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Analyze political ideologies Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism
Conservatism is one of the political ideologies that most of the states have undertaken as a way of governing their states. According to Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.23) conservatism is a political ideology that ensures that the indigenous institutions are maintained and supported. Conservatism aims to ensure that there is minimal or any form of change in the societies. With these traditional systems in place, the societies maintain its operations with no alterations to the system. Analysts believe that this form of system is favorable for maintenance of constancy and stability in the state. This system is also a cheaper way of doing things in the state as there is no need to incorporate (Eric, David, and Osvaldo pp.29).
Conservatism advocates for maintenance of existing routines in the society as opposed of inclusion of rapid measures to change the existing routine. Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.44) argue that philosophers of conservatism aim at ensuring that all economic, as well as political systems are not altered for the creation of an ideal society. Most of the advocates of conservatism argue that with religion and education of indigenous forms of authority is the basis on which conservatism is based. Rational ideas on dealings in the society have a long time been associated with the erosion of conservatism ideologies in the society. Philosophers and analysts of conservatism argue that if the status quo is maintained in society the state is bound to progress. Developments will be evident with the existence of free markets, advocating of human rights and liberties, democracy, and minimal connection to traditional aristocratic and support for specific religion.
The main assumptions of conservatism are that man should be irrational and have no desire of change in the community. Analysts continue to argue, that social strata in the community are completely unachievable and individuals must have total dependence on mores and traditions in the community. Human beings must have total belief in the forces that guide human affairs and must be keen to steer social change in the society.
Conservatism has been applied in many societies to accentuate individual responsibility and inseparability in trade and industry or political sovereignty. Low taxes have been imposed on individuals; justice has been termed as the best form of freedom.
Liberalism
Liberalism is a political ideology that advocates for the provision of human rights and freedoms with no forms of constraints. Liberalism has a strong base on the strong maintenance for comprehensive elucidation of human rights in terms of the right to express one’s view freely, a chance to be of any religious affiliation, ability to take part in the political process and reforms in the state as well as have a right to champion for existence of a capitalist and liberated economy.
Liberalism advocates for societies based on social base and total belief in the human beings’ ability to judge things and ideologies based on human ability to use reason to criticize activities and ideologies. Liberty aims to secure human rights over responsibilities based upon their lives. The rights of the marginalized and minority groups in the society are adhered.
The human race is considered extremely kind and considerate; therefore, human beings are able to live with each other in the society with no conflicts of interest and choice. The human race has been credited with indispensable integrity that is mandatory for thriving of peaceful community. Too much power concerted in one area may raise suspicions in the society. Human beings, therefore, have a right to evolve and fight for what they term as rights and liberties of human beings. Too much regional power must be challenged through the rise of revolution to break the bonds of dictatorship.
Liberalism has been applied in society to advocate for change in the societies. The government must be coerced to provide equal opportunities and prospects for change in the society. There must equal redistribution of wealth in the society and not only reliance on the government dealings but also political and social liberties of individuals.
A liberalist society is one that has pro-planned labor rights that advocate for emphasis of the rights and liberties in the society. The government must have limits on their dealings with its citizens careful not to coerce the citizens into forceful endeavors. Use of force may infringe on the rights and freedom of citizens. Extremist powers in liberalistic states are not given a chance to thrive or concentration of powers on one part of the government.
Socialism
Socialism is a political ideology that advocates for an economic system that allows for all resources in the society as part of the government. All resources must be pulled together for the benefit ever individual in the state. Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.58) argue that all the business prospects must be managed and properly monitored by the government. The private enterprise must not have a chance of running the state’s property. If the private sector runs the businesses, inequalities and protection of minority groups in the society is likely not to occur. The market processes of governing the market operations have no place is socialist states.
