Pragmatic Liberalism as an Ideology

In the social sciences there are two terms of ideology, that ideology is functionally and structurally. Ideology is functionally defined as a set of ideas about the common good, or about society and the state is considered the most good, while ideology is structurally defined as a system of justification, such as political ideas and formulas for each policy and the actions taken by the authorities. According to the structural approach to the conflict, which has a class of its own material production facilities have the means of mental production, such as ideas, culture and law. Ideas of the ruling class at any time and anywhere is the dominant idea. Ideas, culture, law and so consciously or not is a justification for the material interests of the parties has a dominant idea. The system is called ideological justification.

In the Indonesian language, ideology is often referred to as, Äúdasar state, Äù or, Äúfalsafah state, Äù, in Malaysia is called, Aurukun state, Äù. Because it gives validation to the government, confirmed the status quo ideology. But ideology can also be used by the other party (the rebels, the opposition or the party of reform) in order to blame the government, attacked the policy of the government to change the status quo. Even if the government can oppress citizens by appeal, Äùhak divine king, Äù or, Äùkehendak history, Äù, but others can justify their violent actions by relying on the principle, fundamental rights Äùhak, Äù or, Äùkehendak the power, Äù. Considered to be laden with ideological interests of the working class does not can not be used to oppose the bourgeois state power, but also to legitimize dictatorial power of the working class. Ideology in the sense that the functional can be briefly described with the following example. In the United States, ensuring national security means a significant increase in weapons production industries also benefit the weapon. Increased agricultural growth means an increase in the production of fertilizers and other chemicals, which means the profitable industries of fertilizers and chemicals. For the sake of national stability in developing countries often means reducing the political freedom of citizens. Ideology in the sense of functional typology classified in two types, namely doctrinaire ideology and the ideology of pragmatism.

An ideology can be classified if the doctrinal teachings embodied in the ideology was formulated in a systematic and detailed with clear, indoctrinated to the citizens of the community, and its implementation is closely monitored by party officials or government officials. Usually the value system or ideology that is allowed to live in a society like this is a doctrinaire ideology is. However, if the teachings contained in this ideology is not formulated in a systematic and detailed, but is formulated in general (principles only), then ideology is classified as a pragmatic ideology. In this case, ideology was not indoctrinated, but functionally socialized through family life, education systems, economic systems, political systems and religious life. On that basis, implementation is not monitored by the party or government officials, but by institutional arrangements. That is, anyone who does not conform to the values ​​embodied in the ideology will not be more equitable. Liberalism is an example of pragmatic ideology. Usually no one is allowed to evolve ideology in this society, but there is a dominant one.

Pragmatic liberalism as an ideology emerged in medieval European society. European society at that time largely divided into two, namely the aristocracy and the peasants. The aristocrats are allowed to own land, feudal class is also a master of political and economic processes, while the resident farmers as cultivators of land owned by the patron, who must pay taxes and contribute energy to the patron. Even in some places in Europe, farmers are not allowed to move to the desired place without the consent of the patron (nobles). As a result, they are nothing more than a patron’s personal property. In contrast, the welfare of the tenants should be borne by the patron. Industry is managed in the form of the guilds are rigorously set, how the goods are produced, how the number and distribution. Activities were monopolized by the aristocracy. That is, ownership of land by the nobility, the privileges of the church, the political role of the king and the nobility, and the power of the guilds in the economy are the forms of institutionalized domination over the individual. In the context of community development that emerged in the industry and commerce on a large scale, after the discovery of several new technologies. To manage the industry and trade in a massive scale is clearly necessary that workers are free and in large numbers, room to move freely, high mobility and freedom to be creative. New needs that knock on the rules that applied institutionally by the feudal class. Which helps the new economy class regardless of difficulties it is the emergence of liberalism.

Liberalism is not created by traders and industry groups, but was created by a group of intellectual unrest driven by scientific and artistic common in those days. Intellectual restlessness was welcomed by merchants and industry groups, even it is used to justify political demands which limit the power of the nobility, the church and the guilds. They are not intended solely to be able to undertake economic activities freely, but also seek profit maximization. Society is best (the best regime), according to liberalism is allowing individuals to develop individual abilities fully. In a good society, all individuals should be able to develop the minds and talents. This requires the individual to be responsible for his actions whether it is something or someone for him. A person acting on its own responsibility to develop the ability to act. According to this assumption of liberalism, John Stuart Mill argued that more supportive of government based on liberal democracy. She said that the main purpose of politics is to encourage every member of society to be responsible and mature. This can only happen manakalah them participate in making decisions concerning their lives. Therefore, although a king is wise and kind, may be able to make better decisions on behalf of the people than the people themselves, somehow democracy is much better because in a democracy the people make their own decisions for themselves, regardless of whether The bad decision. Thus, the characteristics of liberal ideology as follows:

    First, democracy is a better form of government.
    Second, members of the public have full intellectual freedom, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
    Third, the government has only a limited set of community life. Decisions made just a little to the people so that people can learn to make decisions for yourself.
    Fourth, the power of a person against another person is a bad thing. Therefore, the government is run in such a way that the abuse of power can be prevented. In short, the power of things that tend to be suspected of being abused, and therefore, as far as possible be limited.
    Fifth, a society where every individual is said to be happy or largely happy individual. Although society as a whole happy, happiness most individuals do not necessarily maximal. Thus, the goodness of a society or regime is measured by how high indivivu succeeded in developing the abilities and talents. The ideology of liberalism was embraced in Britain and its colonies including the United States.