Political Ideologies - CF Flashcards
(668 cards)
What is the definition of political ideology?
Political ideology is a versatile concept that guides political behavior and policymaking, primarily concerned with the allocation and utilization of power.
What does the term ‘End of Ideology’ refer to?
The ‘End of Ideology’ debate discusses the idea that ideological conflicts may have diminished in contemporary politics, suggesting a shift towards pragmatism and consensus over ideological extremes.
What is Hannah Arendt’s analysis of ideology in modern totalitarian regimes?
Hannah Arendt analyzed ideology as a crucial element in modern totalitarian regimes, arguing that it serves to justify oppressive actions and create a unified worldview that suppresses dissent.
What is the Marxist view on ideology?
The Marxist view on ideology posits that it functions as a mechanism for maintaining the ruling class’s power, often through concepts like false consciousness and cultural hegemony.
What is the concept of false consciousness in Marxist ideology?
False consciousness is a concept introduced by Marx, referring to the phenomenon where the working class unknowingly adopts the ruling class’s ideology, obscuring their understanding of their own exploitation.
What is the ideological superstructure according to Marx?
The ideological superstructure, according to Marx, is shaped by society’s economic foundation, ensuring that the ruling class’s ideological dominance is maintained through economic power.
What is the revolutionary potential in Marxist ideology?
The revolutionary potential in Marxist ideology refers to the belief in the working class’s ability to achieve class consciousness and challenge the ideological controls of the capitalist system.
What did Friedrich Engels contribute to the understanding of ideology?
Friedrich Engels extended the idea of ideology as a reflection of class interests, arguing that the state serves the ruling class’s interests and perpetuates its ideology.
What is the concept of ‘cultural hegemony’ as proposed by Antonio Gramsci?
Cultural hegemony is the idea that the ruling class maintains power not just through force but by shaping and controlling the dominant culture and ideology, with intellectuals playing a key role in disseminating and challenging this hegemonic ideology.
What are ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ (ISAS) according to Louis Althusser?
ISAS are institutions such as education, media, and religion that play a pivotal role in reproducing capitalist ideology and social order, highlighting the material practices through which ideology is transmitted and maintained.
What does Herbert Marcuse mean by ‘false consciousness’?
False consciousness refers to the manipulation of people’s desires and needs by advanced capitalist societies, creating false needs and maintaining a distorted perception of reality through consumerism and mass media.
How did Lenin view the role of ideology in class struggle?
Lenin saw ideology as a reflection of class interests, with the ruling class promoting its own ideology to maintain power, and he emphasized the need for a vanguard party to promote Marxist ideology among the working class.
What is the significance of ‘reification’ in Georg Lukács’ critique of capitalism?
Reification is the process by which capitalist societies transform social relations into commodities, leading to dehumanization, and is key to Lukács’ critique of capitalism’s impact on human consciousness.
What is ‘ideological pluralism’ as proposed by Karl Mannheim?
Ideological pluralism is the idea that societies exhibit a variety of worldviews shaped by differing social positions and interests, necessitating an understanding of this diversity in ideologies.
What is totalitarianism as defined by Hannah Arendt?
Totalitarianism is a novel and distinct form of political tyranny that emerged in the 20th century, characterized by regimes such as Nazi Germany and Stalinist Soviet Union, which sought to exert total control over every aspect of human life.
How does Hannah Arendt define ideology?
Arendt defines ideology as a closed system of ideas and beliefs that claims to be an all-encompassing truth, serving as a comprehensive worldview that aims to provide final solutions to all political, social, and existential questions.
What role does ideology play in totalitarian regimes according to Arendt?
Ideology is central to the rise of totalitarian regimes, as it is instrumentalized by leaders to gain and maintain power, manipulate the population, and create a conformist following.
What is the conservative concept of ideology as critiqued by Michael Oakeshott?
Oakeshott critiques ideological thinking, advocating for a nuanced approach to politics grounded in tradition and skepticism towards rationalist ideologies, emphasizing practical activity over utopian visions.
What is Oakeshott’s view on rationalism in politics?
Oakeshott criticizes rationalism for neglecting the complexities of human experience and the significance of tradition, proposing a focus on practical challenges instead.
What does Oakeshott mean by ‘civil association’?
Civil association is a framework for cooperation based on shared traditions rather than ideological conformity, promoting collaboration among individuals with diverse beliefs.
What is Oakeshott’s anti-utopian stance?
Oakeshott critically views utopianism as unrealistic, arguing that it leads to disillusionment by attempting to impose idealistic visions on complex realities.
What is the Banality of Evil?
The Banality of Evil is a concept coined by Hannah Arendt to describe how ordinary individuals can commit horrific acts without critical thought or moral reflection, merely by following orders and conforming to the ideology of a regime.
What is the Importance of Action according to Hannah Arendt?
Hannah Arendt believed that human freedom and political agency are preserved through action, which is the capacity to initiate something new.
What is the Paradox of Tolerance as introduced by Karl Popper?
The Paradox of Tolerance is the idea that for a society to remain open and tolerant, it must be intolerant of ideologies that seek to destroy that openness and tolerance.