In general, socialism allows for communal ownership and management of various modes of production and equal allocation of goods produced in a state. According to the famous philosopher, Karl Marx, socialism is the intermediate ideology between capitalism and communism. Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.77) argue that socialism is only achievable through the initiative of proletarian in the society. Unlike other models like capitalism that results into unfair redistribution of resources in the society, socialism ensures that all people acquire wealth in a fair and just manner. Socialism aims at designing an egalitarian society where power and the states resources are shared equally. However, debates have come up on the methodologies of ensuring that there is an equitable distribution of wealth and resources in the society.
Socialization, hence, advocates for nationalization of the states’ resources and the means of production in the society. The state should, also, control all the income generating activities for the purposes of nationalizing all resources in the society for the benefit of all regardless of their background.
Best perspective on freedom and equality
Socialism is the best ideology that societies can advocate for their modes of governance. Society’s modes of distribution of wealth are left for social control factors to take over. In terms of economy socialism ensures that there are collective modes of production for all people despite the backgrounds. This mode, therefore, minimizes the chances of having a society that is not equal. All people are provided with an opportunity of having an equal share of the society’s production methods and results. Through councils that represent workers, all people in the society have a chance of maximizing the chances of acquisition of wealth.
In general, socialism is the best method if a society aims at creating collective a unified means of ownership and management of property. In contrast to capitalism, which has been termed as a self-centered mode, socialism ensures less competition but more cooperation and coordination in contributing towards the societies’ welfare.
Why do some feminists view women as oppressed?
According to Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.103) Oppression of women is one of the major forms of oppression in the globe today. Majority of women in the globe today end up behaving as a result of various forms of coercion but not from their own free will. Oppression may be embedded in one’s way of thinking, changes in the society my not be a good basis of judgment on perceptions of oppression. Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.113) continue to argue that the perceptions of men on the place of women in the society has to change. There must be equality between men and women in terms of all aspects of life starting from access to quality education to equal job opportunities to the women.
Social feminists believe that if the roles between men and women are equalized, there is a great likelihood that prostitution that has for a long time been regarded as a profession of women will play no tangible role in society. On the other hand, liberal feminists have a different view on equality between men and women. Based on their arguments, feminists argue that if facts about the undermine of women are brought forward, and then women will be in a better position to fight for their rights on a universal ground. If facts based on research are presented on the place of women and the best place they should have, based on facts, woman may be in a better position to champion for their rights and place in society.
If the standards of women are accepted on a political ground, rather than presumed theories that have no basis, diversity of all people might be achieved. If women claim a higher percentage of political backing, they are in a better position to champion for their rights rather than presentation of ideologies that may not have any tangible backgrounds. Unlike the radical feminists who present ideas on the grounds of perceptions that may have no basics of reality, liberal feminists incorporate all the finer details of women oppression and need to change the perceptions of women as an inferior gender.
Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.111) indicate the rate at which women are being oppressed in the entire world is of the same magnitude. Women undergo various forms of oppression whilst under the hands of men. Some of the forms of oppression may be extreme based on the ability of the men to acquire the oppression mechanisms. Some women in the society undergo rape, oppression of all forms, degradation, and denial of rights amongst others.
It is from the oppression of these women that the majority of them opt to undertake prostitution as a means of survival in the society. Though there have been heated arguments on women, rape and prostitution, Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.115) argues that either way, the two are contributors to the degradation of the rights of women as human beings. Men have been regarded as natural oppressors, the reasons why most women have recorded numerous reports of mistreatment whilst at the hands of men.
Women of a radical feminist point of view argue that in as much prostitution may be done out of the will of the concerned female, prostitution is a way in which men find grounds of judging women a lesser human beings who are willing to do anything for their survival. While men find other methods of acquiring income, women demean themselves by taking part in prostitution as a way of survival. These feminists continue to argue that it is from such basis that men find a lee way of oppressing the women in the society.
