Premium Essay

Ideologies

In:

Submitted By kamka1202
Words 769
Pages 4
Assignment #1:
“Don’t Like Taxes? Consider the Alternative.” Peter L. Bernstein. New York Times. 2/10/08. 1) According to this author what is one of the primary functions of government? (4 points)
Governments function is to produce and manage public goods. 2) According to this article what are public goods?( 4 points)
Public goods would be all of the things that all people, or at least a larger majority, want but don’t want to pay for as individuals 3) What are the negatives to government providing public goods according to this article? (4 points) “Governments’ spending on public goods involves waste, corruption, and is often badly executed. In the private economy, the pressures of competition tend to minimize these kinds of costs, although government surely has no monopoly on waste (think Enron) or bad execution (automobile recalls). “ 4) Would you characterize this author as more of a liberal or more of a conservative and why? It is really important to explain your reasoning for identifying the author as liberal or conservative, as it is a bit tricky with this article, but it is possible to misdiagnosis the author’s ideology and still earn points by using certain supporting arguments. (4 points)
I would consider the author as liberal character, simply because today’s liberals continue to believe that government should or even has responsibility to stay active, and in this particular case its according taxpayers and obligations coming from tax money. I think that he is acting on the border I would say because from my point of view he is keeping that government should regulate and keep a hand on these things but on the other hand he is trying to persuade people that taxes are not really that big of the deal because from these regulations that our government is making we are able to take so much like Medicare, Social Security, etc. “The

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Ideologies

...‘Ideologies have become irrelevant to the discussion of politics since the collapse of the communism in East Europe.’(Fukuyama francis,1989) I disagree with this statement in a large extent. Overview Fukuyama published the idea of ‘end of ideology’, which became a controversial issue in 1989. No doubt, fascism and communism had both lost their appeal after the collapse of the communism in east Europe. In the postwar period, the three ideologies-liberalism, socialism and conservation –came to accept the common goal of capitalism. ( Lee, 1990) However, it does not mean that capitalism is a triumph of the world. Jacques mentions that there are many types of Marxism. For instance, orthodox Marxism is produced by the unique history tradition. Therefore, when one specific communism is collapsed, it does not mean that the communism is collapsed. In fact, there still are states that pursue other types of communism. People reflect and become interested in Marxist if capitalism cannot bring them into utopian era. There is no way to say that ideologies are becoming irrelevant to the discussion of politics. Also, All human are political thinkers. We all have difficult thoughts and diverse perceptions when the things happen around us. Modern ideologies such as feminism and ecologism are witnessed. From the observations and judgments, we can find out our own belief of what our world is and what we ought to be. ‘equality , ’rights’ ,’freedom’ ,’justice’ are the expression...

Words: 2288 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Ideology

...Ideology Note: these are ‘generalizations’ and are not ‘all inclusive’… An ideology is a collection of ideas, typically containing ideas on what it considers to be the best form of government (democracy, theocracy, etc), & the best economic system (capitalism, socialism, etc). Sometimes the same word is used to identify both an ideology & one of its main ideas, e.g., "socialism" may refer to an economic system, or to an ideology which supports that economic system. - Political ideologies generally have two dimensions: Goals: (how society should work or be arranged) and Methods: (the most appropriate ways to achieve the ideal arrangement). - Ideology is basically constant, & we generally use a straight line ‘left is liberal & right is conservative’ approach to identify their position on the political spectrum, then we superimpose political parties on top of this political spectrum…to change political party affiliation is relatively easy, it requires much more to change your ideology. Ideology is more like ‘political culture’: who you ‘really are’, enduring values & beliefs that do not routinely change easily, although special circumstances such as wars, economic depressions or natural disasters can help hasten changes. Liberals & Conservatives: these labels have changed over time and ‘ideology’ is not necessarily a good way to define political preference. Currently, members of the Democratic Party are generally considered Liberals (or favoring liberal ideology) and...

Words: 607 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Ideologies and Ideologies in Media

...Many refer to ideology as the study of ideas, it is defined as a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy or a particular way of thinking and seeing the world that makes the existing organization of social relation appear natural and inevitable (Grossberg, 193). In more simple words, it is commonly referred to as “false consciousness,” originally from politics, ideology refers to the way people think about the world and their ideal concept of how to live in the world. A very board term that has different branches and can relate to many different parts of media; it is a system of values, attitudes and beliefs that are important to an individual, group or society. All forms of media can have a great ideological influence on their audience and most media portrays a dominant message that can define the values and beliefs of an individual or society whether in a positive or a negative way. Dominant ideologies are ideologies that are used very commonly by the media that are sometimes mistaken for reality. They are always reflected in the media, and reflect dominate social relations and support dominant social groups. If those in charge of our society – politicians, corporate executives, and owners of press and television – can dominate our ideas, they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves. (Zinn, 1991) Zinn’s understanding of ideology and how it dominates...

