Chapter 1: Thinking About Identity and Ideologies
Overview
Identity and Ideology
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 an 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.
Concepts and Terms
This is a list of new terms you will encounter in this unit:
Ideology - A set of principles or beliefs created on certain views about human nature and society,
also explains an individual's role within the world. It interprets the past, explains the present, and
provides insight into the future.
Thomas Hobbes - An English philosopher during the 17th century who was best known for his
social contract theory. He believed that human life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and
short." If there was an absence of a strong central authority. Hobbes believed that when people
form a government, they enter into a social contract in which they give up some of their natural
rights in exchange for security and order. His views have also helped establish modern political
philosophy and the concept of the social contract.
John Locke - An important 17th-century English philosopher who was recognized for his views
on political philosophy and epistemology. He is well known for his belief in natural rights such as
life, liberty, and property. Locke's theories also helped create the basic framework for modern
liberal democracy and influenced the American Declaration of Independence.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau - A French philosopher and writer of the 18th century best known for his
thoughts on the social contract and the concept of the "noble savage". He claimed that society
corrupts individuals and that in order to achieve a good and equal society, people should develop
a collective social contract. Rousseau's theories have also had a significant impact on political
thought and have helped shape modern democratic norms.
, Representative democracy - A type of government where a smaller number of politicians are
elected by a larger number of citizens. People are able to vote on problems through elected
officials who represent them and thus establish laws in their best interests.
Individualism - An ideology and set of beliefs that prioritizes an individual's freedom and
self-worth over a group's security and peace.
Collectivism - An ideology and set of beliefs that prioritizes collective goals and the common
good over individualistic goals.
Divine right of kings - A political and religious belief that rulers get their authority directly from
God or a higher power. The belief is that kings and queens are elected by divine will and thus
they have complete authority over their subjects.
Liberalism - A group of ideologies that are all based on the principle of individual dignity and
freedom as the foundation of society. Liberalism believes in human progress and prefers a
decentralized power.
Socialism - An ideology that believes resources should be managed by the public for the benefit of
all members of society, rather than by private interests for the advantage of private owners.
Beliefs and Values - A set of beliefs that an individual acknowledges to be right. These can be
religious, political, scientific, or personal views. Beliefs and values are key components to an
individual's personal identity and ideology because they often reflect what a person perceives to
be important or meaningful.
Personal identity - A set of character-defining attributes, beliefs, and values that define an
individual and set them apart from others.
Collective identity - A shared sense of belonging that connects individuals based on their
experiences and sets of values. These collectives can be based on cultural, religious, or political
beliefs.
Worldview - A perspective by which individuals or collectives make sense of the world around
them. These perspectives are formed based on experiences, beliefs and values. It is these
perspectives of the world that determine how individuals engage with those around them.
Totalitarian - A government which is characterized by an authoritarian style of control over
almost all aspects of public and private life. Totalitarian states rule with complete authority and
power over all aspects of society including politics, the economy, culture, individual freedoms
and education.
Hegemony - One group's dominance over another through which the dominant group influences
and has the power to control aspects of culture, politics or behaviour of the other. This can be
seen in many international contexts where one country has major influence and or control over
Overview
Identity and Ideology
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 an 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.
Concepts and Terms
This is a list of new terms you will encounter in this unit:
Ideology - A set of principles or beliefs created on certain views about human nature and society,
also explains an individual's role within the world. It interprets the past, explains the present, and
provides insight into the future.
Thomas Hobbes - An English philosopher during the 17th century who was best known for his
social contract theory. He believed that human life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and
short." If there was an absence of a strong central authority. Hobbes believed that when people
form a government, they enter into a social contract in which they give up some of their natural
rights in exchange for security and order. His views have also helped establish modern political
philosophy and the concept of the social contract.
John Locke - An important 17th-century English philosopher who was recognized for his views
on political philosophy and epistemology. He is well known for his belief in natural rights such as
life, liberty, and property. Locke's theories also helped create the basic framework for modern
liberal democracy and influenced the American Declaration of Independence.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau - A French philosopher and writer of the 18th century best known for his
thoughts on the social contract and the concept of the "noble savage". He claimed that society
corrupts individuals and that in order to achieve a good and equal society, people should develop
a collective social contract. Rousseau's theories have also had a significant impact on political
thought and have helped shape modern democratic norms.
, Representative democracy - A type of government where a smaller number of politicians are
elected by a larger number of citizens. People are able to vote on problems through elected
officials who represent them and thus establish laws in their best interests.
Individualism - An ideology and set of beliefs that prioritizes an individual's freedom and
self-worth over a group's security and peace.
Collectivism - An ideology and set of beliefs that prioritizes collective goals and the common
good over individualistic goals.
Divine right of kings - A political and religious belief that rulers get their authority directly from
God or a higher power. The belief is that kings and queens are elected by divine will and thus
they have complete authority over their subjects.
Liberalism - A group of ideologies that are all based on the principle of individual dignity and
freedom as the foundation of society. Liberalism believes in human progress and prefers a
decentralized power.
Socialism - An ideology that believes resources should be managed by the public for the benefit of
all members of society, rather than by private interests for the advantage of private owners.
Beliefs and Values - A set of beliefs that an individual acknowledges to be right. These can be
religious, political, scientific, or personal views. Beliefs and values are key components to an
individual's personal identity and ideology because they often reflect what a person perceives to
be important or meaningful.
Personal identity - A set of character-defining attributes, beliefs, and values that define an
individual and set them apart from others.
Collective identity - A shared sense of belonging that connects individuals based on their
experiences and sets of values. These collectives can be based on cultural, religious, or political
beliefs.
Worldview - A perspective by which individuals or collectives make sense of the world around
them. These perspectives are formed based on experiences, beliefs and values. It is these
perspectives of the world that determine how individuals engage with those around them.
Totalitarian - A government which is characterized by an authoritarian style of control over
almost all aspects of public and private life. Totalitarian states rule with complete authority and
power over all aspects of society including politics, the economy, culture, individual freedoms
and education.
Hegemony - One group's dominance over another through which the dominant group influences
and has the power to control aspects of culture, politics or behaviour of the other. This can be
seen in many international contexts where one country has major influence and or control over
