance of the human individual as
opposed to any social group or collective body
o Freedom → core value, priority over equality, justice or authority
o Reason → rational structure, exercise of human reason, critical enquiry
o Equality → foundational, individuals are born equal at least in terms of moral
worth
o Toleration → willingness to allow others to think, speak and act
o Consent → or willing agreement
o Constitutionalism → belief in limited government
- Progress → moving forwards, the belief that history is characterized by human
advancement based on the accumulation of knowledge and wisdom
- Meritocracy → rule by the talented, the principle that rewards and positions should
be distributed on the basis of ability
Classical liberalism
- Extreme form of liberalism – humans are seen as egoistical, self-seeking and self-
reliant creatures
- Belief in negative libert7 – non-interference, no constraints
- Atomism → the belief that society is made up of a collection of largely self-sufficient
individuals who owe little or another to one another
- The state is the necessary evil – limiting the freedom of the citizens
o The goal is a minimal state
- Economic liberalism → a belief in the market as a self-serving mechanism tending
naturally to deliver general prosperity and opportunities for all
o Mechanism for free market
Modern liberalism
- More sympathetic attitude towards state intervention
o USA – support for big government rather than minimal
- Classical liberalism has generated new forms of injustice
- Mill and New Liberals (Green, Hobhouse, Hobson) – freedom does not just mean man
being left alone, which might imply nothing more than a freedom to starve
- Big government → interventionist government, understood to imply economic
management and social regulation
- Social or welfare liberalism, abandoning the laissez-faire capitalism
- Support for collective provision and government intervention has always been
conditional
o Helping individuals to be once again responsible for themselves
- John Rawls – redistribution
- Redistribution → a narrowing of material inequalities brought about through a
combination of progressive taxation and welfare provision
Conservatism
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller natyprycova. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R126,44. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
