St.

John Paul II Institute of Technology

FRA Alvarado Bldg. Sevilla Road San Fernando City, La Union/FRA Building Carmen West Rosales Pangasinan

Quarter 1 - Module 2
Political Ideas and Ideologies
Week 2
Module 2: Political Ideas and Ideologies

In this module, you will be able to:

critique ideas that have a direct impact on how we try to manage ourselves as a political
community;
identify the basic tenets of major political ideologies (i.e., liberalism, socialism,
conservatism, etc.);
differentiate political ideologies;
examine the relationship between political ideologies and configurations of political
communities; and
analyze how political ideologies create an impact on the social and political life of Filipinos.

You have learned in the previous module that politics is a social activity through which
people make and amend the general rules that guide their political life. As a phenomenon,
politics is studied using different theoretical perspectives. The connection between political
theory and practice is established by ideologies, among many others.

Following Aristotle’s contention that man is by nature a political animal, all individuals
are, in essence, political thinkers. Have you heard your parents express their opinions on an issue
of political relevance? How about you? Have you not noticed that individuals use political ideas
and concepts when they share their opinions or whenever they speak their mind? This module
explores these ideas from the perspective of major political ideologies.

The Role of Ideas

Why did the Filipinos march against the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in what became
known as the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution? Why did people do the same during the
time of former President Joseph Estrada in 2001? What are the reasons behind the Million
People March in 2013? There must be some motivating ideas behind their actions.
 Ideas, however abstract they may seem, govern individual behavior. While they are
not ideologies by themselves, they constitute a part of the raw material needed to create one
coherent doctrine. How did the individuals who participate in rallies and protests illustrated in
figures 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 perceive the existence of inequality and injustice during their time?
How did they look at equality? What for them is justice? Surely, these political ideas are not
merely a passive reflection of their personal interests because these inspired and guided them in
their political action.

Fig. 2.1 Protesters during the EDSA People Power in 1986

Source: http://i35.tinypic.com/xqakwg.jpg

Fig. 2.2 Calls for Erap’s resignation

Source: http://www.indolentindio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/gabriela.gif
 Fig. 2.3 Calls for the abolition of pork barrel
Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/Gngz8mxWcwA/UhrI209KrSI/AAAAAAAAGQ0
/XK2LnOTkVtc/1600/banner3.png

As what has been highlighted earlier,

political theory and political practice are
inextricably linked. Political ideas did not come
out of nowhere. They are shaped and continuously
reshaped by current socio-historical, economic, Whether you are conscious or not, ideas govern
and political circumstances. Whether you are individual behavior and conduct. What you
believe to be most important and what you value
conscious or not, your behavior is guided by a set the most, shape and reshape the way you
of ideas, beliefs, or value systems you adhere to. behave. That is the power of political ideas.
At a more general level and at a definitely larger
scale, political ideas shape the nature of political
systems and serve as glue that binds societies together.

Reflect Upon

What values and beliefs in general do you subscribe to? How do they direct your
behavior?
What Have I Learned So Far?

What is the importance of ideas? How do ideas structure human behavior and direct
political systems?

The Nature of Political Ideology

An ideology is more or less a coherent set
of ideas that direct or organize a specific political
action (Heywood 2013). It consists of belief and
value systems, a discussion of existing power Political ideologies are so powerful that they do
relationships, an exploration of how political not only direct individual behavior. They also
shape the structure of a government, a political
change is achieved in line with these power system, and an entire country.
relations, and an illustration of a desired future.
The following are several definitions of political
ideology according to Heywood (2013).

• A political belief system

• An action-orientated set of political ideas
• The ideas of the ruling class
• The world-view of a particular social class or social group
• Political ideas that embody or articulate class or social interests
• Ideas that propagate false consciousness amongst the exploited or oppressed
• Ideas that situate the individual within a social context and generate a sense of collective
belonging
• An officially sanctioned set of ideas used to legitimize a political system or regime
• An all-embracing political doctrine that claims a monopoly of truth
• An abstract and highly systematic set of political ideas
 Before focusing on the major political ideologies, it is important to present first the
spectrum of political attitudes. Whether an individual is radical, liberal, moderate,
conservative, or reactionary is largely represented by his or her political values and beliefs in
political change. You must have heard before the terms leftist or rightist, and you might have
wondered what they really mean in political discourse. Each of the political attitudes
mentioned are positioned in a linear spectrum (figure 2.4)—either on the left, on the middle,
or on the right. Thus, to be a leftist means being supportive of the values on the left of the
spectrum, while being a rightist means espousing the value of those on the right.

Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

Left Right

Fig. 2.4 The spectrum of political attitudes (Baradat 2012)

Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

Left Right

status quo

Fig. 2.5 The status quo in the political spectrum (Baradat 2012)

Each of these is an advocate of a particular

political value and possesses a political attitude
about changing the status quo, or the existing
conditions. Given the illustration in figure 2.4, to be
considered a leftist means supporting the causes of A person’s position in the linear spectrum of
those on the left of the spectrum, where the political attitudes determines the magnitude of
change that he or she wants and the type of
radicals and the liberals are located. These groups methods he or she wishes to use in achieving
advocate changes in the status quo. The this end.
conservatives and the reactionaries, on the other
hand, are located on
the right side. The conservatives are the most supportive of the status quo, which lies
between the conservatives and the reactionaries. The reactionaries, like the conservatives, are
reluctant to progressive change. Therefore, the farther one is from the status quo, the more
dissatisfied he or she is with it, and hence more likely to be supportive of fundamental
changes. The closer a person to the status quo, the less likely he or she is going to call for
change.
 Regarding values, people on the left of the spectrum emphasize political liberty, social
change, human equality, and human rights; while those on the right revere authority,
tradition, elitism, and property rights (Baradat 2012). With these values and attitudes about
change, the different major political ideologies can be positioned in the spectrum and be
labeled as radical, liberal, moderate, conservative, and reactionary.

This linear spectrum of political attitude is criticized for not being able to
accommodate other groups. What are the other ways by which attitudes are presented in a
political spectrum? Who are those considered to be part of the “center”? Where do terrorists,
religious fundamentalists, and military adventurists fall? Share your thoughts with the class.

Reflect Upon

Why do some people resist change while others want it? Is such resistance to or
support for change reflected in your own family? What are some of these instances?
 BEYOND WALLS 2.1 Go Online

How do you look at the political world? What is your political personality? Visit
https://www.politicalcompass.org/test to know your position in the political compass.
What Have I Learned So Far?

1. Define political ideology.

2. Why are ideologies considered important in the political world?

Major Political Ideologies: Key Ideas and Theories
In this section, you will learn the basic tenets of the classical ideologies (liberalism,
conservatism, and socialism) and other ideological traditions that emerged as a reaction to
these classical ones. To review, it was mentioned that these ideologies offer a specific lens
on how to see the political world. The following presents a way of looking at this world,
particularly in terms of power relations, the type of change that is sought and ways on how to
achieve it, and a view of the desired future.

Table 2.1 Major Political Ideologies and Their Key Tenets (Heywood 2013)

Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies

• Belief in individualism underscores the importance of the

human individual compared to any other group.

• Liberty of the individual must be protected. An individual has

freedom when he or she is able to act as he or she pleases.

• Reason can lead individuals to make wise judgments, which

could solve issues or differences.

• Equality implies that individuals are born equal, at least in

Liberalism moral terms. Equal rights and entitlements are at its core. It
must be noted, however, that liberals do not endorse social
equality or equality of outcome.

• Tolerance is the willingness of individuals to allow others to

think and behave in ways they do not approve. It is a
guarantee of individual liberty.

• Authority and social relationships must also be based on

agreement or consent.
 Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies

• Tradition must be conserved. These traditions include established

customs, institutions, and ways of doing things that have endured
through time.

• The belief in pragmatism highlights the limits of human reason.

As a belief, pragmatism emphasizes that action should be shaped
by practical circumstances and goals.

• Human imperfection presents the pessimistic view of

conservatives on the individual. Accordingly, individuals are
morally corrupt and are therefore the sources of crime and
disorder. Order could thus be achieved through a strong state.

• Conservatives believe that society is an organic whole and is a

Conservatism living entity, more than being an artifact of human ingenuity.
This belief is known as organicism.

• Conservatives also believe that social position and status are only
natural. With this, hierarchy is thought to be inevitable.

• Authority must be exercised from above. Leadership is provided

to guide and support those who lack knowledge and education
and those who have little capacity to act for their own interest.

• Conservatives look at property as significant because it is the

individual’s source of security and independence from the
government.