Myths indicate that men are the stronger sex and should take up the dominating roles in all aspects of life be it in politics, acquisition of job opportunities, and access to quality education among others. From this argument, men believe that they have a right to respond to their sexual urges that are higher than that of women. Other men will claim that it is their right to have a woman under their control if they have to be labeled as real men. Thus, many women go through a lot of aggressiveness from men that ultimately render them an oppressed that survives under the mercy of men. Other men make it completely difficult for women to advance in any forms of life by controlling women’s sources of income and ability to progress.
In contemporary Canada, women have been viewed as lesser beings that have to depend on decisions made by the males in the society. Men have been seen with the urge of completely dominating women as much as they can in all aspects of life. In this regard, women are constrained from conducting roles in the society that might lead to their realization as dominant and successful beings. Whether the form of degradation is on a moral or social aspect, it all sums up to degradation of women.
In contemporary Canada women are inclined to live traditional lives that confine them to the bringing forth and nurturing children. Men have been given an upper hand in the society through the freedom of choice and decision making. The women are clearly an oppressed lot in Canada. They have no ability to take part in key sectors of the society like making decisions or even active participation in politics for fear of overtaking the men.
How can an environmentally sustainable society be best achieved?
The scope of sustainability can either be national, or global, and is related to where Canadians live, and this is according to Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p. 125). Statistics provided by the Canadian government estimate that the urban population is eighty percent of the total population. This means that at the local level is where environment sustainability take place. This is because the lives of most Canadians are presently at the local level as they engage in activities such as shopping, working and living. The reality of making the Canadian society environmental sustainable is achievable. Every community has a role to play in this extremely vital issue.
The environment, society, and economy, are words used to describe the meaning of a society that is sustainable. Furthermore, the authors Eric, David, and Osvaldo define it as the different environmental, social and economic systems that enable society to have life are that are meaningful both in the future and the present. Also, it seeks to ensure that the society is aware that there built, social and natural systems that have to be depended on. The society should be involved in the process of making decisions. In order to become a society that is environmental sustainable, the local government should increase the participation of the society. There are guidelines that exist concerning sustainability issues in Canada.
Will is an essential consideration when the society is to be involved in matters related to sustainability as it needs a consensus. This is because change is affected by barriers that are psychological, bureaucratic and political in nature. The government should offer support that is top-down, and it must be included in the processes that society is involved. Several Canadian jurisdictions that are complex in nature make sure that decision making focuses on the environment. It gives priority to economic and social matters whereby, Canadians will benefit from international considerations and knowledge that is scientifically complex. The process of coming up with a society that is sustainable takes a long time and the government is aware of this fact. In turn, it requires support from other sectors such as citizens, nongovernmental organizations and industry.
The Canadian population is dispersed, and the distances are vast, as well. The country benefits a lot from population growths that are high, northern climate and the exportation and production of natural resources. The latter is responsible for both non renewable and renewable resources through which it supports the Canadian economy. It also has to ensure that all times the health care, transportation and infrastructure systems are well taken care of. The Gross Domestic product of Canada is improved by the contribution of natural resources that are indirect and direct. In terms of percentage, the GDP obtained is between twenty to twenty five percent.
An act created by parliament known as the Federal Sustainable Development provides information required for environmental sustainability. The country’s economic, social and natural resources are responsible for efficient, ecological use. Canada’s government is making sure that the environmental impact is reduced as through its sustainable development goals. The government seeks to ensure that Canadians will benefit from wealth derived from sustainability. It has come up with a program on fisheries that are effective, affordable and science based.
In almost every part of the world, Corporate Social responsibility is a requirement for standard operating procedures. In Canada CSR is in a way mandatory as it contributes to a society that is environmentally sustainable. It ensures that companies participate in activities that are ethical and transparent, also contribute to sustainable development. In turn competitiveness, productivity and innovation are achieved by companies that engage in CSR activities. Other benefits that occur as a result of CSR include branding, improved reputation, excellent society expectations and capital access, among other things. Eric, David, and Osvaldo believe that the practice of CSR will help the Canadian society become sustainable. Furthermore, it motivates other players in the economy especially those who are wealthy to participate in CSR.
