Chapter 4
Examining Political Ideologies
In This Chapter
Getting to grips with ideologies
Homing in on liberalism
Scrutinising socialism
Keeping the status quo: conservatism
Looking at alternative ideologies
Avoiding extremes in the UK
At its root politics is all about ideas and the British political system, with its parties, politicians and pressure groups, is no different. Behind the sound bites and the arguments that are the cut and thrust of British political debate lie some very big ideas indeed about how individuals should live their lives and how society is organised.
In this chapter I give you the lowdown on the big political ideologies that have shaped and continue to influence modern British politics and those of other countries around the globe.
Understanding What an Ideology Is
Put simply, an ideology is a single idea or collection of ideas relating to how to organise ...