Ideologies Magazine (1)

Jolie Young

Collectivism Collectivism is an ideology that practices giving a group priority over each individual in it. The ownership of land and the means of production is controlled by the people or the state. These societies are way less self-centered than individualistic societies, and have social values that revolve around what is best for a community and society. Collectivism is on the left side of the political spectrum, along with socialism. Countries such as Portugal, Mexico, and Turkey are examples of collectivist societies.

Communism/Marxism Communism is a political and economic ideology on the very left side of the spectrum that focuses on leading to a society where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs. Like collectivism, communism has a goal to work towards achieving the common good of the entire group. This political ideology derived from Karl Marx, and was named Marxism, by his followers, he had written a book called The Communist Manifesto, with the motto being “Workers of the world, unite!”, this had started the evolution of Communism in society. Joseph Stalin is an example of a political leader in the past that believed in the ideology of Communism/Marxism. Stalin was the ruler of the soviet union from 1927, to his death in 1953, although he wanted to create a new collective leadership, instead, he built up a leadership centered around himself. Today, the existing communist states in the world are China, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam

Socialism Socialism is another economic ideology that sits on the left side of the spectrum, where the state owns the means of production, instead of the government. There are two types of socialism, utopian and democratic. Utopian socialism is considered to be one of the earliest forms of socialism, and is based on a belief that social ownership of the means of production can be achieved through voluntary surrender of their holdings by propertied groups. Charles Fourier was a philosopher who believed in utopian socialism. Democratic Socialism is a form of government that is based on the value of helping people in need, and where the means of production are socially and collectively owned or controlled. Some countries that have adopted ideas of democratic socialism are Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Liberalism Liberalism is a left leaning ideology that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, equality and democracy, Modern liberalism combines these ideas with support for social justice and a mixed economy. A mixed economy is an economy that has blended elements of a free market economy, and a planned economy. Mixed economies give citizens the freedom of choice, ensures income in distributed equitably, and encourages private initiative. John Locke is the philosopher who discovered this ideology, and is known as the father of modern liberalism. Justin Trudeau is an example of a leader in Canada who promotes modern liberalism, he is the 23rd prime minister, and leader of the Liberal Party. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Individualism As we start moving towards the right side of the political spectrum, we see Individualism, which favours freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control. Individualism is the opposite of Collectivism, instead of giving a whole group priority, individualism focuses on independence and self reliance.

Conservatism Conservatism is on the right side of the spectrum, and focuses on traditional values with the opposition to change. Most conservatives believe that the government should play a smaller role in managing the economy. Conservatism grew when citizens and politicians opposed to the ideas of modern liberalism, and wanted to keep things the same. Capitalism/Classical Liberalism adhere to the beliefs of conservatism, as they focus on a political system in which a country's trade and industry is controlled by private owners rather than by the government. Edmund Burke was a philosopher from the late 1700s who believed in conservative values.

Fascism Fascism is on the very far right side of the political spectrum, and is a form of authoritarian ultranationalism, it is characterized by dictatorial power, suppression of opposition, and regimentation of society. Fascism evolved in Italy during World War I, and eventually led to many totalitarian forms of government, for example, Adolf Hitler was a fascist leader in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Luckily in today's modern society, there are no fascist leaders.