Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Philippine Politics and Governance

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS 12
Module 2 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

IDEOLOGIES
For this module, we will talk about political ideologies that influence political behavior and
governance on the state. We will also analyze how ideologies work as well as how they
manifest themselves through the different elements.

Learning Objectives:
A. define political ideology;
B. distinguish the different political ideologies; and
C. analyze how ideologies affect political behavior.

The term “ideology” came from the French word ideologie Ideology in Politics
which means “science of ideas,” and it was conceived by Political ideology is a set of
French philosopher Destutt de Tracy. Simply put, ideology is ideas that are combined in a
a set of related ideas or a systematic group of concepts variety of ways to guide,
and beliefs about culture, society, and human life. Often, inspire, or incite people to
ideologies dictate how the society should be structured. political action.

All people are political thinkers. Whether they know it or not, people use political ideas and
concepts whenever they express their opinions or speak their mind. Everyday language is
littered with terms such as ‘freedom’, ‘fairness’, ‘equality’, ‘justice’ and ‘rights.’ In the same
way, words such as ‘conservative’, ‘liberal’, ‘socialist’, ‘communist’ and ‘fascist’ are regularly
employed by people either to describe their own views, or of others. However, even though
such terms are familiar, they are seldom used with any precision or a clear grasp of their
meaning. What is ‘equality’? What does it mean to say that all people are equal? Are people
born equal, should they be treated by society as if they are equal? Should people have equal
rights, equal opportunities, equal political influence, equal wages? Similarly, words such as
‘communist’ or ‘fascist’ are commonly misused. What does it mean to call someone a
‘fascist’? What values or beliefs do fascists hold, and why do they hold them? How do
communist views differ from those of, say, liberals, conservatives, or socialists?

CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES (by Heywood)

1. It offers lenses for the socio-political condition of a state, often in the form of a worldview;
2. It provides a model of a desired future, a vision of a good society, and
3. It outlines how political change can and should be brought about.

A unifying set of political ideas and values can develop naturally within a society. However, it
can also be enforced from above to manufacture obedience and thereby operates as a form
of social control. The values of elite groups such as political and military leaders, government
officials, landowners or industrialists may diverge significantly from those of the masses. Ruling
elites may use political ideas to contain opposition and restrict debate through a process of
ideological manipulation.

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 Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Philippine Politics and Governance
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS 12
Module 2 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

TYPES OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES

Elements of Liberalism
A. LIBERALISM
• Individualism
It is a political ideology that gives importance to the fulfillment of • Freedom
the individual through the satisfaction of his interests. It views • Reason
individuals to be born equal, equipped with reason, and have • Equality
their own rights. Therefore, this ideology believes that individuals • Toleration
must be allowed the greatest latitude of freedom. Liberalism can • Consent
be characterized by the following elements: • Constitutionalism

1. Classical Liberalism – It does not encourage the interference of the state on individual life
as humans can take care of themselves.
2. Modern Liberalism – It believes that if individuals are not subject to regulation, there might
be injustices. Therefore, the state must intervene to protect individuals from social evils.

B. CONSERVATISM Elements of Conservatism

It is an ideology that has the desire to preserve institutions and • Tradition
is reflected in a resistance or suspicion to change. For • Pragmatism
conservatives, tradition reflects the accumulated wisdom of • Human Imperfection
the past, as manifested in the practices that have endured • Organicism
the test of time. • Hierarchy and Authority
• Property

C. SOCIALISM
It is an ideology that stands in opposition to capitalism and
Elements of Socialism
proposes an alternative which is perceived to be more human
• Community
and equitable. In capitalism, an individual rises according to
• Fraternity
ability. There is competition. Unfortunately, this produces divisions
• Social Equality
in society; some become rich, while most struggle to survive and • Need
remain poor. The goal of socialism is to abolish these class • Social Class
divisions and promote equality by advocating cooperation. • Common Ownership

D. ANARCHISM
It is an ideology based on the belief that government and laws are not necessary, and
personal autonomy is a must. For anarchist, the government is evil because it exercises
coercive authority, which violates the freedom and equality of individuals. Hence, they prefer
a stateless society in which free individuals take charge of their own affairs through voluntary
agreement and cooperation.

E. COMMUNISM
It is an ideology based on common ownership, which aims to establish a society that is classless
and egalitarian. Communists believes that private ownership of wealth and means of
production promotes inequality and other social evils. Hence, they advocate common
ownership and giving of the means of production to the government.

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 Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Philippine Politics and Governance
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: HUMSS 12
Module 2 – Pol Sci Subject Teacher: Erwin John E. Resurreccion

1. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ Communism – The first version of communism that
advocates the abolition of private-owned property. It sees a future society where before
achieving full communism, there would be a transitory “socialist” stage of development
characterized by the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat (working class); Marx and
Engels prophesized that this would occur after capitalism is overthrown.
2. Orthodox Communism – A second version of communism is based on what was established
when the communist parties rose to power in the 20th century. It is a hybrid of state socialism
and market capitalism which resulted to gigantic strides in economies (e.g. China, Russia,
and Vietnam).

F. FASCISM Doctrines of Fascism

It is a political ideology fueled by extreme nationalism. It • Racial and/or cultural purity
promises the birth of a new, stronger, and greater society, (ethnocentrism)
stripped from all of its weaknesses. • Total control of society and
1. Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany – He established a one-party people by the state
dictatorship in Germany. Hitler attempted to promote • Presence of one ruling party
• Militarization of the society
German nationalism and demonize the Jews with his
• Support on violence to
anti-Semitic propaganda. His policies directly ignited the
achieve political means
Second World War and caused the Holocaust.
2. Benito Mussolini, Italy – He was an Italian politician, journalist, and leader of the National
Fascist Part in Italy who coined the term “fascism.” Mussolini portrayed the primacy of the
Italian nation.

G. FEMINISM
It is an ideology based on a common desire to enhance the social role of women in whatever
way possible. It seeks to overturn the structure of male power in the society and promote equal
rights and legal protections for women.
1. First Wave (1848 to 1920)– The first sustained political movement dedicated to achieving
political equality for women: the suffragettes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Second Wave (1963 to the 1980s) – It focused on changing the way society thought
about women. The second wave cared deeply about the casual, systemic sexism
ingrained into society — the belief that women’s highest purposes were domestic and
decorative, and the social standards that reinforced that belief — and in naming that
sexism and ripping it apart.
3. Third Wave (1991[?] to ???) – It is tended to involve fighting against workplace sexual
harassment and working to increase the number of women in positions of power.

REFERENCES:
• Campanilla, M. & Dannug, R. (2003). Politics, Governance and Government with Philippine
Constitution: C & E Publishing, Inc.
• Heywood, A. (2002). Politics Second Edition: Palgrave Macmillan
• Mendoza, D. et al (2014). Politics and Governance Theory and Practice in the Philippine
Context. Office of Research and Publications: Ateneo de Manila University.
• Ramos, R. (2016). Philippine Politics and Governance: Vibal Group, Inc.

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