UNIT 1: IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY

1. OVERVIEW

How do you see the world around you?

Do you believe people are inherently good and care about their fellow human beings?
Or do you think most people have a darker, selfish side that is kept in check only by rules and laws?
Do you think people should be responsible for their own well-being, or should society take responsibility for the care of the individuals that make it up?
Where do you fit in? What is your role as individual within society?
Why do you believe what you do? How much have your beliefs been shaped by those of others and to what extent do your beliefs guide your interactions with other members of society?

These questions all touch upon who you believe you are, what you value in life, and your attitudes toward the society you live in. In short, they are questions of identity and ideology.

In this unit, you examine these questions in greater detail, and explore the relationship between your own identity and ideology. As well, we consider the extent to which ideology can affect both individual and collective (group) identity.

Identity:

How is your identity influenced by various factors such as culture, language, or gender?
How does the your interaction with various groups, or collectives, influence who you are?

Ideologies:

Ideologies are big ideas about the nature of people and society. They are a set of ideas or beliefs that help us categorize how people and groups see the world.

This course focuses on where these ideas come from, and how they influence the actions of both individuals and groups. How do these sets of beliefs, like capitalism for example, help shape the society in in which we live?
This unit introduces various ideologies, and explores the characteristics and themes that help define these belief systems.

In this unit, you will consider again the factors that influence your identity, including the relationship between identity and ideology through a focus on the issue question:

To what extent should ideology be the foundation of identity?

This unit has 3 sections:

What are beliefs and values?
What is an ideology?
Individualism, Collectivism and the Common Good

2. Concepts and Terms

Unit Question: To what extent should ideology be the foundation of identity?

Issue Question: To what extent are ideology and identity interrelated?

In this unit, you will explore the following big ideas based on questions arising from the issue question:

What factors influence our individual beliefs and values?
What are the characteristics and themes of an ideology?
What are the relationships among individualism, collectivism, and the common good?

This is a list of new terms you will encounter in this unit.

assumption
belief
collective identity
collective norms
collectivism
common good
communism
conservative
extremism

fascism
identity
ideology
individualism
liberalism
moderate
nazism
personal identities
progressive taxation

progressivism
reactionary
rule of law
self-interest
socialism
societal norms
value
worldview

3. Influence

Throughout your Social Studies education, you have been asked to think about your identity. Who are you as an individual? Who are you as a member of a group?

Look at the man on the left. He is a North Korean, posing in front of a communist monument in his own country. North Korea is a repressive state that controls its citizens tightly. Is this man's identity shaped by ideology? Is yours?
Although we are all individuals, with personal identities, we also have an identity as members of the various groups to which we belong. Our collective identity is also important.

Many factors influence our individual and collective beliefs and values. How does family and culture shape our beliefs? How does gender influence our values and the values of society? How do religion and spirituality shape us as individuals and as a group? Our environment and our relationship to it also influences our beliefs and values. The media also has a role, as does language. Finally, what role does ideology play? Ideologies are big ideas about the nature of people and society.

Read about beliefs, values, and identities on pages 23 to 26 in your text Perspectives on Ideology.

In this section, you will be answering these questions:

What are your beliefs and values?
What factors influence your personal and collective beliefs and values?

4. Beliefs and Values

Read "The Influence of Our Beliefs and Values" on page 28 of your text, Perspectives on Ideology.

As you read in your textbook pages above, individuals all have differing values and beliefs. These beliefs and values are influenced by many factors. Study the diagram below.

Now, consider the following statements regarding certain beliefs and values:

Aboriginal people have more respect for the land than Canadians of other ethnic backgrounds.
A woman is meant-both physically and psychologically-to be a wife and mother.
Poor people live in poverty because they do not work hard enough.
Individuals cannot be held responsible for their actions because they act as a result of their upbringing and genetics.
A family consists of a man, a woman, and one or more children.

Do you agree or disagree with these statements?

What beliefs or values underlie these statements?

Why or why not?

Statements such as these are assumptions. They are believed by people although they cannot be proven. In fact, the statements above can be considered ideological assumptions because they are based on more than a simple generalization, they are based on fundamental ideas about the nature of humanity and society.

Many people take for granted their core beliefs about how the world works. The problem with these assumptions is that they may not have been tested or examined in comparison to others.

What assumptions do you hold about the world around you?

