Chapter 9: Alternative Political Philosophies and Ideologies

Chapter Summary

In chapter 9, we address some challenges to the dominant political ideologies in the democratic and communist worlds. We turn to a past challenge, fascism, and its most virulent form, Nazism. We also consider a present ideological challenge in what has been called the developing world.

Fascism is the general term used to describe a totalitarian or authoritarian political ideology characterized by dictatorial leadership, an oppressive one-party system, glorification of the nation-state and its people, aggressive militarism, and political, economic, and social policies designed (allegedly) to overcome the weaknesses of liberal democracy, the threat of anarchy, and the fear of communism.

Why study fascism, and the Nazi variety of fascism? There are several reasons. First, Nazism threatened to annihilate the very fabric of modern civilization. For twelve nightmarish years, German power, guided by the insane Nazi ideology, was a mortal enemy of peace, social and political justice, human rights, economic well-being, and human decency. Second, Nazism posed a specific challenge to liberal democracy, democratic socialism, and communism. Third, a study of Nazism may shed light on neofascism and right-wing authoritarianism. Today, Germany and Italy have democratic and constitutional governments. However, repressive regimes exist throughout the Middle East, Asia, and in some African nations. Thus, we must be alert to the possibility of new varieties of fascism appearing.

In a far different light, we must study the ideology of the developing world, which comprises roughly 140 Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and Latin American countries. Of course, it is hard to make generalizations about such a varied community of countries. Nevertheless, we can say that most of these countries have fairly short histories as independent states. Furthermore, many, if not most, have experienced uneven economic progress, with a high percentage suffering severe economic problems. This is not to say that their problems have been uniformly experienced or that progress has not been made in rectifying them. Some regions of the developing world, particularly in Latin America and Asia, have made enormous progress in achieving economic growth and securing a degree of political stability.

It is important to investigate the ideology of the developing world for a number of reasons. First, for as long as ten to fifteen years after the end of World War II, political scientists tended to ignore developing countries. Gaining a better understanding of the developing world is important in overcoming the dangers of ignorance and ethnocentrism. Second, in an age of increasing interdependence or globalization, the developing world’s struggles for peace, justice, prosperity, and political stability are now of vital interest to the countries of the developed world. Finally, it is important to discover how the developing world understands the good political life, and how this understanding relates to liberal democracy, communism, and democratic socialism.

What are the key operative ideals of the developing world? They include a strong desire for national freedom, independence, and unity to end the colonial legacy many of these nations have faced; economic development, to foster more balanced economies; social advancement, which includes calls for educational, medical, and cultural revolution to overcome illiteracy and disease; and political democracy suitable for a developing state, which often means strong leaders, a dominant party, and some role for the military.

Chapter 9 concludes with a discussion of political futurists---students of politics who see failings in many of the ideologies that dominate politics today and call for creative breakthroughs in our political thinking to help overcome problems of war, poverty, and the ongoing ecological degradation of the planet.

Chapter Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to...

• provide a general definition of fascism.
• explain the main ideals of Nazism and the sources of those ideals.
• discuss the developing world and the ideologies that are used by its leaders.
• define political futurists and explain why they are important.

Suggested Readings

The following readings supplement those suggested in chapter 9 of the text.

Calvert, Peter. Politics and Society in the Developing World. New York: Longman, 2001.

Cammack, Paul, William Tordoff, and David Pool. Third World Politics: A Comparative Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.

Fischer, Klaus P. Nazi Germany: A New History. New York: Continuum, 1995.

Handelman, Howard. The Challenge of Third World Development. 3d ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 2002.

Holmes, Stephen. The Anatomy of Antiliberalism. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1993.

Kershaw, Ian. Hitler. 2 vols. New York: Norton, 1999, 2000.

Rosenbaum, Ron. Explaining Hitler. New York: Harper, 1998.

Annotated Links

The following links will help you explore the themes of chapter 9 on the Web.

Remember.org

It is important that we not forget the personal devastations that occurred during the Holocaust. The Remember.org Web site shares art, discussions, photos, poems, and facts to help preserve the powerful memories of the Holocaust. This site includes pages devoted to witnesses that present numerous personal histories along with original letters and speeches. The education section of this site offers a variety of resources, including a guide to Nazi fascism and the modern totalitarian state.

Italian Life Under Fascism

The subject of this “virtual” museum, created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is Italian life under fascism. This Web site features an introduction to fascism, including a discussion of its implications for families, youths, women, and different races. Numerous posters and pictures of newspapers adorn the site--see, in particular, the page devoted to fascist propaganda. Also discussed on the site are the opposition to fascism, the end of fascism, and the Paduan trial of the Banda Carità.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP is a partnership that fights poverty in developing nations. UNDP’s Web site provides access to the widely-cited annual Human Development Report and explains the organization’s current development policies. A virtual museum showcases sustainable development through information, a video presentation, and online discussion. This Web site is an excellent source of information on the development status of many nations worldwide.

Harvard University's Center for International Development (CID)

The Center for International Development at Harvard University is a cross-disciplinary center focused on international sustainable development. The Center’s Web site highlights people, events, and programs concerned with the developing world. In addition, the resource and data sections make the center an excellent reference. Topics of the “special projects” on the site include highly indebted countries and AIDS in the developing world.

The Millennium Project

Students interested in global future studies should check out this Web site for the Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University. Visitors to this site can read the annual State of the Future report and numerous studies of long-range global concerns. Specifically, the site features global scenarios for the years 2025, 2050, and 3000.