Global Economic Outlook, 2024 - Scholaride Consulting
Perspectives on ideology
1. Perspectives on Ideology<br />Source One<br />In this source, the ideological perspective that is represented is collectivism. In order to be collective, your thinking must value the group and the common good rather than the goals of the individuals. In this source we are presented with the Inuit who feel the need to share their food amongst the community. Even if they do not have enough for everyone, they will divide it up so everyone gets an equal share. With this mentality, they are considering the well-being of their community even if it means rationing their food. The author of this source compares the culture of the Aboriginal Peoples to society today, and how we developed the ideology of individualism. We are more self-centered and involved with our own problems that we no longer worry about how it is affecting society. <br />Even though the Inuit have the ideology of collectivism, they still express some principles of liberalism. The idea of welfare capitalism is going from classical liberalism’s idea of everyone for themselves, to having a welfare state which helps individuals in times of need. The Inuit use the idea of welfare capitalism because the people with extra food share with the others who have none. This relates to our society and how some of our tax money goes help people who may have nothing in their lives. <br />Source Two<br />In this source, the ideological perspective that is represented is individualism. The idea of individualism is focused on the values and freedom of the individual, which may not be in the best interest of society. The man commenting on the poor bear clearly reflects the idea of self-interest and that the bear should not beg/ask for help, he should be out working for his honey. This is a good example of Adam Smith’s idea that everyone must pursue their own interests, in order for society to prosper. This shows that the man is only focused on his own interests, and does not care that it is affecting the people in his community. <br />This source expresses the principle of self-interest and competition in classical liberalism. Classical liberalism is the idea of every man for himself, in order to move the economy forward. But we know that being completely individualist is not realistic in society. So this picture is showing that the bear is trying to bring collectivism into society but asking his fellow citizens for help. But the idea of welfare capitalism, a principle of modern liberalism, has not been developed in society. So the man still expresses the ideology of individualism. <br />Relationship <br />Both of these sources reflect some principle of liberalism. The Inuit pursue the idea of welfare capitalism, a principle of contemporary liberalism; where as the man in the photo pursues the idea of self-interest and competition, a principle of classical liberalism. Source two is an example as to why some aspect of collectivism is important in an individualist ideology. Source one is an example of collectivism pursuing some aspects of contemporary liberalism, and it works. The community is working together as a collective, but still expresses some principles of liberalism, which has some aspects of individualism. In the second source, we know that even though the man does not express any collective qualities, as classical liberalism develops into contemporary liberalism, the man will eventually be a part of a collective and help the bear not fall under the poverty line. <br />