In the remainder of this section, you will explore what influences your beliefs and values, which form the foundation of your personal ideology. By reflecting upon your own assumptions, hopefully you will become more aware of what influences other people's beliefs and actions.

5. Perspectives

The three statements below present differing views about how beliefs and values influence us as individuals, as well as our society. Read and consider the following:

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears apples.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What distinguishes the majority of men from the few is their inability to act according to their beliefs.

John Stuart Mill

I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

Bertrand Russell

Values and beliefs are highly personal and subjective. It is these ideas which form our personal ideology.

For example:

Do you believe we are born believing certain things, or we develop these over time?
When do you act according to your beliefs?
How strongly held are your beliefs? Would you die for them? Or, like Bertrand Russell, do you think your beliefs could be wrong?

Choose ONE of the statements presented in the coloured boxes above, and brainstorm some answers to the questions below. This will help you develop the analytical skills required for success in the course.

What ideas about values and beliefs are presented in the source?
Explain the author's ideas in your own words.
To what extent do you agree with the perspective presented in the source?

6. Factors

© UN Photo/Milton Grant

Individuals do not live in a vacuum. Each is surrounded by other people. Families, friends, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces, and religious communities all help mould you into the person you are. Each play a key role in shaping your beliefs and your identity.

The Role of Culture

A broad term, culture can include the values, religious or spiritual beliefs, language, food, clothing, marriage customs, and approaches to child raising that are shared by a particular group of people.

Your culture is something you share with other people. Cultural beliefs and values are collective beliefs and values. You do not have an individual culture. As you have learned throughout your Social Studies education, culture is a complex term referring to the ways groups of people live and change over time. Your culture includes your heritage, ethnic background, religion, language, traditions, and ways of doing things.

Culture is learned and passed from one generation to the next. Each person is born into a specific cultural situation and absorbs the values, attitudes, and behaviour patterns of that culture.

Canada is a multicultural country. That means that it includes many groups of people with varied backgrounds and beliefs. In our pluralistic society, most Canadians value the diversity that comes with having many cultures living together in one country.

Many other factors influence beliefs and values, too.

Take notes about the main ideas as you read the pages in your textbook, listed below.
Refer to the tutorial How to Take Notes

You will not be asked to submit your notes for marking, but they will help your understanding of how these factors influence ideologies later on in the course.

Read the following articles of your text, Perspectives on Ideology, to explore the factors that influence individual and collective beliefs and values, pages 32 to 46.

"Family Influence", pages 32-33
"Relating Gender to Beliefs and Values", pages 33-34
"Religion and Spirituality", pages 34-36
"Environment", pages 37-39
"Relationship to Land", pages 39-41
"Language and Ideology", pages 41-44
"Media, Beliefs, and Values", pages 44-46.

7. Ideologies

Consider the images of the statues. Do you see pieces of bronze, marble, concrete, and copper, or do you see representations of an idea or a set of ideas? For many people, these images are associated with sets of ideas for organizing human society. In other words, each is associated with an ideology.

Can you identify any of the ideologies represented by the statues? Communism? Liberalism? Fascism? This entire course examines the development and impact of these ideologies as symbolized by these statues.

In Section 1, you began to develop an understanding of how beliefs and values influence identity. In this section, we examine the characteristics and themes that make up these belief systems, otherwise known as ideologies.

In this section, you will be answering these questions:

What is an ideology?
What are some characteristics and themes of ideologies?

8. Defining Ideologies

Creative Commons

The Oxford dictionary defines ideology as a 'system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of political and economic theory or policy.' Historically, the word ideology comes from the root word ide "idea" and the suffix -ology meaning "the study of...".

Ideology refers to the complex system of values and beliefs each of us holds about the world, the way it operates, and our place within it. Essentially, it helps us filter how we see, and then interact, with others.

By categorizing sets of beliefs into ideologies, we can discuss the similarities and differences that exist within our communities and between other societies.

Consider the following perspectives about ideology:

Ideology invariably leads to hatred. You hate people who don't share your ideology. You regard them as evil and, therefore, worthy to be crushed or else you regard them as "lost" and, therefore, they must be "saved"-even if it calls for crushing them. We see with the fanatical embrace of one's ideology the various schisms, demigod wannabes, divisions, dogmatism. I now truly believe it is an inherent problem. And it is beyond me why so-called "independent thinkers" would wish to ascribe to themselves some form of "ism"-a system of thought founded by someone else. Irony abounds.