• Belief in the community highlights the degree to which the

Socialism
individual is connected with others. Identity is therefore a product
of social interaction more than innate qualities.

Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies
Socialism (... continued) • Brotherhood or fraternity speaks of a shared common humanity.
Socialists thus prefer cooperation rather than competition and
collectivity rather than individualism.

• Socialists put primacy on social equality over other values. This

is believed to be the basis for social stability and cohesion.

• Socialists look at society in terms of differences in the

distribution of income or wealth. Social class is believed to be an
important social cleavage, which divides societies. The interests
of the working class and the oppressed should be upheld. With
this, eradicating economic and social inequalities is deemed as
the primary goal of socialism.

• Common ownership is also central to socialist thought. Unlike

private property, common ownership is a means to harness
material resources for the common good.

• Historical materialism or the materialist conception of history

provides that the economy (mode of production) conditions all
other aspects of social life—including the law, government,
politics, education, etc.

• The dialectic, a process of interaction between competing forces,

drives change and leads to a higher stage of development.
Historical change is therefore a consequence of contradictions in
Marxism
the mode of production, as reflected in class conflict.

• The exploitation of the proletariat (workers) by the capitalists

(owners of the means of production) would develop class
consciousness among the former, hence ushering a proletarian
revolution which will facilitate the creation of a communist
society.
 Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies

Marxism (... continued) • A communist society—one that is classless and stateless—will

arise when class antagonisms fade.

• Social democrats stand for a balance between the market and

the state, and between the individual and the community.

• This ideology promotes compromise between the acceptance

of capitalism and the distribution of wealth according to
moral, rather than market principles.
Social Democracy
• Social democratic thought is concerned with the weak, the
vulnerable, and the underdog.

• Compassion, common humanity, freedom, equal

opportunities, paternal duty, and care are among the values
social democracy recognizes.

• Fascism is an ultranationalist ideology. As such, it subscribes

to the idea of a supreme race, whose members should enjoy
the natural resources. It is by nature exclusive as it excludes
nonmembers of the race.
Fascism
• Fascism was manifested during Mussolini’s fascist dictatorship
in Italy and Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship in Germany.

• Common values upheld are struggle, leadership, power,

heroism, and war.
 Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies

• The “new man” or a hero who is motivated by duty, honor,

and self-sacrifice; and gives unrelenting obedience to the
supreme leader is a fascist ideal.

• Fascism has an anti-character: antiliberalism, anti-

Fascism (... continued)
individualism, anticapitalism, etc.

• Fascists believe in a unified national community or strength

through unity. As such, individual identity is not as important
as that of the social group or community.

• The state, or any political authority, is seen as both evil and

unnecessary.

• Anarchists prefer a stateless society. Individuals can best

Anarchism manage their own affairs through voluntary agreement and
cooperation.

• Anarchism is thus at the intersection of liberalism and

socialism.

• Feminism is diverse but its unifying theme is the desire to

enhance the social role of women.
• Society is characterized by sexual or gender inequality.

• The structure of male power must be overturned, hence the

Feminism
belief in gender equality.
• Its strands include liberal feminism, socialist feminism,
and radical feminism. There are also “new feminisms” that
emerged.
 Major Political
Key Tenets
Ideologies

• This ideology is linked with the emergence of environmental

movement. It also rose as a revolt against industrialization.

• It is concerned with the damages brought by economic

development and by the declining quality of human
Green Politics/ existence.
Ecologism
• Conventional ideologies are a vehicle of ecologism.
Ecosocialism looks at the destruction of the environment due
to capitalism; ecofeminism traces this crisis to male power;
and ecoconservatism links the cause of conservation to the
desire to preserve tradition and institutions.

• Ideological expression of globalization

• It is a belief in a cosmopolis or a world state. It is thus

associated with the project of world government.

• Modern cosmopolitanism tends to have a moral or a cultural

Cosmopolitanism character, believing that the world constitutes a single moral
community.

• Cosmopolitanism focuses on the idea that all other people in

the world have obligations to each other regardless of
nationality, ethnicity, and the like.
What Have I Learned So Far?

1. What are the differences among the major political ideologies reviewed
previously?

2. What similarities do these political ideologies share?

Look at the following pictures. What political values or ideas inherent in the political
ideologies presented do the pictures depict, if not refer to? Share your thoughts with the class.

