Political Ideologies and Economics

The Cow Version

What does the cow say?

Democracy

• A form of government where the most power is held by the people

• Usually this power is given to representatives (politicians) through elections

Democracy…cow analogy

• You have two cows. Your neighbors vote to see who gets the milk.

LEFT WING IDEOLOGIES

Socialism

• A system where the collective (everyone) or the government decides how goods will be produced and distributed to the people

• The goal is to give equal work and goods to all people

= everyone is happy

Socialism…cow analogy

In theory: You have two cows. You give one to a neighbour.

In practice:You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to a neighbour.

Democratic Socialism

A democratic government which uses a socialist economic system. This may mean using principles of democracy in the economy.

Democratic Socialism…cow analogy

• You have two cows. Your neighbours vote on who can distribute the milk to everyone.

Communism

• An extreme socialist system of government• The government has more controlThe Claim:• Communism makes a better and more equal

society• All human activity (work, etc.) is to benefit the

government, which in turn is to benefit the peopleThe Reality:• Usually the only ones to benefit are the

government elite and their inner circle

Communism…cow analogy

• You have two cows. The government takes them and gives you some of the milk.

RIGHT WING IDEOLOGIES

Capitalism (Economic)

• An economic system where the production and distribution of goods is privately owned

• Business owners can profit greatly• Workers get paid for their degree of work

Capitalism…cow analogy

You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

Capitalism

• Some people think their work deserves greater pay or recognition (minimum wage vs.. millionaires)

• If workers are treated poorly enough they might revolt

Conservativism

• Respect for tradition, the rule of law, and (Christian) religion

Conservativism…cow analogy

• You have two cows. You freeze the milk and keep the cows safe in their pen.

• If you are a conservative capitalist, you turn your farm into a zoo where people pay admission.

Nationalism

• The government advocates for its country to be independent and powerful

• The government may believe its country deserves more rights than other countries

Nationalism…cow analogy

You have two cows. The government takes them and declares them better than all other cows in the world.

If left unchecked…

The most extreme governments become Totalitarian

Examples:• Soviet Russia• Nazi Germany

Totalitarianism

• A government that controls nearly all areas of public and private life

• Any activities that are not for the government (labour unions, churches, other political parties) are not tolerated

Totalitarianism

Power is maintained by:• Secret police• Propaganda spread by the government-

controlled media • Restriction of freedom of speech, voting, etc.• Widespread use of terror tactics

Totalitarianism…cow analogy

• You have two cows. The government takes them and denies they ever existed. Milk is banned. You disappear and are written out of history.

Fascism

• A system of government with– complete control by a dictator, – a government controlled economy, – violent suppression of the opposition, – a policy of nationalism and racism.

Fascism…cow analogy

• You have two cows. The government takes them and sells you some milk. Then the government sends you to a hard labour camp.

Nazism

• Today is called Neo-Nazi• Nazism advocated for extreme national pride

and elimination of all “inferior races”

Nazism…cow analogy

You have two cows. The government discovers that cows do not have a nation, and are actually from an inferior race of leeches.The cows are gassed. You are sent to a death camp for owning inferior cows.