Political Definitions

Being as this forum is now based around �Political Ideology� I thought it best to explain in simple form what some of the �ideologies� are.
I�ll gladly welcome more ideologies for the list or even re-written versions of those already listed.

Liberalism Moderate to Left Wing (can vary)
- A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.

Conservatism Moderate to Right Wing (can vary)
- The inclination, especially in politics, to maintain the existing or traditional order.
- A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.

Fascism � Extreme Right Wing
- A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Communism � Extreme Left Wing
- A theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labour for the common advantage of all members.
- A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.
- The Marxist-Leninist version of Communist doctrine that advocates the overthrow of capitalism by the revolution of the proletariat.

Socialism - Left Wing
- Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.

Anarchism
- The theory or doctrine that all forms of government are oppressive and undesirable and should be abolished.



[edit on 10-11-2004 by UK Wizard]

hm, knew that already, but usefull for orientation

Originally posted by dacruz
hm, knew that already, but usefull for orientation

i know most people know about it but it helps political newbies to see the information in one place

thanks for the thumbs up


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remember anyone with anything to add to the list just post it and i'll add it to the top

[edit on 10-11-2004 by UK Wizard]