Political Ideologies

With COWS

Anarchy

• Absence of any form of political authority.

Examples: Occupy Wall Street

Two Cows - Anarchy

• You have two cows, your neighbor has none.

He takes one from you because he wants one. You would go to the police for help, but there aren’t any.

Manorialism

A political and economic system, based on the holding of land by lords who protected the serfs in return for service.

Two Cows - Manorialism

You have two cows.

Your lord takes some of the milk in exchange for protection.

Your neighbor has no cows.

Your neighbor is in big trouble.

Feudalism A political and economic system in which land and

government are given to vassals in return for their military service.

Two Cows-- Feudalism

• You have no cows.

• A lord gives you two cows

• AND the right to rule the serfs

• In return for your sword service.

Theocracy

• A government ruled by or subject to religious authority.

Two Cows - Theocracy

You have two cows.

Your neighbor wants them, and accuses you of being a witch. Goodbye.

Democracy

A government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them.

Democracy

• You have two cows.

• Your neighbor steals one.

• Your other neighbors make him give it back.

Republic/Representative Democracy

• A defining characteristic is the absence of a monarch; power comes only from the people.

• A type of democracy in which the citizens delegate authority to elected officials.

Two Cows – Representative Democracy

• You have two cows. Your neighbors don’t have any.

• You and your neighbors pick someone to determine exactly what you’ll be allowed to do with the milk.

Capitalism

• An economic system in which

investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations.

• Capitalism tends to oppose cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

• Adam Smith: “When an individual pursues his self-interest, he indirectly promotes the good of society.”

Two Cows - Capitalism

• You have two cows. Your neighbor has none. You sell one cow and buy a bull. You breed them, and sell your neighbor a new cow for a profit.

Socialism • A theory or system of social

organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution in the community as a whole. • Social Democracy – Advocating the things important to socialism within free elections. Also supportive of reforms and regulations within Capitalism, but still supportive of the concept of a Free Market in general.

Two Cows - Socialism

• You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.

Communism • A system of social organization based on holding all

property in common. Actual ownership is given to the community as a whole, or to the state of behalf of the community.

Two Cows - Communism • You have two cows. Your neighbor has none.

You have to take care of them, but the single-party government takes all the milk to redistribute “fairly.”

• You have to stand in line for hours to get milk. • It is sour.

Fascism/Dictatorship

• A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, controlling all industry, commerce, and trade. There is an emphasis on nationalism, and often racism.

Two Cows - Fascism

• You have two cows. The government takes both, hires you to take care of them, and then shoots you.

Free Market

Command Market