midterm- unit 1 and 2 Flashcards
(25 cards)
name some key values of liberalism
- individual rights and freedoms
- self- interest
- the rule of law
- economic freedom
- private property
what is an ideology
a set of beliefs and values
- include: how the world works, how we should live together as a society, and what society should become in the future
place individualism and collectivism on a spectrum (left vs right)
collectivism left
individualism right
qualities of modern liberalism
- equality of opportunity for all individuals
- freedoms and right favor the individual
- gov intervenes to make sure the most vulnerable people are cared for
qualities of classical liberalism
- protect freedoms of individuals in economic affairs
- max rights and freedoms for certain individuals (entrepreneurs)
- gov intervention (rules, regulations, social programs) are kept to a minimum
what is classical liberalism? How did it emerge? What does it stress the importance of?
- an ideology that emerged from thinkers like John Locke and Adam Smith in the enlightenment.
it stresses the importance of human reason as the guide for human action
Classic liberalism came from two different traditions (english and french)
Name some of these thinkers
English: John Locke, Adam Smith
French: Jean Jacques- Rousseau
John Locke
supported a limited, constitutional gov
- equal under rule of law & individuals have natural rights
- private property = individual liberty
Adam Smith
Wrote the Wealth of Nations
- gov must NOT intervene in man’s affairs (laissez faire)
- through competition and self interest, the economy is guided by an “invisible hand”: promotes well being of society
- Combined economic theory with Locke’s ideas of society and democracy
John Stuart Mill
Wrote: On Liberty
- sole purpose of gov is self protection: preserve rule of law, protect private property, ensure security of the individual
- individual freedom, choice, and free speech essential
Jean Jacques Rousseau
- his social contract is an alternative origin of liberalism
- french liberals asked how to reconcile order and liberty in the wake of the revolution
- more collectivist than individualist
- “man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains”
basic ideas of capitalism
- all individuals guided by self interest: individualism
- competition: keeps prices low and quality high- the people choose what to buy and sell
- economic decision making is decentralized: not run by gov
- profit is the reward to do one’s best
- resources and means of production privately owned
- free trade
the period of industrialization had a huge impact on the class system. Which two classes did it produce?
1) a wealthy middle class (bourgeois)
2) a working class (proletariat)
- previously, society was dominated by land-owning aristocrats
Result of gov not playing a role in the economy
- led to abuses in working conditions and increased cost of living (no regulations)
- overall, social and economical impacts were beneficial to a few, but devastating to many
______ developed to replace capitalism with a less abusive system
socialism
why did the socialists become unhappy with classical liberalism?
- unfair distribution of wealth: wide gap between the rich and the poor
- poor working conditions: long working hours and abuse of child labor
key values of socialism
- achieved by evolution: peaceful & legal gaining of control
- democratic: power by consent of the governed
- nationalism of major industries only
Utopian Socialism and a key utopian socialist
- Robert Owen
- wanted to improve working conditions
- wanted to reform current system, not overthrow it
- believed: capitalists would voluntarily discard private ownership and profit motive once convinced of the merit of utopian socialism
Marxism
Karl Marx = “father of communism”
Wrote: Communist Manifesto with Fredrich Engles
- also wrote Das Kapital (criticism of capitalism)
- believed capitalism would destroy itself beginning in industrial countries (workers rise up)
- ultimate society is classless with no gov
a type of socialism that developed in the late 1800’s
believes that:
- classical liberalism neglects the collective interests of society
- political, economic, and social change can be achieved without revolution
- society should embrace some liberal values
- support social programs and gov control of key industries
democratic socialism
Gradually, classical liberalism was tempered by gov interventions in social, economic, and cultural life. Give examples of this
1) Labor unions formed: gained workers collective power
2) The Welfare State was introduced: liberal govs began to provide help for those in need
3) Feminists fought for equal political & economic rights
4) Human Rights became an international focus
two ideologies rejecting liberalism
communism and fascism
authoritarian political systems definition
forms of gov where a small group or one person hold all the power. People cannot legitimately remove the power of those in authority.
- some argue that authoritarianism undermines individual rights & goals in favor of group goals
who holds power in a military dictatorship and example
one person
eg right now: sudan
