Ideas to ActionsIdeas to Actions

Andrew Levin, MSAndrew Levin, MS 2/16/122/16/12

IdeologiesIdeologies

Ideologies are not static or set in Ideologies are not static or set in stone. They respond to political stone. They respond to political events, as much as they affect events, as much as they affect

political events.political events.

History of modern ideologiesHistory of modern ideologies

Classical liberalism rose in the Enlightenment. Classical liberalism rose in the Enlightenment. Important thinkers: Important thinkers: John LockeJohn Locke Adam SmithAdam Smith de Montesquieude Montesquieu RousseauRousseau The framers of the Declaration of Independence The framers of the Declaration of Independence and, later, and, later, John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill

The U.S. is a classical liberal democracy.The U.S. is a classical liberal democracy.

Ideologies, continuedIdeologies, continued

Conservative thought arose in response to the Conservative thought arose in response to the excesses of the French Revolution of 1789. excesses of the French Revolution of 1789. Important thinker: Important thinker: Edmund BurkeEdmund Burke..

In the U.S., conservative thought also blended In the U.S., conservative thought also blended with classical liberalism.with classical liberalism.

Ideologies, continuedIdeologies, continued

In the 19In the 19thth century, century, socialismsocialism, , communismcommunism and and anarchism anarchism were responses to the economic were responses to the economic distresses brought by industrial capitalism.distresses brought by industrial capitalism.

Ideologies, continuedIdeologies, continued

FascismFascism and its most extreme form, and its most extreme form, NazismNazism, , developed in the early 20developed in the early 20 thth century as a century as a reaction against the perceived failings of reaction against the perceived failings of liberalism, conservatism, socialism and liberalism, conservatism, socialism and communism. communism.

Ideologies, continuedIdeologies, continued

New ideologies emerge in response to new New ideologies emerge in response to new

needs. Developing out of (and in reaction to) needs. Developing out of (and in reaction to) liberalism in late 20th century were:liberalism in late 20th century were: EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism Postmodernism Postmodernism FeminismFeminism

Classical liberalism – key ideasClassical liberalism – key ideas

Human beings are rational and equal Human beings are rational and equal Small & limited government is bestSmall & limited government is best Government rules with the consent of the Government rules with the consent of the

governedgoverned Individual rights important: Individual rights important:

tolerance of dissent & freedom of consciencetolerance of dissent & freedom of conscience free marketplacefree marketplace ideal of political equality & democratic processideal of political equality & democratic process

Absolute despotism Absolute despotism once had to be acceptedonce had to be accepted

Before classical liberalism, the dominant idea Before classical liberalism, the dominant idea was that God created political society, not was that God created political society, not people.people.

Monarchs ruled through divine right. Monarchs ruled through divine right. If people suffered under a bad king, it was If people suffered under a bad king, it was

God’s will. Disobeying a bad king was a sin; God’s will. Disobeying a bad king was a sin; killing a bad king was regicide.killing a bad king was regicide.

Therefore, people had a duty to accept and Therefore, people had a duty to accept and obey (view of Robert Filmer). obey (view of Robert Filmer).

John LockeJohn Locke

View of the state of nature (pre-civil society)View of the state of nature (pre-civil society)

1.1. Human beings are rational, free & equal. Human beings are rational, free & equal. They are capable of running their own lives.They are capable of running their own lives.

2.2. They have rights to life, health, liberty and They have rights to life, health, liberty and possessions that no one should harm.possessions that no one should harm.

3.3. Yet there are no mechanisms (no police, no Yet there are no mechanisms (no police, no courts, etc.) to ensure that the strong do not courts, etc.) to ensure that the strong do not prey upon the weak.prey upon the weak.

John Locke, continuedJohn Locke, continued

To secure their rights, therefore, people give To secure their rights, therefore, people give

up some freedom and form government. The up some freedom and form government. The government’s purpose is to protect rights. It is government’s purpose is to protect rights. It is a type of contract. a type of contract.

The people retain their sovereignty, and the The people retain their sovereignty, and the government is just a mechanism to help them. government is just a mechanism to help them. The individual is superior to the government.The individual is superior to the government.