The best way possible of obtaining a society that is environmentally sustainable is through educating people. Training, education and public awareness are in line with the economic development that is current will help in achieving sustainability. Different perceptions exist concerning whether it is possible to have a society that is environmentally sustainable. According to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the guidelines that exist concerning sustainability are eighteen in number. An example of one of the principles states that those who engage in pollution should pay for engaging in this act. They should face the consequences of engaging in pollution. Consumption and population are the key issues in sustainability. Increases in resource and population usage jeopardize a future that is sustainable, also one that is linked to education. Other factors that it is associated with are resource consumption and fertility rate. Educating women concerning reproductive health reduces fertility rates and thus leads to population growth. By reducing the rates of fertility and reducing the risk of overpopulation, Canada is on its ways in achieving a society that is sustainable. The opposite is accurate for a relationship concerning a resource and education use. Moreover, those who are extremely educated and have high incomes, consume many resources than those who are poorly educated. They latter tend to have low incomes as compared to the former. This means that more educational opportunities increase the threats and barriers to sustainability.
More should be done to ensure that women are well educated as they are the ones who will make the society environmentally sustainable. Education benefits women in many life-altering processes and ways. A woman who is educated acquires a high status and an efficacy sense that is enhanced for women, education has proven to changes their ordinary lives, also how they interact with society as well as maintain their economic status. By educating women, it ensures that their lives are more equitable as well as that of their families. Their ability to participate in decision making in the community is increased and it leads to achieving goals of a sustainable nature.
Canadian citizens have a role to play in ensuring that they have a society that is environmentally sustainable. In order to achieve sustainable development individual citizens can control their actions in an attempt to make progress. The environmental, economic, and social impacts of sustainable development are as a result of decisions made by citizens. The latter must make informed decisions such as reducing pollution, recycling, and waste reduction, as well as water and energy conservation. Other ways through, which they easily contribute to sustainability, is through basic activities such as being healthy, using vehicles that are fuel efficient and even biking. The mentioned activities contribute a lot in achieving sustainability according to Eric, David, and Osvaldo (p.156).
Globalization is defined as the process of ensuring that different parts of the world are connected. The authors seem to believe that, through globalization, the Canadian society can become sustainable. Furthermore, the global economy is not making as much progress as that of the modern state. As a result of technology, people are becoming informed about many issues, which in turn, increase their life’s quality. Globalization brings about communication, and in turn, various products become available to the Canadian society. Terrorism is a problem, which has been brought about by Globalization, and its effects are disastrous. Society cannot be at peace if they are constantly being threatened. Thus, it seems that terrorism affects sustainable development in a negative manner. This is the reason why organizations such as the UN, EU and NAFTA have been formed. They are concerned with global politics that is beneficial to society by making it environmentally sustainable. Membership to these organizations has proven in many scenarios especially those dealing with climate change to be extremely helpful. Thus, more should be done to make the Canadian society be well informed on such issues, through proper education.
In conclusion, it is indeed possible to have a society that is environmentally sustainable. Everyone in the society should step up and ensure that they engage in activities that are sustainable. Women should become informed about the power that they have, and how it can assist society. The government has a role to play in promoting sustainable development as it this is what is expected of it. It should come up with effective regulations and policies that seek to improve the environment. Cooperation between the Canadian government and other interested stake holders should be promoted. These efforts will make the lives of people become well in the futures and the present situation. According to Benjamin Barber, a political scientist from the United States, globalization will help in achieving sustainable development. The society should aim at having a society that is democratic in order to become sustainable. Indeed, a lot needs to be done to make the reality of having a society that environmentally sustainable possible.
References
Mintz, Eric.& David, Close & Osvaldo, Croci. Politics, Power and the Common Good: An Introduction to Political Science. 3rd ed. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education, 2011.
