POLI 245 Ch:1 Flashcards
Antoine-Louis-Claude Destutt de Tracy and the original meaning of “ideology.”
A French word with Greek origin, it is the combination of the Greek word logos meaning speech or reason, with the word idea. In other words, the study of ideas. Coined in 1796 during Enlightenment Age.
When was the enlightenment era?
1650-1800
What is political culture and what is the sub-culture?
Political culture is the dominant set of beliefs and sentiments that give order and meaning to political process and outline norms. Sub-culture exists asa minority within the political culture. For example: in North America liberal ideas are the dominant political culture with socialism acting as a sub-culture.
Definition of ideology
A fairly coherent and comprehensive set of ideas that explains and evaluates social conditions, helps people understand their place in society, and provides a program for social and political action
List the 4 functions of ideology
Explanatory, evaluative, programatic, and orientative.
What is an ideologue?
An ideologue is someone who unwaveringly commits to an ideology and seeks to spread the word of the ideology.
Status quo vs. critical ideologies
The less distance between the described reality and the ideal, the less critical the ideology is, and the closer it is to the status quo.
What separates ideologies from scientific theories, political philosophies, and religious beliefs?
Ideologies are separate due to the 4 functions of an ideology. Explain peoples place in society, evaluate social conditions, provide a program on how to act, and orient and provide a sense of identity. Scientific theories, political philosophies, and religious beliefs lack some of these.
What do ideologies say about human nature and freedom?
The ideal of every ideology is based around a conception of human nature and an account of human freedom.
What is the origin of the political meaning of left, right, and centre?
The seeting arrangement of the National Assembly during the French Revolution
Why do all ideologies except traditional conservatism have some role for revolution?
Because of conservatives being based in “the right” meaning that during the National Assembly in France, the right want the status-quo be upheld, the centre wanted reform, and the left wanted revolution.
Why aren’t anarchism, populism, and nationalism ideologies?
They aren’t ideologies because they are based within ideologies. For example, anarchists subscribe extreme liberal or socialist conditions.