John Locke, continuedJohn Locke, continued

If government fails to protect those rights and If government fails to protect those rights and becomes tyrannical, then the contract is null becomes tyrannical, then the contract is null and void. The government loses its and void. The government loses its legitimacy, and people are free to make a new legitimacy, and people are free to make a new government. [government. [The Second Treatise on The Second Treatise on GovernmentGovernment] ]

Called a “right of revolution.”Called a “right of revolution.”

Adam SmithAdam Smith

His famous work, His famous work, The Wealth of Nations, The Wealth of Nations, provides the theoretical basis for capitalism. provides the theoretical basis for capitalism. What makes him liberal? What makes him liberal?

Adam Smith, continuedAdam Smith, continued

The emphasis on rationality, the ability of The emphasis on rationality, the ability of individuals to make decisions to advance their individuals to make decisions to advance their own self-interest. The idea that government own self-interest. The idea that government should leave people alone to make their own should leave people alone to make their own economic choices.economic choices.

In fact, individual selfish choices would serve In fact, individual selfish choices would serve the common good through the invisible hand the common good through the invisible hand of the market.of the market.

Locke & Smith on EqualityLocke & Smith on Equality

Their view was that people in the state of Their view was that people in the state of nature are equal in their rights, but not in their nature are equal in their rights, but not in their talents or their wealth.talents or their wealth.

Economic inequality is not necessarily unfair, Economic inequality is not necessarily unfair, since it is based on people’s free choices.since it is based on people’s free choices.

Freedom to make choices is a higher value Freedom to make choices is a higher value than equality.than equality.

Evolution of liberalismEvolution of liberalism

The result was The result was laissez faire capitalism.laissez faire capitalism. Terrible economic & social conditions for Terrible economic & social conditions for workers, including children. Government workers, including children. Government powerless to act. powerless to act.

Led to rethinking liberalism. A good society Led to rethinking liberalism. A good society might need more than right procedures. It also might need more than right procedures. It also needed certain outcomes.needed certain outcomes.

Evolution, continuedEvolution, continued

The philosophy of The philosophy of UtilitarianismUtilitarianism emerged. emerged. Governments should pursue policies that Governments should pursue policies that create the greatest good (or utility) for the create the greatest good (or utility) for the greatest number of people.greatest number of people.

This utility calculation would provide a This utility calculation would provide a rational guideline for government policy.rational guideline for government policy.

Further developmentsFurther developments

After utilitarianism (which never caught on in After utilitarianism (which never caught on in the U.S.), liberalism developed into the U.S.), liberalism developed into Social Social JusticeJustice or or Modern LiberalismModern Liberalism. .

Modern liberalism is not fearful of government Modern liberalism is not fearful of government power. Instead, government power can be a power. Instead, government power can be a force for good, limiting the worst conditions of force for good, limiting the worst conditions of poverty, illiteracy, racism, exploitation, etc.poverty, illiteracy, racism, exploitation, etc.

The basis of progressive or liberal politics in The basis of progressive or liberal politics in the U.S.the U.S.

An activist view of governmentAn activist view of government

Jane Addams (1860-1935)Jane Addams (1860-1935) Founded Hull House to serve Founded Hull House to serve

the poor in Chicago in 1889. the poor in Chicago in 1889.

Pushed for laws to improve Pushed for laws to improve

working and living working and living

conditions for the poor.conditions for the poor.

Promoted government actionPromoted government action

in education, better in education, better

sanitation, & women’s sanitation, & women’s

right to vote.right to vote.