Victor Pross, British Columbia artist

Ideology is usually defined as a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture. The term is generally associated with politics and party platforms, but it can also mean a given set of values that are implicit in any human enterprise.

Louis Giannetti, Understanding Movies

When we think of an ideology in this more dynamic sense, we mean much the same thing as that when we use such expressions as "outlook on life", "general attitude of mind", "mode of thought", "intellectual position", "Weltanschauung", "mental standpoint", "method of approach", "general viewpoint", and so on.

Harold Walsby, The Domain of Ideologies

Typically, an ideology is the creation of some identifiable group (political, cultural, economic) for the purpose of spreading or maintaining its perspective on reality among themselves and others.

Austin Cline

Ideological beliefs and values are so fundamental to our self-image (both as individuals and as cultures) that they are taken as "natural and inevitable". In other words, we generally assume that the tenets we hold are true, natural, and universal. Indeed, there are ideologies that uphold the status quo or "dominant" ideologies. On the other hand, there are also ideologies that are not mainstream, and these are sometimes labeled "subversive". However, because each of us is unique, no set of ideological beliefs is absolute.

Elanna Starr, Villanova University

Focus on the Issue Question

What do the authors think about ideologies?

As you learn more about ideologies, in theory and practice, you will be closer to answering this issue question:

To what extent should we embrace an ideology?

9. Characterisitics of Ideology

While they may hold different beliefs, ideologies tend to share certain common characteristics. Recognizing these can be very important to gain a better understanding of each ideology, and what sets them apart from other sets of beliefs. Most ideologies possess certain beliefs about:

Human Nature: Whether most people hold essentially good or bad intentions
Social Structure: How society should be structured based on equality or hierarchy.
Interpretations of history: Whether history has lessons for present society, or should be disregarded as simply 'the past.'
Visions of the future: What the future should look like in terms of political and economic structures.

Read "Themes and Characteristics of Ideology", pages 48 to 50 in Perspectives on Ideology; stop at the heading "The Themes of Ideology" on page 50.

As you read, take notes on each of these characteristics of ideology.

The beliefs and ideas promoted by an ideology are often supported by rituals, heroic figures, and important documents such as constitutions, famous speeches, and national anthems. Heroic figures may include noted leaders or military figures who fought and died protecting the values and beliefs associated with the ideology. Others include now famous thinkers or leaders that seem to characterize or emulate the ideology.

The image to the right is a statue of Kim Il Sung, former dictator of communist North Korea. His memory is revered by many North Koreans who refer to him as the "Great Leader". The dates of his birth and his death are national holidays. North Korea abolished the position of president after his death so he could be named "the eternal President of the Republic". He is often connected to North Korea's totalitarian dictatorship.

Example: A Canadian Ritual

Ritual or traditions can also have an important role in reinforcing ideology. For example, the opening of a session of Canada's democratic Parliament is highly ritualized. On the first day of Parliament following an election, a person called the Usher of the Black Rod walks ceremonially to the doors of the House of Commons and raps three times on the door with an ornate black rod. The newly elected Members of Parliament are invited to the Senate Chamber where the Queen's representative, the Governor-General, reads the Speech from the Throne. All of this is based on the democratic tradition taken from the British.

Why does the Governor-General not come to the larger House of Commons instead of making 338 MPs walk to the smaller Senate Chamber? The Governor-General, as the monarch's representative, is not allowed into the House of Commons because the chamber is considered to be the house of the common or ordinary people.

In 1642, King Charles I entered the British House of Commons with the intention of arresting five MPs. Since then, neither monarchs nor their representatives have been allowed into the House of Commons in Britain or in Canada. Despite the fact that Canada's Governor-General is unlikely to order soldiers to arrest elected MPs, the ritual of excluding royal representatives is maintained because it symbolizes the freedom of the people's representatives to make laws without fear of retribution from an unelected king or queen.

10. Themes of Ideologies

Image in the public domain.

You may have learned about apartheid in South Africa in one of your previous Social Studies classes. In Afrikaans, the word means separateness. It was a legal system that segregated the people in South Africa based on their race ("black", "white", "coloured", or "Indian"). The system was in effect in South Africa from 1948 until 1994. When this system was begun, blacks lost their citizenship in their own country. They were removed forcibly from their homes and sent to "homelands". Better education, health care, and other services were provided to white people ("Europeans" or "whites").

