Political Ideologies: Anarchism to Democratic Socialism
Anarchism
Anarchism is a political ideology that argues the best government is absolutely no government. It posits that everything about governments is repressive and therefore must be abolished entirely. Anarchism and nihilism were once associated with socialism, and they supported socialists’ call for revolution.
Absolutism
Absolutism is a political system where a single ruler should have control over every aspect of the government and of the people’s lives. The absolute ruler was often seen as a god in human form, claiming the divine right of kings, believing God had chosen them. Key tenets include:
- A strong sense of order: Everything should be carefully structured, as chaos is dangerous.
- A clear-cut law of nature (or law of God): This law must be obeyed.
- Some people are inherently better than others.
- A natural hierarchy (a power structure).
- The wisdom of traditional values and institutions.
Liberalism
In the modern age of the Western world, changes occurred that led to new ideologies, such as the European discovery of the Americas, the rise of Protestantism, and the scientific revolution. Classical liberalism, pioneered by John Locke, rethought the relationship between the individual and society, and the rights and responsibilities of the individual. Core principles include:
- Individualism: The individual takes priority over society.
- Freedom: Individuals have the right to make choices for themselves. This freedom is not absolute, and some behaviors, such as murder, are prohibited.
- Equality: No person is morally or politically superior to others.
- Rationalism: Humans are capable of thinking logically and rationally.
- Progress: Traditions should not be kept unless they have value. New ideas are helpful as they lead to progress and a free market.
Conservatism
Conservatism emerged as a reaction against the liberal ideas taking hold of Europe during the French Revolution. Conservatives believed that liberalism destroyed tradition. Key beliefs include:
- Stability: Change must be gradual. Undermining stability is dangerous and can easily lead to chaos.
- Liberalism is too abstract: It focuses on freedom and equality.
- Liberalism overestimates human beings: Humans are ignorant, making liberalism unrealistic.
- There is no universal answer to the problems of society; the circumstances are unique in each country.
Socialism
Socialism arose as a response to the Industrial Revolution. Its core tenets include:
- Collectivism: Human beings are social by nature, and society should respect this. Individualism is considered poisonous.
- Public Ownership: Society, not individuals, should own the property.
- The government plans the economy; there is no free market.
- All citizens have roughly the same level of prosperity.
Communism
Communism is one of the most prominent evolutions of socialism. It emphasizes a classless society in which all members jointly share the means and output of production. In countries like China and the Soviet Union, the transition to socialism was pursued quickly rather than waiting for it to evolve naturally. Authoritarian and violent measures are often deemed necessary because the defenders of capitalism are believed to fight ferociously to prevent socialism from coming into being.
Democratic Socialism
Democratic Socialism offers a peaceful and democratic approach to achieving socialism. It also emphasizes a classless society. It attempts to achieve its goals peacefully via democratic processes, rejecting the need for an immediate transition to socialism in favor of a gradualist approach, achieved by working within a democratic government. Economic inequalities should be remedied through a welfare state, a system that provides aid to the poor and help to the unemployed.