Ideologies: Differences between the strands Flashcards
Liberalism: Human nature
Both share a more positive view on human nature, believing humans are rational individuals guided by self-interest and are all striving to achieve freedom
CL- negative freedom (freedom from something e.g freedom of speech)- absence of constraint on the individual
CL- egoistical individualism - individuals know what is best for themselves so should be self-reliant
ML- developmental individualism - people can grow and develop to fulfil their potential, assumes we make social progress and choose a degree of altruism (concern for others)
ML- positive freedom (freedom is not simply enough to be left alone e.g right to education etc)
Liberalism: The State
Both support the principle of self-government, divergences on the size of the state (as this relates back to their ideas of how freedom is best achieved) , both believing that the state is a ‘necessary evil’
CL- Nightwatchman state- minimal state whereby the state simply lies down the conditions for an orderly existence with a limited involvement in the lives of others
ML- enabling state- This is where the state helps to protect individual freedoms by exercising a wider range of social and economic responsibilities than a minimal state. This involves reducing inequality, to help provide equality of opportunity for all, even the least well-off. Modern liberalism therefore supports welfarism
Liberalism: The economy
CL- support a laissez-faire capitalist economy, which allows for personal freedom and provides benefits for all of society
ML- mixed economy (Keynesian economic model)- The way to boost an economy would therefore be to increase spending OR cut taxes- to encourage people to spend more. Economic problems can be solved by government intervention, for example running a budget deficit
Liberalism: Society
Liberals do not believe that a free, balanced and tolerant society will just naturally develop
In liberalism the society does not come above the individual (because of the shared core view of individualism)
society is a collective body which is comprised largely of self-reliant individuals. Sees the need for contractual obligations, for instance so that business can operate with confidence. Understands the work of voluntary groups in society in the belief that as a natural order emerges with the market economy so a natural order will emerge in society as people promote the common good.
Although liberals are convinced of the need for a government they are also aware of the dangers it entails
ML-believe in developmental individualism and altruism so there should be a degree of tolerance within a liberal society
Conservatism: human nature
Most conservatives are pessimistic about human nature and regard people as imperfect, insecure and limited- human nature is immutable, so it cannot be altered by changing economic, social or political conditions.
Without firm government and a tough criminal justice system, argue conservatives, human behaviour would inevitably deteriorate. They also contend that idealistic or utopian political schemes (for example, based upon fraternity or equality) will never curb human’s aggressive instincts.
According to conservatives, capitalism is the only viable economic system because human nature is essentially competitive and self interested.
Neo-liberal conservatives, however, adopt atomistic individualism, maintaining that human beings can be self-reliant and rational in their decision making
Conservatism: the state
for one-nation conservatives, the state is a neutral agency and its primary role is to preserve social order through welfare programmes, economic interventionism and the defence of traditional institutions and values (such as the family and respect for authority).
In contrast the New Right exhibits both liberal and authoritarian attitudes towards the state. Neo-liberals call for the rolling back of the state on the basis that state intervention stifles economic initiative and growth and creates a deliberating dependency culture.
Neo-conservatives agree that the state’s role in the economy needs to be reduced. Nevertheless, neo-conservatives also call for a ‘strong state’ (based on increased police powers, tougher punishments and anti-permissive policies) to combat crime, anti-social behaviour and ‘permissive attitudes’
Conservatism: the economy
All conservatives favour private enterprise but their views on the economy vary.
One-nation conservatives endorse limited interventionist economic management techniques to maintain high employment levels, a mixed economy of private and public concerns, and state welfare programmes. They adopt this approach to avoid the perceived drawbacks of an unbridled free market and socialist collectivism, and prevent social instability.
Both, neo-conservatives and neo-liberals, in contrast, argue that the state’s role in the economy has to be reduced. Neo-liberals in particular, call for a free market economy on the grounds that it has the best mechanism to meet consumer demand, maximise the use of resources and generate prosperity.
Conservatism: society
Traditional and one-nation conservatives have an organic view of society. All parts of this society, they argue, work together harmoniously to ensure a healthy ‘social body’. Any change to the internal elements of the organic society may jeopardise social stability by undermining tried and tested institutions. Such a society rests on the conservative belief in hierarchy and authority to give people the security of knowing their place and role in the social order, and the leaders ‘natural top down control over the other social groups. For conservatives, the privileges of the elite are balanced by a strong sense of social responsibility or paternalism towards the less fortunate.
Neo-liberal conservatives, in contrast, reject the assumptions underpinning the organic society such as a ‘natural’ hierarchy and paternalism. Instead, neo-liberals view society as composed of independent and rational individuals operating within a free market. From this perspective, society is based on individualism that releases human potential and establishes harmonious free relations between people.
Socialism: human nature
Socialists share the belief that human nature is changeable and can be improved rather than fixed. Some view human nature as heavily influenced by the economic system in place, leading to a state of “false consciousness” that can only be corrected through revolution and authoritarian rule.
humans are social creatures and are naturally inclined for cooperation
Others argue that human nature can flourish within capitalism while still upholding socialist principles like cooperation and collectivism.
Socialism: the state
When it comes to the state, socialists diverge on the role it should play in promoting socialist ideals. While some advocate for the complete dismantling of the capitalist state in favor of a dictatorship of the proletariat, others believe in utilizing the existing state to guide society towards socialist principles through constitutional reforms.
Socialism: the economy
In terms of the economy, there are varying perspectives among socialists. Some argue that socialism cannot coexist with private property and advocate for a swift transition to a non-capitalist economy, while others support a gradual shift towards socialism within a capitalist framework, allowing for public ownership and government intervention.
Socialism: society
Regarding society, socialists agree that our social surroundings play a crucial role in shaping our personalities. There is disagreement, however, on whether society can be gradually enhanced or if a revolutionary overhaul is necessary to align it with socialist values.
fundamental view of community within society (found in different forms) e.g socialists believe that humans are social creatures that are naturally inclined to cooperate
plus most socialists believe that society is based upon class and this is their main mechanism for understanding the way that society works)
all searching for some form of equality within society (but they differ on the extent)
however class society- RS’s main way of understanding society (e.g Marx’s class consciousness and historical materialism), TW accept class divisions will exist but as long as everyone is able to live a life worth living class is a managable divide