What is the basis for apartheid to be considered an "ideology"? How does apartheid exhibit the characteristics of an ideology you learned about in the previous section? Consider how South African apartheid answered the following questions:

What is the nature of human beings?
How should society be structured?
How has history shaped our view of the present?
How do we envision the future of South Africa?

All ideologies attempt to answer these types of questions and they often exhibit various themes. For example, apartheid was a political and economic system based on beliefs that society should be structured around race. This led to an unequal socio-political system of rigid laws based on racial superiority.

Here is a list of possible themes that often present themselves in ideologies:

nation
class
race
relationship to the land or environment
gender
religion
progressivism

Depending on a person or group's particular ideology, a theme or themes may be dominant. For example, adherence to a religious belief may be more important to Hutterites than loyalty to a nation. As the course progresses, you will learn more about how these themes have influenced ideologies in the past and the present.

How would you explain the ideological characteristics of apartheid?

Check your ideas here

The nature of human beings: Under apartheid, the dominant society held the belief that white people were different, and in fact, superior to people from other races and that the two races could not live side by side.
Structure of society: Under apartheid, there was a very definite structure to society in which people of various races had various legal rights and various roles.
Interpretation of history: The nation known today as South Africa was colonized by the Dutch and the British in the 1800s. Many Europeans settled in the area, establishing farms and mining operations. The Europeans dominated the economy and politics of the area and claimed to believe that the African people would be better able to rule themselves under their previous system of tribal rule and that the European people would be better off under their own form of democracy.
Vision for the future: A future was envisioned in which there would be distinct geographic areas an\long with different laws and expectations for white and black South Africans.

Was progressivism a theme of apartheid?

Progressivism is a movement that supports better conditions for the average person. For a more specific definition, check out the course glossary, or read page 51 of your textbook.

Under apartheid, the average white person enjoyed political, social and economic advantages compared to black South Africans. In part, this was based on the idea that black South Africans would live better in their own homelands, rather than integrated with whites or living in cities.

Read, starting at the heading "The Themes of Ideology", pages 50 to 51 in Perspectives on Ideology. Give particular attention to the chart on page 51. Stop at the heading "Ideologies in Practice" on page 51.

Take point form notes on each theme listed in the chart on page 51 of your textbook.

Watch a brief news story about the history of apartheid in South Africa.

View this PowerPoint on Ideologies

11. Quiz 1.1

Please head to Quiz 1.1 in the unit tab and complete it.

12. Individualism Vs. Collectivism

You know that you have an identity as an individual; a unique person who has many skills, talents, and perspectives. This is based on your one-of-a-kind genetics and dozens of other factors that have influenced the person you are today and the person you will become. You are also part of many collectives. You are a member not only of a family and a community, but you are also part of a culture, a society, and a nation. Collective groups have their own identities based on geography and centuries of history.

Ideologies can be primarily individualist or primarily collectivist. However, both forms of ideology share aspects of individualism and collectivism. Why? We are all individuals but we also are all members of society as a whole. Is it possible to have both individualist and collectivist values? Can people who believe in different ideologies live and work together within a nation? ...within the global community?

To help you understand how ideologies compare, they are often categorized along a line called a spectrum. See a basic spectrum of individualism and collectivism below.

As you work through the remainder of Unit 1 and Social Studies 30-1, you will continue to explore the interaction between individualism and collectivism.

All other ideologies, or categories of beliefs, contain either principles of collectivism, individualism, or a combination of both.

Read about individualism and collectivism on, pages 64 to 65 in your textbook Perspectives on Ideology. Stop at the heading "Early Understandings of Individualism and Collectivism".
As you read, think about the key differences between individualist and collectivist ideologies.

Continue to take notes as you read.

In this section, you will also be introduced to some skill-building activities that will help you write the position paper that is due at the end of the unit. Select this link to see a sample concept map about the source quote on the T-shirt above.

View this PowerPoint on Individualism and Collectivism

In this section, you will be answering these questions:

What is individualism?
What is collectivism?
How are individualism and collectivism related to the common good?

13. Individualism

Many people came to North America looking for greater freedoms and opportunities for themselves and their families. They wanted to come to a country where they could be themselves, be true to their own beliefs, work hard, and succeed. Although many Canadians believe in working together to create a society that is good for everyone, in today's Canadian society and in the Canada of the past, the pursuit of individual goals has been important also.

