Ideology

IDEOLOGY

An ideology is a collection of ideas. The word ideology was coined by Count Destutt de tracy in the late 18th century to define a "science of ideas." An ideology can be thought of as a comprehensive vision, as a way of looking at things, as in common sense and several philosiphical tendencies, or a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society

Every society has an ideology that forms the basis of the "public opinion" or common sense, a basis that usually remains invisible to most people within the society. This dominant ideology appears as "neutral", holding to assumptions that are largely unchallenged. Meanwhile, all other ideologies that differ from the dominant ideology are seen as radical, no matter what the content of their actual vision may be. Organisations that strive for power will try to influence the ideology of a society to become closer to what they want it to be. Political organisations (govenments included) and other groups (e.g. lobbyists) try to influence people by broadcasting their opinions.

Liberalism is an ideology, or current of political thought, which holds liberty as the primary political value. Liberalism seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on the power of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a free market economy that supports private enterpise, and a system of gvoenment that is transparent. This form of government favors liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law, and an equal opportunity to succeed. Liberalism rejected many foundational assumptions which dominated most earlier theories of government, such as the divine rights of kings, hereditary status, and established religion. Fundamental human rights that all liberals support include the right to life, liberty, and property.

Conservatism is any number of political philophies or attitude amphasizing respect for traditonal instituitons,distrust of government activismm and opposition to sudden change in the established order. Conservatism often refers to a political philosophy first enunciated by Anglo-Irish statesman Edmund Burke. Burkean conservatives wish to conserve heritage; they advocate the current social climate. To a Burkean, any existing value or institution has undergone the correcting influence of past experience and ought to be respected. Burkeans do not reject change, as Burke wrote "a state without the means of change is without the means of its conservation," but they insist that further change be organic, rather than revolutionary.

Liberals tolerate variety in lifestyle, but favour government interventions in economic areas. They see the government as a means to help the disadvantaged achieve greater equality.

American conservatism is a heterogeneous

political movement that incorporates many different ideologies under the blanket heading of conservative. Included are social conservatives, economic conservatives, and religious conservatives. Modern American conservatism coalesced in the latter half of the 20th century, initially in response to the years of political and social change associated with the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the American Civil Rights Movement, and the women's liberation movement.

Communitarianism