FIRST CLASS

ECONOMY CLASS

NO CLASS

Illustration 1
Adapted from: http://www.toonpool.com/user/589/files/no_class_206785.jpg
Illustration 2

Illustration 3
 NO LAW CAN GIVE YOU
FREEDOM

Illustration 4
Adapted from: http://www.reallibertymedia.com/wp-content
/uploads/2013/07/anarchism-law-and-freedom.jpg

Reflect Upon

1. After learning some of the key principles of different political ideologies, which of
them do you agree with most and why?

2. On a more general level, how are these political ideologies reflected in the Philippine
society?

3. Identify political ideologies that are in place in the Philippines.

Ideologies and the Philippine Society
One may ask how political ideologies have affected Philippine politics and society.
According to Buendia (1992), ideologies are critical in a country’s political life as they make
and unmake regimes and governments. He continued, “in the Philippines, ideologies remain
to be sharpened and fashioned to the country’s needs and demands for development. Many of
the solutions proposed by various ideologies are shaped by the way the national problems are
defined or seen” (p. 64).

Which values and beliefs materialized in the course of Philippine political history? Has
liberalism triumphed over other beliefs in the country? Or has communism weakened in the
Philippines? Is feminism present and how has it influenced our society?

While the larger portion of the Philippine society is not motivated by any ideology,
several groups, political parties, and sections of the country espouse certain ideologies. As
Buendia (1992) claimed, these organizations and their ideologies continue to compete in
offering solutions and programs of government to respond to the nation’s problems.

BEYOND WALLS 2.2 Read and Answer

Read the article “Ideologies in the Philippines: A Comparative Analysis” written by

Rizal Buendia (1992), available at http://dl.nsf.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/1/13975/ER-18(7-9)
-20.pdf?sequence=2. Answer the following questions afterward.
1. What conceptualization of ideology did the author use? How did he look at
ideology?

2. What ideologies used by groups or organizations in the Philippines did the author
present? How did these ideologies look at Philippine society? What are the most
pressing problems the country faces according to these groups and organizations, and what
solutions do they espouse? How have these ideologies influenced the course of Philippine
society?

3. What are the other ideologies that have arisen out of the need to address specific
problems in the country at present? Which groups or sections of our society espouse these
ideologies? What influence do they have in the Philippine society, for instance, in policy
making? Which of these do you adhere to and why?

BEYOND WALLS 2.3 Apply It in Real Life

You are a speechwriter for a Philippine senator who is a known feminist. The public official
is expected to deliver a speech before university students and several luminaries regarding
issues of women and feminism in Philippine society. The senator asked you to write about
women and their participation in Philippine politics. The senator will evaluate your output
based on content (relevance) and structure (grammar and organization). The senator is
given 30 minutes to deliver the speech and entertain questions. It is thus ideal that the
speech runs for about 6 to 7 minutes to give ample time to answer questions from the
audience.
Extend Your Knowledge
The following are Internet links you can visit to update you with information,
projects and other interesting articles related to political ideas and ideologies.
• The Center for Political Ideologies at http://cpi.politics.ox.ac.uk

• Conservatism Today at http://www.conservatismtoday.com

• Marxist Archives at http://www.marxists.org/archive/

Here are some online articles that present ideologically motivated conflicts and
gender ideologies in the Philippines:
• Bautista, M. “Ideologically Motivated Conflicts in the Philippines: Exploring the
Possibility of an Early Warning System.” (2005). http://hdn.org.ph/wp-content/
uploads/2005_PHDR/2005%20Cynthia_Bautista.pdf.

• Sobritchea, C. “The Ideology of Female Domesticity: Its Impact on the Status

of Filipino Women. Review of Women’s Studies, 1, no. 1 (2015): 26–41. http://
www.journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/rws/article/viewFile/3249/3047.

ESSENTIAL LEARNING
You have learned the importance of ideas in shaping the behavior of an
individual at the micro level and the society at large. Political ideologies are
powerful such that they shape the structure of a society—the institutions and the
ways of doing things. These ideologies are comprised of beliefs and value systems
that give rise to political processes; they also constitute ideas about change and its
desired future. Ideologies vary from the classical to the contemporary ones. These
ideologies have different perspectives on various issues, but also have similarities on
a number of respects. The relevance of these ideologies rises and falls depending on
their significance to explain current social, political, and economic circumstances.