Core beliefs of political ideologies

Which two ideolgies believe that all individuals are born equal and should have the same opportunities in life i.e., the state should not give anyone greater rights than anyone else (e.g., just because they come from a more powerful famiily).

• Conservative

• Liberal

• Socialist

Answer explanation

Socialists go a bit futher than liberals here, as they believe the state should actively intervene to give everyone the same opporunties. Liberalism is more concerned with stopping the state help the powerful, and less concerned with the state helping those with less power.

Which ideology believs that capitalism creates inequality, and should either be managed better, or destroyed completely?

• Conservative

• Liberal

• Socialist

Which ideology believs that society should not be equal, as there is a natural hierarchy of power and a natural ruling class?

• Conservative

• Liberal

• Socialist

Which two ideolgies believe that capitalism should not be restricted (meaning everyone should be free to buy/sell things for as much/little as they choose)?

• Conservative

• Liberal

• Socialist

Answer explanation

Both liberalism and conservatism believe in the "free market" (i.e., there should be no significant restrictions on the buying and selling of things). Liberals always believed this, but conservatives only started believing this in the 1980s.

Which ideology believes that social class matters (i.e., being working, middle or upper class affects our life chances)?

• Conservative

• Liberal

• Socialist

Which ideology believes that government should be limited, so the rights of the individual can be protected?

• Conservativism

• Liberalism

• Socialism

Answer explanation

Conservatives often believe this too, but it's not a core part of conservatism.

Which ideology believes there should be common/public ownership rather than private ownership of important services and industries (e.g., transport, schools and energy companies)?

• Conservativism

• Liberalism

• Socialism

Answer explanation

Socialists mistrust capitalism, and believe it forces people to compete with each other in a way that goes against human nature. They believe that public ownership of services and industries would allow everyone to work togfether for the greater good.

Which ideology believes that strong government and a large state is needed to enforce greater social justice so that everyone can have the same opportunities (and maybe even the same outcomes)?

• Conservativism

• Liberalism

• Socialism

Answer explanation

Socialists want the state to actively intervene to improve the chances of all citizens (e.g., by spending a lot on education, and requiring a high legal wage). A strong version of socialism is called communism. One of the ways communism is differet from socialism is that communists want everyone to have the same outcomes (e.g., everyone to have the same money), whilst socialists just want everyone to have the same opportunities.

Which ideology has a strong sense of a Nation-State, which includes a belief in maintain the traditions and customs of the country, and carefully controlling who is allowed in the country?

• Conservativism

• Liberalism

• Socialism

Answer explanation

Socialists want the state to actively intervene to improve the chances of all citizens. A strong version of socialism is called communism. One of the ways communism is differet from socialism is that communists want everyone to have the same outcomes (e.g., everyone to have the same money), whilst socialists just want everyone to have the same opportunities.

Which ideology believes that political power should be limited (e.g., by separating the power of the monarch from the government and House of Commons) in order to protect individuals from the state becoming too powerful?

• Conservativism

• Liberalism

• Socialism

Answer explanation

This belief is most closely associated with lberalism, but many conservatives also mistrust the state.