Evolution to modern liberalismEvolution to modern liberalism

Key thinker:Key thinker:J.S. Mill J.S. Mill (1806-1873)(1806-1873)

He worked also withHe worked also withhis wife & his wife & intellectual partner intellectual partner Harriet Taylor MillHarriet Taylor Mill(1807-1858)(1807-1858)

John Stuart Mill, John Stuart Mill, On LibertyOn Liberty

English political theoristEnglish political theorist Wrote this book in 1859Wrote this book in 1859 Also wrote a book in favor of women’s rightsAlso wrote a book in favor of women’s rights He is considered a bridge between classical He is considered a bridge between classical

liberalism and modern liberalismliberalism and modern liberalism

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill

““The most influential English-speaking philosopher The most influential English-speaking philosopher of the 19of the 19thth century. His views are of continuing century. His views are of continuing significance, and are generally recognized to be significance, and are generally recognized to be among the deepest and certainly the most effective among the deepest and certainly the most effective defenses of … a liberal political view of society. The defenses of … a liberal political view of society. The overall aim of his philosophy is to develop a positive overall aim of his philosophy is to develop a positive view of the universe …which contributes to the view of the universe …which contributes to the progress of human knowledge, individual freedom progress of human knowledge, individual freedom and human well-being.”and human well-being.”

From the Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyFrom the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

On LibertyOn Liberty

Mill argues that diversity in ideas and in Mill argues that diversity in ideas and in conduct is a good thing, one that society ought conduct is a good thing, one that society ought to encourage, not discourage. to encourage, not discourage.

He especially defends freedom of thought and He especially defends freedom of thought and discussion. "We can never be sure that the discussion. "We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion, and if we were sure, stifling it would opinion, and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still." be an evil still."

The value of freedom of thoughtThe value of freedom of thought

The opinion may be true. We are not The opinion may be true. We are not infallible.infallible.

The opinion may be partly true, and the truth The opinion may be partly true, and the truth can only emerge after free and full debate.can only emerge after free and full debate.

The opinion may be false, but debate is still The opinion may be false, but debate is still valuable because it keeps our views from valuable because it keeps our views from becoming dead dogma or rigid biases.becoming dead dogma or rigid biases.

From “On Liberty”From “On Liberty”

““The sole end for which mankind are The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively... in warranted, individually or collectively... in interfering with the liberty of action of any of interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection." their number, is self-protection."

From “On Liberty”From “On Liberty”

Society can interfere, but for one reason only: Society can interfere, but for one reason only: to stop harm to others. Society may protect to stop harm to others. Society may protect itself and other individuals.itself and other individuals.

But society may NOT interfere in order to But society may NOT interfere in order to protect us from our own bad choices.protect us from our own bad choices.

So, does a behavior affect others? Or only So, does a behavior affect others? Or only ourselves?ourselves?

Mill and Foreign PolicyMill and Foreign Policy

Would Mill have agreed with U.S. military Would Mill have agreed with U.S. military intervention to throw out a dictator and help intervention to throw out a dictator and help establish a democracy? Or as is being establish a democracy? Or as is being discussed with Syria, arming opposition discussed with Syria, arming opposition militias with heavy weaponry?militias with heavy weaponry?

Mill and Foreign PolicyMill and Foreign Policy

““I am not aware that any community has a right I am not aware that any community has a right to force another to be civilized. So long as the to force another to be civilized. So long as the sufferers by the bad law do not invoke sufferers by the bad law do not invoke assistance from other communities, I cannotassistance from other communities, I cannot

admit that persons entirely unconnected with admit that persons entirely unconnected with them ought to step in...”them ought to step in...”

So probably NO [depends on the meaning of So probably NO [depends on the meaning of “invoke assistance.”]“invoke assistance.”]

Which brings us to Non-Western Which brings us to Non-Western IdeologiesIdeologies

Like the American colonists, many “wars of Like the American colonists, many “wars of liberation” are routed in Locke’s concepts of liberation” are routed in Locke’s concepts of individual freedoms.individual freedoms.

E.g. Latin America, IndonesiaE.g. Latin America, Indonesia

Liberalism, ConsequencesLiberalism, Consequences

Land Reform Land Reform

Removal of ReligionRemoval of Religion

Introduction of welfare-state policies (positive Introduction of welfare-state policies (positive liberalism)liberalism)

Conservatism in the Developing Conservatism in the Developing WorldWorld

Worry about effects of equality on the “social Worry about effects of equality on the “social fabric”fabric”

Worry about pace of changeWorry about pace of change

Like the status quo or the perceived pastLike the status quo or the perceived past

Authoritarianism maybe an Authoritarianism maybe an outgrowth of Conservatismoutgrowth of Conservatism

The textbook suggests that the Peruvian tradition The textbook suggests that the Peruvian tradition of authoritarianism has been a tradition since of authoritarianism has been a tradition since pre-colonial times.pre-colonial times.

