Art & Politics

Introduction to Political Ideas

Fall 2008

Overview

Definition Components of The Political Spectrum

Political Ideas

Why do political ideas matter? Why should we consider the ways in which

politics informs or influences art and vice-versa?

What is this?

Political Ideas

Our understanding of political reality is shaped in part by the ideas we have in our head

Change the ideas, we change the perception of reality which in effect means we change the reality

Definition

Ideology: An organized system of ideas that rationalizes

and justifies the exercise of power

Organized

By “organized” we mean that the various ideas that comprise an ideology are logically connected to each other

e.g., if a person advocates all men are created equal, it follows that kingships and hereditary titles will not be part of that ideology

Definition

Ideology: An organized system of ideas that rationalizes

and justifies the exercise of power

Rationalizes

By “rationalizes” we mean that the ideas in the ideology will explain why the particular power relations, institutions, and distributive arrangements exist

The ideology offers an explanation for power

Definition

Ideology: An organized system of ideas that rationalizes

and justifies the exercise of power

Justifies

By “justifies” we mean that the ideas provide a moral account for why it is permissible for the power relations, institutions, and distributive arrangments to exist.

Components of

Ideologies will generally answer 4 sets of related questions: A theory of human nature A theory on the relationship between individual and

society A normative theory providing a standard to measure

right and wrong A theory on the pace, and possibility, of political change

Human Nature

Are human beings fundamentally “good or bad”?

Individual and the State

Which comes first? Do people come

together to form a society and the state?

Does the state/society create the individuals who comprise it?

Normative Criteria

What is the standard by which we judge actions and power? Equality? Freedom? Honor?

Who’s interests should matter? Individuals? Nature? Class? State? Race? Gender?

Continuity and Change

Can we predict with sufficient certainty the impact of our actions?

Should current generations be beholden to decisions made by previous generations?

Does political change occur gradually or quickly?

Is revolution possible?

Political Ideas and Art

Political ideas help unite a people, whether in support of, or in resistance to, the powers that be

Art is another way of communicating ideas with each other, in each of these circumstances

The Political Spectrum

Traditionally (since the 18th century) we have used the language of “left” and “right” to describe different political ideologies Left = more liberal/radical Right = more conservative

The Political Spectrum

Roots of the spectrum are in the French Revolution Supporters of the kind sat on the right side of the

hall; the critics and revolutionaries sat on the left

The Political Spectrum

“Red” becomes the color of the left (as in the “better dead than Red” taunts during the Cold War) for the same reason

Political Spectrum

liberalism

socialismcommunism anarchism

fascism

monarchism, etc.

Political Spectrum

Left Right

more equality more hierarchymore individual more statemore for change more for stability