A belief in individualism is a foundation of ideologies such as liberalism, which is the main ideology found in Western democratic and economic systems today.

Individualism is an ideology based on the primacy of individual freedom. It is a belief in the freedom and worth of the individual over the security and welfare of the group. A supporter of the principles of individualism is referred to as an individualist. Supporters of individualism believe that self-reliance and personal autonomy create the best society.

Consider the T-shirt at the top of this page, then look at the quote below.

What do they say about individualism?
To what extent do you agree with the ideological perspective presented?

More and more, when faced with the world of men, the only reaction is one of individualism. Man alone is an end unto himself.

Albert Camus

Some values and beliefs behind individualism

Each person is unique.
Individuals are responsible for their own well-being, for meeting their own needs, and for making their own decisions and judgements.
Individuals obtain meaning in their lives by working towards their own goals through their own work and through competition with others.
Individuals' rights and freedoms are of the utmost importance and are protected by law.

Principles of Individualism

Private Property (right to own)
Rule of Law
Individual Rights & Freedoms
Competition
Economic Freedom
Self-Interest

Read pages 71 to 79 in your textbook, Perspectives on Ideology.

As you read, take notes on the key principles of individualism.

How do they apply to you as a member of Canadian society?
Do you believe in following any of these principles?

Before reading further: How would you analyze the perspective found on the T-shirt at the top of this page?

--------------

Here's what conclusions you should reach when analyzing the shirt:

Nature of Man: People are essentially good, intelligent and able to succeed on their own
Beliefs and Values: Belief in freedom and equality of opportunity
Role of Government: Extremely limited
Ideological Perspective: Extremely individualistic: Classical Liberalism

You will learn more about individualist-based ideologies in theory and in practice throughout this course.

14. Collectivism

Although today's North American society is based primarily on individualism, it also is based on some of the themes and principles of collectivism. Prior to the arrival of North American explorers and settlers, many Indigenous societies were strongly collectivist. They took collective responsibility for decision-making, for raising children, for safety and security, and for providing the community with food. They did not believe in the ownership of private property, especially ownership of the land.

Many First Nations communities in Canada still share a belief in working for the good of the community. Historically, other societies have held collective ideologies. In many societies, acting for the good of the entire community rather for the good of each individual was necessary for survival. For the non-Aboriginal people who settled in early Canada, some of the principles of collectivism such as cooperation, collective interest, and collective responsibility helped them form safe and secure communities.

Collectivism is an ideology based on the importance of collective welfare. As an ideology, it represents a belief in achieving the goals of the group and the common good over the goals of any one individual. A supporter of the principles of collectivism is referred to as a collectivist.

Consider the two sources below.

What are they saying about collectivism?
To what extent do you agree with the authors?

In not my but in our collective hands is held the promise of change.

Mark Sanford

There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.

Woodrow Wilson

Some values and beliefs behind collectivism:

Each person has unique skills and abilities that are used for the good of the community. Conformity to group norms, obedience, and harmony are expected.
The community is responsible for everyone's well-being, for meeting their needs, and for making decisions and judgments.
People obtain meaning in their lives through contributions to the larger community, working cooperatively towards common goals.
Rights of the group take precedence; individual rights are secondary.

Principles of Collectivism

Public Property
Economic Equality
Adherence to Collective Norms
Collective Interests
Cooperation
Collective Responsibility

Read pages 80 to 86 your textbook, Perspectives on Ideology.

As you read, take notes on the key principles of collectivism.

Do any of these principles apply to you as a member of Canadian society?
Do you believe in following any of these principles personally

If you were going to establish a position on the ideological perspective of the T-shirt above, what are some possible positions you could take? What arguments and evidence could you present?

15. Quiz 1.2

Please go to the quiz link found in the unit tab for 1.2 and complete that.

16. Ideological Spectrum

As you have learned, ideologies represent the views and values of individuals and societies. In many ways, they are difficult to categorize because they encompass many views. Not only do people have ideas about how society should be organized, they also have distinct views about political and economic matters.

To help understand and compare ideologies, they are often placed along a spectrum. This line or grid is often associated with certain values and beliefs, and establishes a common ground to further examine different ideologies.