Even under democratic elections, Nigeria is still Even under democratic elections, Nigeria is still controlled by arranged presidential “power controlled by arranged presidential “power shifts” by a small oliogarchy.shifts” by a small oliogarchy.

Is this protecting the “social fabric”?Is this protecting the “social fabric”?

Authoritariansim, cont.Authoritariansim, cont.

In Peru, there may be a case for this. President In Peru, there may be a case for this. President Fujimori’s strong-hand stemmed terrorism and Fujimori’s strong-hand stemmed terrorism and allowed Peruvians to better have freedoms. allowed Peruvians to better have freedoms. However, you better not get in Fujimori’s way However, you better not get in Fujimori’s way even as a bystander!even as a bystander!

In Nigeria, it is about providing just enough In Nigeria, it is about providing just enough stability to continue cronyism among stability to continue cronyism among oliogarchical elite.oliogarchical elite.

Conservatism-ExtremismConservatism-Extremism

Governments and organizations may be Governments and organizations may be fundamentalist in nature (sometimes a fundamentalist in nature (sometimes a transformation of anti-colonial, anti-West transformation of anti-colonial, anti-West sentiment)sentiment)

E.g. Iran, Taliban in Afghanistan, E.g. Iran, Taliban in Afghanistan, evangelical Christians in Ugandaevangelical Christians in Uganda

Tempering ExtremismTempering ExtremismAnti-terrorism, Direct AttackAnti-terrorism, Direct Attack

E.g. China strict control of ‘dissidents’E.g. China strict control of ‘dissidents’

NegotiationsNegotiations

E.g. Aceh – Indonesia Peace TreatyE.g. Aceh – Indonesia Peace Treaty

Activism through DemocracyActivism through Democracy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12298018

Socialism in the Developing Socialism in the Developing WorldWorld

Very popular model after colonial Very popular model after colonial independence…Remember it was the Cold independence…Remember it was the Cold War!War!

Class-based struggle (Proletariat and the Class-based struggle (Proletariat and the Bourgeosie) transformed into colonists against Bourgeosie) transformed into colonists against the colonizedthe colonized

E.g. Indonesia, Angola, Vietnam, ChinaE.g. Indonesia, Angola, Vietnam, China

Democratic SocialismDemocratic Socialism

Socialism with a social agenda of education and Socialism with a social agenda of education and literacy (1970s Africa)literacy (1970s Africa)

National in scope, little care about international National in scope, little care about international revolutionrevolution

And they did not like the World Bank nor the And they did not like the World Bank nor the International Monetary FundInternational Monetary Fund

Ujamma (Brotherhood) Villages Ujamma (Brotherhood) Villages of Tanzania in the 1970sof Tanzania in the 1970s

Forced resettlement of pastoralists and very rural Forced resettlement of pastoralists and very rural subsistence farmers (5 million)subsistence farmers (5 million)

Created to distribute education, clinics, clean Created to distribute education, clinics, clean water, electricity, and access to better farming water, electricity, and access to better farming equipmentequipment

Also, meant to prevent Peru-style landlessnessAlso, meant to prevent Peru-style landlessness

Can you think of a case study country that tried Can you think of a case study country that tried collectivization? Do you think this worked? collectivization? Do you think this worked?

It failedIt failed

James C. Scott in “See like a State” explains:James C. Scott in “See like a State” explains:

Mono-crop required expert adviceMono-crop required expert advice

Farmers focused on their other private holdingsFarmers focused on their other private holdings

Like China’s “Great Leap Forward” local official Like China’s “Great Leap Forward” local official exagerated crop yields & did not share powerexagerated crop yields & did not share power

FacismFacism

Beyond Nazism, facism is an ideology of Beyond Nazism, facism is an ideology of division and hierarchy. division and hierarchy.

