Chapter 1 Flashcards
(53 cards)
1
Q
Point of view
A
An individual’s opinion based on personal experience.
2
Q
Perspective
A
The outlook of a particular group of people with the same age, culture, economics, faith, language, etc.
3
Q
Individualism
A
a way of thinking that values the freedom and worth of the individual over the security and harmony of the group.
4
Q
Collectivism
A
A way of thinking that values the goals of the group and the common good over the goals of individuals.
5
Q
Ideology
A
A system of ideas or principles that explain your thoughts on what the world is and how it should be.
- based on assumptions about human nature and society.
6
Q
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
A
- collectivist
- heavily influenced by the English Civil War which took place during his lifetime.
7
Q
English Civil War (1642-1651)
A
Armies loyal to King Charles I and Parliament faced off in three civil wars over disagreements about religious freedom and how the “three kingdoms” of England, Scotland and Ireland should be governed.
8
Q
Thomas Hobbes on Human Nature
A
- Believed humans are naturally selfish and greedy
9
Q
Thomas Hobbes on the Role of the Government
A
- If everyone is free, everyone is in danger.
- Need a strong and centralized government to have control.
- Government should have absolute authority over the people.
- Everyone should give up their freedom to one person (a monarch or a dictator) who was responsible for everyone’s security.
10
Q
Thomas Hobbes on Individual Rights and Freedoms
A
- Individuals should have limited rights and freedoms in order to avoid chaos and bloodshed.
11
Q
Did Thomas Hobbes value freedom or security?
A
- Security
- He didn’t think it was possible to have security and freedom
12
Q
Leviathan
A
- written by Thomas Hobbes
- published in 1651
- ideas about total submission and obedience to authority.
13
Q
Thomas Hobbes on the use of force
A
- Monarch or dictator must have absolute power in order to eliminate lawlessness. Resistance isn’t justified, and people must obey completely if they want order and security.
- no protests allowed
14
Q
John Locke (1632-1704)
A
- Individualist
- Known for his contributions to the development of liberalism and the concept of natural rights.
15
Q
John Locke on Human Nature
A
- People are rational, intelligent, and reasonable.
- Individuals can make rational decisions.
16
Q
John Locke on the Role of Government
A
- All individuals have natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property.
- Governments must protect natural rights, and individual rights.
- Governments should interfere as little as possible in citizens activities.
- People voluntarily gave up some of their freedoms for more rights.
- Locke believed in democracy
17
Q
The divine right of kings
A
- God had power
- the king was chosen by god to rule and therefore had absolute power.
18
Q
The Social Contract
A
the idea that individuals come together to form a government in order to protect their common interests and to provide for their mutual well-being. Under this contract, individuals give up some of their individual freedom in exchange for the protection and security provided by the government.
19
Q
Natural rights
A
Universal rights no ruler can take away.
20
Q
John Locke on the use of force
A
- All laws must represent the will of the majority
- Individuals have the right to revolt against a government that fails to protect their natural rights.
21
Q
John Locke Influences
A
- Influence on the Enlightment and the American and French Revolutions.
- Shaped present liberal democracy
22
Q
State of Nature
A
Condition of human beings and their society prior to the existence of an organized society.
23
Q
John Locke on the social contract
A
- he believed in the social contract
24
Q
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
A
- Swiss philosopher
- Interested in the common good
- Collectivist
25
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the Nature of Human Beings
- Nature of man is neither good nor bad but is shaped by the society he lives in.
- People are a product of their environment.
- People are inherently good and have been corrupted by civilization and society.
26
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on The Role of the Government
- People should give up some of their freedom for the General Will (common good).
- General will of the people was the absolute authority.
- He believed in a direct democracy, citizens should make the laws directly.
- Equality in law (Rule of law)
27
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the Nature of Society
- Humans are naturally free and are equal.
- Private property and ownership of land led to jealousy and corruption.
- No more monarchies
28
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the use of Force
- A government deserves to be obeyed only if its actions follow the general will of the people.
29
Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the State of Nature
- People were understanding and guided by their morals.
30
Personal Identity
The idea you have of yourself as a unique individual, traits you think distinguish you from others.
31
Collective Identity
An identity shared with other people as a member of a larger social group, such as linguistic, faith, cultural, or ethnic group.
32
Beliefs and Values
Beliefs and values are important aspects of identity. They influence behavior and choices.
33
Worldview
A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or group.
34
Identity
One’s identity is who or what one is.
- Identity may be influenced by things such as; gender, religion, language, or culture.
35
Totalitarianism
A totalitarian state is one in which a powerful central government exercises strict control over all aspects of citizens’ lives and does not allow political opposition.
36
Hegemony
The political control exerted by one group over others.
37
Multiculturalism
A multicultural society is made up of diverse cultural, religious, linguistic, or ethnic groups.
38
What are some characteristics of ideologies?
All ideologies contain a set of beliefs and values about similar things.
*The following are characteristics of ideology: the nature of human beings, the structure of society, interpretations of history, and visions for the future.
39
What are the themes of ideology?
Ideologies emphasize a particular theme.
*Typical themes include nation, class, race, environment and relationship to the land, gender, and religion.
40
Nation
A community of people usually occupying a defined territory, often politically independent.
41
Class
A division of society, such as the middle class, usually defined by income, wealth, privilege, or role in society.
42
Race
A grouping of human beings distinguished according to biological traits such as skin color.
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Environment and Relationship to Land
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Gender
Societal construct; the male or female sex.
45
Religion
Liberalism: promotes freedom of religion
46
Progressivism
An umbrella term for various ideologies that advocate moderate political and social reform through government action. Progressive ideologies generally support social justice and the rights of workers.
47
The Nature of Human Beings
- The belief that people are essentially good or bad.
- includes ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that humans are said to have naturally.
- fundamental to all ideologies
48
The Structure of Society
- Social structures are what bind us together as a society and help the society to function in an orderly manner.
- Social structures of a society reflect the beliefs and values of that society
49
Interpretations of History
- Events of the past influence present beliefs and values.
- Countries have ideological interpretations of their histories that affect the identities of their citizens.
50
Visions of the Future
A vision of what the world should be like in the future, guides the actions of people who embrace the ideology.
51
Pluralism in Canada
Other manifestations of pluralism in Canada include official bilingualism, Charter rights prohibiting discrimination, and the constitutional guarantees of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.
52
Adam Smith
-Scottish political economist
Individualist
Best known for his work “The Wealth of Nations” published in 1776, which is a foundational text in classical economics.
In it he described a system where individuals work for their own self-interest in a free-market system.
He though self-interest in a free market would lead to a stronger economy and would benefit more people in society.
“Father of capitalism”: because of his advocacy for a free market system and his beliefs in the benefits of economic competition.
Smith spent time in France with the physiocrats, and they influenced his thinking.
His ideas were radical at the time.
He disagreed with the existing mercantilist economic system, the state’s wealth increased but individuals’ wealth didn’t.
The invisible hand was his justification for self-interest as an economic motive.
By having every individual look after his or her own best interests, he or she unwittingly ends up helping everyone else, by providing jobs and cheaper products.
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Invisible Hand
The invisible hand was his justification for self-interest as an economic motive.
By having every individual look after his or her own best interests, he or she unwittingly ends up helping everyone else, by providing jobs and cheaper products.
