Constructing an Ideology

1. Constructing an Ideology Understandings of Ideology. Creating beliefs and values. Characteristics and Themes of Ideology.

2. IDEOLOGY AND VALUES • What is an ideology? • An ideology is a set of values, beliefs, and attitudes. • How did you come to be the way you are? • Take a minute to describe yourself… • A combination of many things has helped to shape our beliefs. One thing that sticks out is the value of experience…

3. VALUES • Values are subjective and personal • What does subjective mean? • What does objective mean? Political affiliation, religious views, parenting, societal priorities…every opinion you have ever created came down to what you value. At the core of almost all of every issue in society is the role that the individual should play.

4. Understanding Ideologies • Collectivism • Realize potential as part of a group • Gain identity by being interrelated • Individualism • Don’t need group to attain individual worth • Identity is established by personal qualities What environments are you in that show these two sides?

5. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Recall the beliefs of socialism and capitalism through the consideration of the following questions: • What are people like - what is their basic nature? • How should society be organized – how should people interact with others? • How has the world worked in the past and what was life like in the past and how does that affect life today? • How should the world work in the future – what kind of world do we want to live in? • What is the political and economic spectrum – and is it a valuable concept?

6. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Beliefs about Human nature: • Beliefs about human nature –for example about whether people are essentially good or bad – are fundamental to any ideology. • It is a universal fact – beliefs about human nature • Every individual – culture – has had beliefs and values about the basic nature of human begins since the beginnings of time.

7. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Voices (pages 2-6 & 2-7) Read and consider the questions for discussion

8. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Beliefs about the structure of society. • Both formal and informal structures of society act as characteristics of ideologies. • Formal: Example – laws, economics, politics • Informal: Example – societal norms, gender roles, expectations of behavior. • How do you think that government and law define a the way that society is organized?

9. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Interpretations of History: • It seems to be a common belief that all of the world history is one of progress – that all human history is progressive. • Changes in infrastructure, laws, politics, roles • Advances in lifestyle

10. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Interpretations of history and our past is another characteristic of ideology. • The events of our past will influence the beliefs and values that we hold. • The views that we have of our past affects our identities and the way that we view the world. • Nationally – ideological interpretations of history affect the identity of a country’s citizens. • Can you think of any examples of this?

11. Characteristics of IdeologyWhat are the characteristics of ideology? • Visions of the future: • Vision of what the world should be like based on ideological perspectives.

12. Constructing an Ideology • What do you think? • What beliefs and values should your identity be based on? • Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life to this point? • Have these influences shaped who you are? • Right now, what would you say make up the foundation of who you are? • Why do you need to know what the ideologies of others are? • How can ideologies of others help you to live in this world?

13. Themes of IdeologyWhat are the themes of ideology? • The principles that express the main concern of an ideology • Are in the foundations on which people base their beliefs. • Those things that an ideology cares deeply about or that an ideology may reject. • You can discover your ideologies by identifying these themes and your reaction to them

14. Themes of IdeologyWhat are the themes of ideology? • Nation • Why do ideologies concern themselves with the theme of nation? • How does it contribute to the ideology? • Why do nations want to have a sense of identity? • What can happen if a nation has an extreme ideology? • Example???

15. Themes of IdeologyWhat are the themes of ideology? • Religion • Religious beliefs and values are among the most powerful ones motivating human behavior. • They are important because they answer questions about human nature, the way that the world is and the way the world should be. Voices (text pages 2-20 & 2-21) Discussion

16. Themes of IdeologyWhat are the themes of ideology? • Class • A common theme • The way that society is structured – socially • Usually based on occupation, income and wealth (in North America and in most parts of Europe) • In other parts of the world (cultures) what is the impact of class? • Is it different than here in Canada? • What are the limitations in ideology that class offers?

17. Themes of IdeologyWhat are the themes of ideology? • Land and Environment:

18. What you should Know: • What are the understandings of Ideology? • What are the foundations for creating beliefs and values? • What are the characteristics and themes of Ideology?