Human Rights can be violated for those deemed Human Rights can be violated for those deemed inferior and liberties denied for all but the inferior and liberties denied for all but the small authoritarian elite.small authoritarian elite.

Facism PropagandaFacism Propaganda

Integral to regimes such as Pinochet’s in ChileIntegral to regimes such as Pinochet’s in Chile

AnarchistsAnarchists

Proponents of voluntary cooperation and free Proponents of voluntary cooperation and free associationassociation

Puerto Rican Luisa Capetillo used this increase Puerto Rican Luisa Capetillo used this increase women’s role in labor unionswomen’s role in labor unions

Do not like the World Trade Organization nor Do not like the World Trade Organization nor the G-20the G-20

Political Culture-Civic CulturePolitical Culture-Civic Culture

ParticipantParticipant

SubjectSubject

ParochialParochial

By Gabriel Almond & Sidney VerbaBy Gabriel Almond & Sidney Verba

IdentitiesIdentities

Populist Movements, concept of nationalismPopulist Movements, concept of nationalism

Why might this be very common in China, Why might this be very common in China, harder to accomplish in Nigeria?harder to accomplish in Nigeria?

Identities, continuedIdentities, continued

China is generally ethnically/linguistically China is generally ethnically/linguistically homogenous. homogenous.

Nigeria is very heterogenousNigeria is very heterogenous

So in these places other cleavages are also very So in these places other cleavages are also very important, such as…important, such as…

Other IdentititesOther Identitites

GeographyGeography

Religion: Secular or TheocracyReligion: Secular or Theocracy

Founders of Islamism, or political Islam, were Founders of Islamism, or political Islam, were often New Elite.often New Elite.

AKP in Turkey is more interested in stronger AKP in Turkey is more interested in stronger democracy than religion.democracy than religion.

Taliban is extreme IslamismTaliban is extreme Islamism

Liberation IdeologyLiberation Ideology

Started in Peru by Gustavo GutierrezStarted in Peru by Gustavo Gutierrez

Social Praxis over OrthodoxySocial Praxis over Orthodoxy

Collective SinCollective Sin

Poverty is caused by structures, not Poverty is caused by structures, not individual “laziness or bad luck” and we must individual “laziness or bad luck” and we must all do our part to help alleviate it. all do our part to help alleviate it.

GenderGender

Feminism challenges notions of “correct” female Feminism challenges notions of “correct” female and male behaviorand male behavior

Mexico has long been a feminist leaderMexico has long been a feminist leader

Motherist Activism in Brazil Motherist Activism in Brazil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ebkmo1Ygz8

Can a veil a political symbol?Can a veil a political symbol?

Other IdentitiesOther Identities

Union membershipUnion membership

Party AffiliationParty Affiliation

You! (College Students)You! (College Students)

New MediaNew Media

The Internet has been a tool of proponents of all The Internet has been a tool of proponents of all the ideologiesthe ideologies

From Arab Spring (positive liberalism) to the From Arab Spring (positive liberalism) to the “Great Fire Wall” (authoritarian socialism)“Great Fire Wall” (authoritarian socialism)

Focus on Weapons of the WeakFocus on Weapons of the Weak

Music/TelevisionMusic/Television

Fela Kuti: Fela Kuti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU-dV7LZ4jo

Youssou N’Dour: Youssou N’Dour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU9x0PK9Re8&feature=fvst

Telenovelas have even been part Brazilian’s Telenovelas have even been part Brazilian’s women’s efforts for reproductive rights (N.G.)women’s efforts for reproductive rights (N.G.)

Weapons of the Weak, cont.Weapons of the Weak, cont.

RumorsRumors

Mandate of Heaven: Mandate of Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjqdq-GG-RQ

Self-Mutilation/Suicide?Self-Mutilation/Suicide?

Suicide-Gate, from a Chinese perspective:Suicide-Gate, from a Chinese perspective:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWFsMlRyJ7Q