Words: 1810 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Core Ideology

...Core ideology, core purpose, envisioned future – these are the essentials that constantly reminds us of who we are and where we’re going. Having read the article “Building Your Company’s Vision” by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras makes me want to think of doing things that contribute to the general welfare rather than doing things because I just have to. It gives me purpose and something that keeps me going. It gives me reasons to love what I do and to pursue excellence in order that I may fulfill my purpose and satisfy my personal needs that goes beyond the salary, needs that seek deeper than what it looks on the outside. It defines mine and the organization’s being linked together. The companies that have been mentioned have long been recognized successful and famous in their own industry and this article explains why they are where they are now. Such motivational stories would be of great help to those organizations who seek improvement and development in their structure as a whole. Keeping up with this dynamic world isn’t easy and every organization needs something to hold on so they won’t lose their balance and just fall off from the cliff where they stand. One wrong move and everything will be messed up. This gives them the core that is unchanging, the core that is permanent and lives within the organization, the people, and everything is geared because of that certain thing. This article stresses the importance of having core ideology and core purpose...

Words: 780 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Walking Dead Ideology

...its particular ideological perspective The television has been around us for centuries and it has become a major source of information to society. Spreading information amongst the people means spreading a particular kind of ideas. These ideas or beliefs provide people with a way of understanding the world and they are referred to as ‘ideology’. It is believed that the media is used to set certain ideology in society. Consequently, television, as a part of the media, has its own role in putting through these ideas. In this essay I am going to explain what ideology is and how it affects society through television. I am also going to give an example of creating particular ideological perspective using the American horror drama television series The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010) developed by Frank Darabont. Ideology, as I already mentioned, is a particular set of ideas. However, we call ‘ideological’ only the ideas that relate to the distribution of social power. (Branston, G. and Stafford, R., 2010, p. 172) There are different ideologies, such as religious, political, etc. and each of them imposes its own way of seeing the world. Yet, ‘ideology’ was first defined by classical Marxism. Karl Marx claimed that our society is capitalist, i.e. it is divided into two major groups: the dominant class (the richer/ bourgeoisie) and the working class (the poorer/proletariat). The higher class are the people with power, the people who own enterprises, the employers. On the contrary, the lower...

Words: 2435 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Fcom111 Ideologies Essay 2014

...other electronic material. You are expected to adhere to the VUW Statute on Student Conduct and its references to plagiarism. The Statute may be assessed at http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/about /policy/students.aspx. I have read and understood the University’s policy on plagiarism outlined as above and declare that this Government Essay is my own work and that all source material used in this essay is accurately acknowledged. Signed: ___________________________ Date: ____________________ Political ideologies are vague and not as regimented and defined throughout New Zealand politics. An ideology represents political philosophies, views, core principles or beliefs, and at the operative level it is a coherent set of ideas that provide a basis for organised political action (Heywood, 2002). The individual party uses these ideologies to determine the stance that a party takes on various political actions and policies that arise. There is no single clear ideology for each of the parties and they all have slightly different thought processes and...

Words: 1747 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

The Relationship Between Personality Traits and Political Ideologies

...(Name) (Instructor’s name) (Course) (Date) Correlation not Causation: The Relationship between Personality Traits and Political Ideologies This article seeks to establish that a correlation exists between personality traits of humans and the political ideologies that they hold. This is a political science issue that analyzes the extent to which the two aspects are correlated, and more specifically, the effect of personality traits on political ideologies. Causation is hinged on the assumption that the personality of an individual motivates them towards developing certain political ideologies and attitudes later in life. The basis of this is the perceived observation that personality traits are developed at infancy, while political preferences usually develop much later in life. However, recent studies in political science, and works in disciplines such as psychology and behavioral genetics have shown that political preferences also develop during childhood (Verhulst, Lindon and Hatemi 34). These recent findings aim to justify that the relationship stems from correlation, rather than causation. This means that political ideologies are also influenced by genetic factors, in a similar manner to personality traits. Verhulst, Lindon and Hatemi (34) present the case for a correlation relationship, which then effectively casts doubt over the existence of a causal relationship between personality traits and political preferences. Through applying a structural...

