Democracy Totalitarianism Political and Social Ideologies A political

Democracy & Totalitarianism

Political and Social Ideologies • A political ideology is an organized collection of ideas and values that describes a political system, movement, or way of thinking. When shared by many people, a political ideology can motivate individuals, parties, NGO’s and governments. • Although you may agree with some aspects of certain ideologies you may not necessarily agree with every policy outlined (ie. you may consider yourself to be a liberal thinker and yet you may not agree with other liberals on every issue or ideological value). • The imaginary line or circle that represents one’s political views is called the political spectrum. • The concept of the right-left political spectrum dates back to the French Revolution (1789). Elected conservative politicians sat to the right of the speaker’s chair while liberal representatives sat to the left.

Democracy • Democracy comes from the Greek root words of DEMOS & KRATOS. • Demos means the people. • Kratos means the power or the strength. • So Democracy literally means the power of the people.

8 Key Elements of Democracy 1. The Rule of Law – All people are equal under the law – The law is applied equally to everyone 2. Political Equality – Equal opportunity among all citizens 3. The “Common Good” – Focus on more than just yourself 4. Human Dignity – Care and concern for all members of society

5. Personal Freedoms 6. Political Freedom – Vote without fear or intimidation – Speak out, even against the government – Run for office 7. Mutual Respect for Differences 8. Being Informed/Getting Involved – Democracy works best when citizens are knowledgeable and active – The enemies of democracy: ignorance and apathy

Totalitarianism • A modern style of government in which the state involves itself in all facets of society, including the daily life of its citizens. A totalitarian government seeks to control not only all economic and political matters but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population. The goal of the state is to create a perfect society.

The elements of a totalitarian government: • An official ideology to which general adherence was demanded, the ideology intended to achieve a ‘perfect final stage of mankind‘ • A single mass party, hierarchically organised, closely interwoven with the state bureaucracy and typically led by one man • Monopolistic control of the armed forces • A similar monopoly of the means of effective mass communication • A system of terroristic police control • Central control and direction of the entire economy