Left and Right on the Ideological Spectrum

One way of looking at ideologies is to put them on a spectrum from right to left. The political spectrum originated with the seating arrangement of the French National Assembly of 1789. Historically, those who supported the Ancien Régime sat on the right, and those who wanted change towards greater democracy sat on the left. Today in France, the left is called the "Party of Movement" and the right is called the "Party of Order". Political scientists today continue to categorize ideologies, or different belief systems, along this line.

Today, the spectrum helps categorize how different ideologies feel about political, social, or economic structures in society. For purposes of this course, it is important you learn how these values place on the ideological spectrum.

In North America, the right and left are used to describe a very broad range of ideologies. You may have heard these terms in the news to describe people, political parties, and nations. Sometimes people are referred to as right wing or left wing. These terms are emotionally charged and are often used as a way of insulting someone's beliefs or practices.

There are other ways to categorize these ideologies. Some organize these different belief systems in a grid. See below:

Another way to present differing ideologies is through an arc. Pay careful attention to the labels on each axis or line.

When comparing another outside reference to ideology, always refer back to how this course defines the ideological spectrum. It will be important to distinguish the ideology in theory with how others practice and label certain ideology.

Economic Spectrum

One way to consider ideologies is to put them on a spectrum or continuum. This shows where the systems are in relation to each other. It also shows that the elements may blur together, but the ends of each point are ideological opposites. Remember that a continuum is a model-the end points are the ideals, and in reality there are no absolutes! The right hand side of the spectrum refers to greater individualism and greater economic freedom and the left hand side of the spectrum represents collectivism and greater economic equality.

Communism is one ideology that values extreme collectivism both politically and economically. Communism was the ideology of the former Soviet Union, and is the main ideology practiced in Cuba, North Korea, and Laos today. Today, China and Vietnam are communist countries politically, but both countries practice some form of capitalism economically. Later in this course, you will consider communism in more detail, especially in regard to its political and economic characteristics.

Inside the back cover of your textbook find different world economies placed on an economic spectrum. This resource will come in handy in Unit Three and Six.

Political Spectrum

Political ideologies can also be categorized or arranged based on social and political beliefs. While the left encourages change, the right side tends to resist new ideas in favour of tradition. The end points represent extremes of ideology. Political extremes both support swift, sometimes violent change. The words revolutionary or radical often describe the extreme left position. The extreme right tends to resist change, often using violent measures. Counter-revolutionary or reactionary describe this far right position.

The extreme left favours greater equality of all people, including acceptance of multiculturalism, while the extreme right supports maintaining the status quo, or how things were "in the good old days", including the promotion of one distinct national culture. The centre represents a moderate position that may range from moderate left to moderate right. Moderates may support change on some issues while resisting it on others.

Inside the front cover of your textbook check out how key political thinkers align on the spectrum. This will come in handy when completing Unit Two.

Extremism on the Spectrum

Extremism is found at both ends of the ideological spectrum. On the extreme right side politically, is fascism. It is an extremely reactionary ideology that grew in the 1920s and 1930s in Europe, most notably in Germany under Adolf Hitler, and in Italy under Benito Mussolini.

Fascism is a nationalistic and racist ideology that calls for the development of a racially pure nation. It resulted in the totalitarian state of Nazi Germany, in which the government controlled almost every aspect of peoples' lives. You will learn more about fascism as an extreme right-wing political ideology in Nazi Germany later in the course.

17. Individualism as an Ideology

When you think about individualism, what kind of society do you think about?

Do you think about a perfect world where each person has the chance to live his or her dreams?
Do you think about a world where everyone competes and many fail with no one to help them ?
What about a society in which people are free to make the most of their own decisions, but also free to establish rules and programs to help those in need?

All of these societies are based to some extent on the ideology of individualism. Individualism is the foundational ideology on the right hand side of the spectrum. Any right wing ideology will place varying degrees of importance on the individual in society. See the spectrum below to identify the ones studied in this course in subsequent units.

Consider the quote on the T-shirt:

Is the ideological perspective more individualist or collectivist?
Do you agree with the perspective that is reflected on the T-shirt?

As learned on page 1.3.2, the principles of individualism make up the acronym PRICES. To be successful in this course, it is important to remember and understand these right wing principles.

Study the spectrum below. Each of these ideologies will be studied in subsequent units.

Individualism is the foundation of liberal ideologies (liberalism), which is the prevailing ideology in Western political and economic systems. In Social 30-1 you spend a great deal of time studying the origin of liberalism, responses to it, as well as the evolution of this ideology.