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Assess the Sociological Explanations of Science and Ideology as Belief Systems

...Science comes from the Latin word meaning ‘knowledge’. Science is a way of looking at the natural world in a systematic and objective way therefore is able to universal laws. An ideology is a system of ideas and ideals and often acts as a foundation for economic or political theories and policies. A belief system is a framework of ideas that people use to explain the world around them. Science is often seen as truer than other belief systems as it can be tested empirically meaning information comes from experience or from experiments. However not all sociologist agree with the assumption that science is more valid, for example, post-modernists would argue that science is just the dominant meta-narrative of this time, however this could easily change in the future. Another reason science can be seen as a belief system is due to the idea that science works in paradigms, this idea was developed by Thomas Kuhn, paradigms are a framework containing basic assumptions and ways of thinking that develops a new way of looking at the world. Kuhn argues that the paradigms come before theories are developed therefore science can be moulded to fit the paradigms which makes its slightly subjective to the beliefs of the people developing the ideas and so can be seen as a belief system. As science is open to being proved wrong and to other ideas some sociologist would say that science is an open belief system. However other sociologists would argue against this as science has always dismissed...

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Assess the Sociological Explanations of Science and Ideology as Belief Systems (33 Marks)

...A belief system is a set of mutually supportive beliefs. Many sociologists see science as a product of the process of rationalisation that began with the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and its success has spread to a widespread ‘faith in science’. Whereas ideology is a belief system by definition - a worldview or a set of ideas and values. Science has had a huge impact on society in the last few centuries with medicines curing fatal diseases and advances in communication and technology. Science and technology has revolutionised economic productivity and raised standards of living. This success has led to a widespread belief in science; believing science can ‘deliver the goods’. However, this faith has been dimmed by science causing problems. For example pollution, weapons and global warming are products of science. While science protects us from natural dangers, it creates its own manufactured risks. However the good and bad effects of science show features distinguishing it from other belief systems – known as its cognitive power. It enables us to explain, predict and control the world in a way that non-scientific or pre-scientific belief systems cannot do. According to Popper, science has been so successful in explaining and controlling the world because it is an ‘open’ belief system. This means that every scientist’s theories are open to scrutiny, criticism and testing by others. As a result, science is governed by the principle of falsification - scientists...

Words: 2153 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Sociology of Sport

...PHSE 206: Sociology of sport Essay 2B: Media representation of sport and its connection on societal power. Sean Masters 9066415 DUE: Friday 3rd October, 2014. WORD COUNT: 1508 Society comes in many different forms. Individuals of society attempt to be seen as being more successful, powerful and dominant over others. This is closely followed with how sport is perceived, played and based around. A competitive nature to out think your opponent to attain glory as an individual, as a team or as a country. The popularity of the sporting culture and the impact it has on our lives, gives responsibility for the new sporting era with experiencing and filtering sport through media. Giving another whole diverse range of how we perceive not only sport but athletes and teams competing. Modern era sporting and recreational activities are important in the New Zealand sporting society. As young adolescents grow up building the basic fundamentals associated with sport and continue to do this as they get older. In the active New Zealand survey, key findings released that in 2007/2008 79% of New Zealanders once per week were physically active (NZ, 2008). New Zealand have always had a high abundance in individuals participating in sport, that can contribute to the significant creation of the media- sports complex in New Zealand (Falcous, 2005). For example, back in the 1970’S technology in media sport was just beginning but already a crucial component in broadcasting...

Words: 1717 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Stone Mattress

...INTRODUCTION - Any text can be read and interpreted differently depending of its different readers, since everyone has a different way of seeing and understanding things depending on our ideologies, context etc. * Overview of the short story. * Explanation of the main audience; feminists given the strong feminist ideology. * Description of the two readers; feminists (II) and non-feminists (III). II – FEMINISTS * Description of feminism * Explanation of the feminist’s interpretation of the short story. * How certain actions in the story can be interpreted specifically. * Effect of the story on feminist readers. III – NON-FEMINISTS * Description of non-feminists and what do they support. * Explanation of the non-feminist’s interpretation of the short story. * Meaning of the short story for this reader. IV – CONCLUSION – Any text can be interpreted differently and there are no rules when you read. Not everyone thinks alike and there are different opinions. We can’t judge a story or even a person given our own ideology, we could only give our opinion and respects others’ Any text can be read and interpreted differently depending of its different readers, since everyone has a different way of seeing and understanding things depending on our ideologies, context etc. A great example where we can presence this difference of interpretation is in Stone Mattress short story written by Margaret Atwood. It...

