Political Ideologies and Political Theory Pols 341 Douglas
Brown 2013
Slide 2
Political Ideologies and Governing Parties What is ideology?
How is it different from political theory Broad ideological
categories Political Labels in Canada Comparing labels, ideologies
and theories
Slide 3
The role of ideology and theory Ideology: sets of ideas about
politics that focus on the goals of a political community (or
segment of a community) and its underlying values and interests
Theory: sets of ideas and concepts about the study of politics that
provide overall explanations: e.g. empirical generalizations,
models, critical alternatives
Slide 4
Johnsons Competing ideologies Textbook, chapter 2 Three main
ideological strands: Conservatism Socialism Liberalism The triumph
of the Liberal centre
Slide 5
Schools of Theory (General Political Science) Pluralism
Neo-pluralism New Right Elite Theory (or Managerialism)
Neo-institutionalism Marxist / Class analysis Neo-marxist
Slide 6
Slide 7
Pluralist Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the plural
demands, values and interests of society, in which the State
responds to, and takes shape from, competing and changing social
demands. Pluralist theory in political science puts major emphasis
on the role of the individual; the state tends to be implied only.
Rational choice is an important hybrid of this theory.
Slide 8
Elite Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the structure and
interests of the State, including its office- holders, and while
the State responds to society demands, it has interests and values
of its own. Elite theory puts the major emphasis on organization,
leadership, decision-making. A hydrid of elite theory is
neo-institutionalism, which sees institutions as vital but embedded
in society.
Slide 9
Class Analysis Theory Politics assumed to be driven by the
competition among class (i.e. primarily economically determined)
interests and the State is seen as captured by the dominant class
in society. Class theory in political science puts major emphasis
on the role of capitalism, class hegemony and conflict. Neo-marxism
is a class analysis hybrid that grants relative autonomy to the
State.
Slide 10
Some queries about ideology What are tories and do they still
exist? So what is meant by neo-conservative and neoliberal? Who are
the real radicals and who is the establishment? Does left-right
still have any meaning? What is identity politics/ green
politicsand how does it fit in the categories?
Slide 11
Some queries about party labels Are New Democrats just Liberals
in a hurry? What was the difference between Reform and the
Progressive Conservatives? Is the new Conservative party a
successful coalition? What are the ideological divisions in the
Liberal party? Do party labels mean the same thing at the federal
and provincial level ?
Slide 12
Conclusions Ideology matters, but party labels dont always
capture the ideology Ideology is always in tension with pragmatism
and caution, especially for a governing party or one that really
wants to govern Theory about politics/public admin is influenced by
ideologies, but the two can take separate tracks Public admin
analysis includes being clear about underlying ideals, beliefs, and
assumptions about those who exercise power.
Slide 13
Discussion Exercise In the January 2009 Budget the Harper
government announced a number of measures related to restoring the
economy (see next slide). In light of all of the political and
economic factors at the time, discuss: 1. which theory of state
action best explains the outcomes 2. whether the Budget 2009 was an
illustration of pragmatic politics or of ideology?