This is a picture of a red T-shirt in which the logo reads "capitalism,"in which the slogan is written in the same font as that of the Coca Cola corporation.
Capitalism is an economic system that takes many forms. It is based on a belief in competition, private property, and the value of obtaining wealth.

Canada, the United States, and most democratic nations believe in capitalism.

The painting of a family sitting down to a traditional dinner is followed by a modern take on the event.

Conservatism is an ideology based on preserving society as it is, without making change towards greater freedom or equality. Conservatives tend to believe in following traditional values. Within every country, there are individuals who are more conservative than others.

There are many different types of conservatives. Some may call themselves financially (fiscally) conservative, while others would say they are socially conservative.

Liberalism is studied at length in this course. it is used to describe many ideologies, but its key features are a belief in the value of the individual, including individual freedom in political and economic affairs. Today's liberal governments also work towards creating a better nation for all citizens, and value equality, diversity, and government action to eliminate poverty and crime.

All democratic nations today are liberal to some extent.

Key in liberalism is a belief in individual freedom in political and economic affairs. Today, all democratic nations are liberal to some extent.

Consumerism is a set of values based on accumulating personal possessions with the idea that encouraging spending is good for the economy.

Most capitalist nations support a degree of consumerism.

18. Collectivism as an Ideology

When you think about collectivist societies, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

...a highly controlled communist state where private property is illegal and citizens have few freedoms?
...a communal society where people live in harmony and share their wealth?
...a society in which people are free to make most of their own decisions but also contribute to the common good through taxation?

All of these societies reflect various degrees of collectivism.

Consider the quote on the T-shirt:

How does it reflect collectivist principles?
Do you agree with the perspective that is reflected on the T-shirt?

Using the diagram below, review the principles of collectivism introduced on page 1.3.3. It is imperative you understand and can apply these principles in subsequent tasks.

It is very challenging to study ideologies, as they tend to evolve over time. Two societies may call themselves socialist, but they will slightly differ depending on their practice. Some countries may place greater emphasis on some collectivist principles, while other more extreme ideologies like communism, will prioritize every principle above individual rights and freedoms. Despite their emphasis, these collectivist principles can be found in all left wing ideologies. We study the following ideologies in subsequent units.

Communism

Communism is an ideology based on revolution and the premise "From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need". Essentially, the needs of the state or the collective are prized above individual wants.

The ideology was founded on the ideas of Karl Marx, who believed that history revealed a cycle of oppression, where the owners of production exploited the working poor. Marx believed that the workers of the nation must rise up and take power through revolution to establish a truly equal and classless society.

In practice, communist states have been unsuccessful both economically and politically. You will study communism in Unit Three and Six.

The title to the image above is 'Berlin Falls to Communism'.

Socialism

Socialism is used to describe several ideologies. Historically, socialism was an ideology based on the belief that resources should be owned and controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society.

However, many countries today practise what is known as social democracy or democratic socialism. These are democratic countries in which people vote for changes to the economic structure so that there will be greater equality.

This can include greater taxes for the rich, more social programs to help the disadvantaged, and the nationalization of resources.
To differing degrees, both Canada and Sweden are social democracies. This will be studied in greater depth during Unit Six.

19. The Common Good

As you have learned, most people do not believe in a society that only supports individualism or collectivism. However, both ideologies have different ideas of how to achieve the common good of society.

A person who believes strongly in putting personal interests ahead of everything else can still contribute to the good of society. A person who believes strongly in supporting common goals is still an individual with his or her own interests, values and personality. Each citizen develops their own ideology or set of beliefs about how to best achieve the common good.

Analyze the perspective on the T-shirt to the left.

What ideological perspective does it represent? Individualism, collectivism, or both?
How do you know?

The common good refers to the good of society as a whole. Most individuals and nations share some collective interests. People in more individualistic societies also contribute to the common good. For example, in Canada's democracy, we have political parties that hold different ideas on how to best achieve the common good.

This is a possible example of how individualism can promote the common good.

Read pages 87 to 89 your textbook, Perspectives on Ideology.

As you read, make notes about how individualism and collectivism are expressed in today's society.

Where are Canadians in terms of ideology?

Although we are all individuals with our own views, we are also members of Canadian society. Canada is a democracy, and Canadian citizens vote for the political party that best represents their own views. As a nation, we have agreed that this is the best approach to decision-making. We vote and then agree to follow the direction the elected governments take.