Words: 1146 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Sociology

...Assess sociological explanations for science and ideology as a belief system (33) Hannah-Mae Neve 13D Science has had an enormous impact on society over the last few centuries. The achievements in medicines have eradicated many fatal diseases; through which people have developed a large faith in science and so has become a strong belief system. However, it has been recognised that although science resolves many issues, it also creates problems. This contentious nature brought about a dimmed faith as science has created its own risks that increasingly threaten the planet such as global warming and nuclear weapons. Ideology is a worldview or a set of ideas and values. The main issues surround ideology as a belief system is that every set of beliefs is very one-sided. Each person only believes in their ideologies and is likely to be unwelcoming to any others. Consequently, friction and tension is built within society. According to Sir Karl Popper, science is an ‘open’ belief system. An open belief system is where every scientist’s theories are open to scrutiny, criticism and testing by others. For example everyone has access to scientific information and none is kept away from the public or other scientists. Popper believes that science is governed by the principle of falsificationism whereby scientists seek to falsify existing theories by deliberate experiments that might produce information which would contradict the current theories. In Popper’s views, the growth of our understanding...

Words: 1539 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Evaluate the Marxist Theory of Religion and Its Relevance to Todays Society.

...that religion is created and promoted by the Ruling Class in order to pass on their dominant ideology to the working class, using it as an “instrument”. Althusser argues that the ruling class do this through physical control such as the police and the justice system (Repressive State Apparatus), they also control the working class through the Ideological state Apparatus, which via religion, prevents the working class from becoming deviant and rebelling. A clear demonstration of this is in Christian teaching. They’re taught that Jesus himself had a day job as a carpenter – which is a manual labour, working class job. This idea of Jesus being like us civilians appeals to the working class as their attitude would be that if someone of such major influence can have that job, I can too because I will be repaid in the afterlife. Another supporting piece of evidence to the Marxist theory of religion is in the Jewish Torah (Old Testament – 34:12) God says “Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest, in eanring time and in harvesting, thou shalt rest”. This also influences the working class not to question why we have to work for 6 days, because when we make our earnings we can rest on the seventh day, whilst the ruling class impose this religious idea to the working class. Karl Marx would call this False Class Consciousness. Marx explains that passing the dominant ideology from the ruling class to the working class isn’t all of the job, they have to then maintain...

Words: 1058 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Introduction to Media Studies Assessment 3

...Discuss the concepts of 'ideology' and 'discourse' in relation to the ways in which representation functions in media texts. You might like to do this in the context of representations of gender, sexuality, 'race', ethnicity, war, refugees or celebrity, for example. Your essay should include your own analysis of a media text that has not been discussed in detail in the lectures, required or additional readings, or in your other assessments. Representation is both the process and the product of media texts, in terms of sexuality in media these representations are shaped by ideologies; the way people think and interpret the word. In turn, different ideologies promote discourse and the discussion of ideas in relation to sexuality. In relation to specific media texts such as True Blood, there are several ideologies in the program, social, political and cultural which show a non-heteronormative view on sexuality. Ideologies are ways of thinking and how we interpret the world around us. It’s through ideology that representation in media text functions to reinforce the view of that particular school of thought. Representation can be through stereotype, strengthening sometimes negative views or typecasting those who are represented. Looking especially True Blood, vampires are being “re-presented” as the gay community which have to struggle and fight for equal rights(Dhaenens, 2013). The concept of Ideology, a way of thinking which impacts how you view and world and interact with people...

Words: 1091 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Rukun Negara

...living because it is a set of “national tenets” that teaches us the right norms of behaviour. There are two types of dimensions of relationship involved wherever there is human interaction. These two relationships are relationship among fellow human beings and relationship with god. Both of these two dimensions of relationships are recognised by all religions and all profess doing the right things in life. The principles of Rukun Negara ideologise the level the level of authority that control and guide us from the level of god down to the state level, institutions level and finally the self level. The entire background of the ideology and the purpose for creating it must be clearly understood by an individual to internalise the spirits of Rukun Negara. Ideology means a scheme of ideas at the basic of a system. When we say that Rukun Negara is a national ideology it refers to the principles of “living policies” to be used as the peoples guide and actions. In other words Rukun Negara contains values in nationhood as well as social norms covering all aspects of life. It also is an arrangement of ways (principles) for group living. BACKGROUND The Rukun Negara was officially proclaimed by Yang diPertuan Agong on 31 august 1971....

Words: 1609 - Pages: 7