1. Lots of Bright Ideas but do they work?
Political Ideologies
Lots of Bright Ideas but do they work?

2. What are ideologies?
Political ideologies are action orientated written by political thinkers and authors
Shape political behaviour
3 elements
Description and interpretation of the past
Prescription of an ideal
Recommendations for strategies

3. Types of ideology Well there’s the big ones Liberalism Socialism
Conservatism
Then there’s the others
Racism
Feminism
Greenism etc.

4. So not relevant in the 21st Century is what you are saying Sir?
After all, these authors date back from Socrates, Plato, Machiavelli, Burke, Mill, Marx and Engels.
Who are the great 21st Century thinkers?
Has pragmatism replaced ideology?

5. Left and Right
Comes from the French Revolution of 1789, refers to the seating plan in the first post-revolutionary Parliament
The Communists are on the far-left
The fascists on the far right
And the Liberals are in the Centre
Communists
Socialists
Liberals
Conservatives
Fascists

6. The Political Spectrum is in fact a circle
Too Simple
Communists
The Political Spectrum is in fact a circle
Fascists
Conservatives
Socialists
Liberals

7. Task Draw the Political Spectrum Label all the various parties
Mark on your diagram where you think your views lie.
Now lets see where what they different ‘isms’ fit…….

8. LIBERALISM

9. John Stuart Mill On Liberty

10. Core Values
Individualism
Liberty
Rationalism
Political & Legal Equality

12. Individualism No such thing as a nation, race or socio-economic class.
Individuals do not belong to a group
Everyone pursues their own self interest…”what’s in it for me”?

14. Liberty or Freedom
Individuals must be free to pursue their own self interest
Freedom of thought
Freedom of expression

16. Rationalism Humans are best judge of their own self interest
Rulers, Priests or Civil Servants cannot decide what is best for them
Bentham – If everyone followed their own self interest a greater majority would be happy.

18. Political and Legal Equality
Equality before the law
Equality of opportunity, but not of outcome

20. So what do the Liberal Democrats stand for?
Retain a characteristic liberal interest in individual rights and civil liberties
Liberal Welfare Policies
Strong commitment to Constitutional Reform
Internationalist, humanitarian interest in foreign affairs

21. So how liberal are the Liberal Democrats?
Not overtly Liberal
Tactical rather than ideological approach
Do they co-operate or compete with Labour?
Hmmm…..