In Canada, many government actions are for the common good. Universal health care, public education, paved roads, national and provincial parks, various police forces, and countless social programs benefit society at large. Although not everyone has a child in school, visits a park, or receives social assistance, we have agreed that these programs make a better country for everyone. This ideology reflects modern liberal values, an ideology you will study later on in this course.

Study the cartoon on the right.
What is the cartoonist trying to say about government laws that prohibit smoking in public areas?

What do these pie graphs tell you about Canadian government practice and collectivism?

This graph shows that post-secondary education is funded mostly by the tuition fees of students, donations from past students, and research grants from corporations looking for a profit.

Does it show that post-secondary education is valued by Canadian society? Or does it show that, because it benefits individuals, they should pay for it themselves?

This graph shows that health care is funded mostly through taxpayers dollars.

Does it demonstrate a Canadian belief that good health care for everyone benefits all society? Or does it show that because individuals use health care, they should pay for their own healthcare?

This graph shows that utilities are almost half and half funded by the government and the private sector.

Does it show that some utilities must be financed by the government for the good of Canadian society? Or does it show that, because individuals use utilities, they should pay for them directly?

20. SUMMARY

Unit 1 explores ideologies and their impact on identity.

You learned about the themes and characteristics of an ideology.

Themes
Nation Class Race Relationship to the land or environment Gender Religion Progressivism

Characteristics
The nature of human beings Structure of society Interpretation of history Vision for the future

Rule of law
Individual Rights and Freedoms
Private Property
Economic Freedom
Self-Interest
Competition

Economic Equality
Co-operation
Public Property
Collective Interest
Collective Responsibility
Adherence to Collective Norms

Also, you looked briefly at some of the prevalent ideologies in the world. These will be studied in more detail later in the course.

Socialism
Communism
Liberalism
Capitalism
Fascism

Classical liberalism is primarily an individualistic ideology based on the principles of individualism. It produced many positive changes, but it resulted in challenges also. In the next unit, you will explore the development of classical liberalism, an ideology that came into being as a reaction to events and a result of new ideas about the nature of mankind and how societies should operate.

In Unit Two you will consider the issue question:

How did liberalism originate?

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Course:	Social 30-1 RVS
Book:	UNIT 1: IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY

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Date:	Saturday, 13 September 2025, 3:44 PM

UNIT 1: IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY

Description

Table of contents

1. OVERVIEW

Identity and Ideology

How do you see the world around you?

Identity:

Ideologies:

This unit has 3 sections:

2. Concepts and Terms

Unit Question: To what extent should ideology be the foundation of identity?

Issue Question: To what extent are ideology and identity interrelated?

This is a list of new terms you will encounter in this unit.

3. Influence

Influence of Beliefs and Values on Identity

4. Beliefs and Values

Your Beliefs and Values

5. Perspectives

Perspectives on Beliefs and Values

6. Factors

Factors that Influence Beliefs and Values

The Role of Culture

Many other factors influence beliefs and values, too.

7. Ideologies

What is an Ideology?

8. Defining Ideologies

Defining Ideology

Consider the following perspectives about ideology:

9. Characterisitics of Ideology

Characteristics of Ideology

Example: A Canadian Ritual

10. Themes of Ideologies

Various Themes in Ideologies

Was progressivism a theme of apartheid?

View this PowerPoint on Ideologies

11. Quiz 1.1

12. Individualism Vs. Collectivism

Overview: Individualism and Collectivism

View this PowerPoint on Individualism and Collectivism

13. Individualism

What is Individualism?

Some values and beliefs behind individualism

Principles of Individualism

14. Collectivism

What is Collectivism?

Some values and beliefs behind collectivism:

Principles of Collectivism

15. Quiz 1.2

16. Ideological Spectrum

The Ideological Spectrum

Left and Right on the Ideological Spectrum

17. Individualism as an Ideology

Individualism as an Ideology

18. Collectivism as an Ideology

Collectivism as an Ideology

19. The Common Good

Me and We: The Common Good

Where are Canadians in terms of ideology?

What do these pie graphs tell you about Canadian government practice and collectivism?

20. SUMMARY

Unit One Summary

Unit 1 explores ideologies and their impact on identity. You learned about the themes and characteristics of an ideology.

Themes

Characteristics

Unit 1 explores ideologies and their impact on identity.

You learned about the themes and characteristics of an ideology.