Political Ideologies: Anarchism to Socialism
Anarchism: No Government
Anarchism is an ideology that argues the best government is absolutely no government. It contends that everything about governments is repressive and therefore must be abolished entirely. Anarchism and nihilism were once associated with socialism, as they supported the socialist call for revolution.
Absolutism: Single Ruler Authority
Absolutism is a 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, believed to have the divine right of kings, meaning God had chosen him.
Key Characteristics of Absolutism:
- A Strong Sense of Order: Everything should be carefully structured; chaos is dangerous.
- A Clear-Cut Law of Nature (or Law of God): This law must be obeyed.
- Belief in Natural Hierarchy: Some people are inherently better than others, leading to a power structure in which some rule over others.
- The Wisdom of Traditional Values and Institutions: Emphasis on maintaining established traditions.
Liberalism: Individualism and Progress
Liberalism emerged in the modern age of the Western world as 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, notably influenced by John Locke, rethought the relationship between the individual and society, and the rights and responsibilities of the individual.
Key Principles of Liberalism:
- 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, often associated with a free market.
Conservatism: Tradition and Stability
Conservatism arose as a reaction against the liberal ideas taking hold of Europe, particularly during the French Revolution. Conservatives argued that liberalism destroyed tradition.
Key Ideas of Conservatism:
- Stability: Change must be made gradual. Undermining stability is dangerous and can easily lead to chaos.
- Critique of Liberalism: Liberalism is seen as too abstract, focusing excessively on freedom and equality. It is argued that liberalism overestimates human beings, who are seen as potentially ignorant, making liberalism unrealistic.
- Uniqueness of Nations: There is no universal answer to the problems of society; the circumstances are unique in each country.
Socialism: Collectivism and Public Ownership
Socialism is a response to the Industrial Revolution.
Key Principles of Socialism:
- Collectivism: Human beings are social by nature, and society should respect this. Individualism is often seen as poisonous.
- Public Ownership: Society, not individuals, should own the property and means of production.
- Planned Economy: The government plans the economy; there is no free market.
- Equality of Prosperity: All citizens should have roughly the same level of prosperity.
Communism: Classless Society Through Revolution
Communism is one of the most prominent evolutions of socialism. Communism emphasizes a classless society in which all members jointly share the means and output of production.
In countries like China and the Soviet Union, there was an attempt to transition to socialism quickly rather than waiting for it to evolve. Authoritarian and violent measures were often deemed necessary because the defenders of capitalism were expected to fight ferociously to stop socialism from coming into being.
Democratic Socialism: Peaceful Transition
Democratic Socialism is a peaceful and democratic approach to achieving socialism. Like communism, it emphasizes a classless society in which all members jointly share the means and output of production.
However, democratic socialism attempts to achieve its goals peacefully via democratic processes. Adherents reject the need for 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.