Social 30-1 Vocabulary Flashcards
(278 cards)
1
Q
Assumption
A
A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
2
Q
Beliefs and Values
A
Important aspects of identity that influence behaviour and choices. It guides people in their interactions with others and their worldview.
3
Q
Collective Identity
A
The identity that you share with other people as a member of a larger social group, such as lingustic, cultural, faither, or ethnic group.
4
Q
Collectivism
A
A current of thinking that values of goals of a group and the common good over the goals of an individual.
5
Q
(Adherence to) Collective Norms
A
Faithful observanece of the norms or standards imposed on members of a group. These norms can relate to conduct, values, and appearance.
6
Q
Common Good
A
The good of a community; something that benefits the public health, safety, and/or well-being of society as a whole.
7
Q
Communism
A
A system of society with property vested in the community and each member working for the common benefit according to their capacity and receiving according to their needs.
8
Q
Conservative
A
- Averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.
- Favoring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas.
9
Q
Aboriginal Healing Fund
A
An Indigenous-manged, Ottawa-based, non-profit organization with the mission to help Indigenous people build healing processes that addresses the legacy of abuses such as the residential school system.
10
Q
American Bill of Rights
A
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. It is based primarily on John Locke’s concept of “natural rights” for all individuals, including life, liberty, and the protection of property.
11
Q
Anti-Terrorism Act
A
A set of laws was passed in December 2001 in response to 9/11. It gave the Canadian government special powers, such as surveillance and detention, to deal with people carrying out activities thought to be associated with terrorism.
12
Q
Anti-War Movement
A
Organized campaigns against war. These movements can be pacifist in general and aimed at ending or restricting the military policy options, or they can be movements opposing specific military campaigns.
13
Q
Apartheid
A
A strict, legislated system of racial segregation and discrimination against black and other “coloured” South Africans set in place by the National Party of South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
14
Q
Autarky
A
Self-sufficiency or independence from other countries. For example, the German government worked to achieve autarky in the country’s economy.
15
Q
Authoritarianism
A
A form of government with authority vested in an elite group that may or may not rule in the interests of the people. Authoritarian political systems take many forms, including oligarchies, military dictatorships, ideological one-party states, and monarchies.
16
Q
Autonomy
A
A state of individual freedom from outside authority.
17
Q
Bank Run
A
A situation in which too many depositors try to withdraw their savings from a financial institution, endangering it with bankruptcy.
18
Q
Boycott
A
A refusal to do busniness with or associate with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest.
19
Q
Brinksmanship
A
International behaviour or foreign policy that takes a country to the brink of war; pushes one’s demands to the point of threatening military action. It usually refers to the Cuba Missile Crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union.
20
Q
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF)
A
A document entrenched in the Constituitional Act (1982) that lists the rights and freedoms guaranteed to Canadians.
21
Q
Capital
A
The money or other assets with which an entrepreneur starts in business; any tool or mechanism used in the creation of wealth.
22
Q
Laissez-Faire Capitalism
A
An economic system based on free markets, fair competition, wise consumers, and profit-motivated producers. Little to no government intervention is favoured.
23
Q
Censorship
A
The act of restricting freedoms of expression or freedom of access to ideas or works, usually by governments and usually to protect the preceived common good. It can be related to speech, writings, religious pracitices, art, or military matters.
24
Q
Chartism
A
A working-class movement in Britiain that focused on political and social reform from 1838 to 1848.
25
Citizen Advocacy
A movement to strengthen citizen action and motivation to participate in community and civic affairs; often focuses on bringing the marginalized back into the community.
26
Citizenship
Membership by birth or naturalization in a society, community, or country that enables definable rights or participation and protection, and certain responsibilities and duties to the society, community, or country.
26
Citizenship
Membership by birth or naturalization in a society, community, or country that enables definable rights or participation and protection, and certain responsibilities and duties to the society, community, or country.
27
Civil Disobedience
The refusal to obey a law because it is considered to be unjust; is a form of non-violent political protest.
28
Civility
Thoughtfulness about how our actions may affect others based on the recognition that human beings live together.
29
Civil Rights Movements
Popular movements, notably in the United States in the 1950s and the 1960s, that work to extend rights to marginalized members in society. Often these struggles aim not only for legal and civic rights, but also for respect, dignity, economic aid, and social equality for all.
30
Classical Conservatism
An ideology that says that government should represent the legacy of the past as well as the well-being of the present. Ideas of the ideology include: society should be in a hierarchical structure, leaders should be chosen by a limited electorate, leaders should be humanitarian, and the stability of society is all-important.
31
Class System
A division of society into different classes of people.
32
Climate Change
The change in global weather patterns.
33
Cold War
The political, economic, and social struggle between the Soviet Union (and its allies) and the United States (and its allies) that was conducted using propaganda, economic measures, and espionage rather than military means.
34
Collective Interest
The set of interests that members of a group have in common. The principle of collective interest states that while individual members may have individual interests, these interests are often better addressed by making them a common set of interests that the group can address together.
35
Collective Responsibility
Holding a whole group or collective responsible for the actions of individuals (or individual groups) within the group or collective.
36
Collectivization
An economic policy where all land is taken away from private owners and combined in large, collectively worked farms.
37
Command Economy
An economic system based on public (state) ownership of property in whcih government plannters decide which goods to produce, how to produce them, and how they should be distributed. Also known as a planned economy; usually found in communist states.
38
Competition
The act of an instance of competing or contending with others. It is seen as an incentive for individuals and groups to work harder and more efficiently.
39
Conscientious Objection
The refusal to preform military service on religious or moral grounds.
40
Consensus Decison-Making
A process whereby a groups of individuals share ideas, solutions, and concerns to find a resolution of a problem that all members of a group can accept.
41
Consumerism
Consumer spending; a preoccupation with consumer goods and their acqusition and display of things in order to denote status.
42
Containment
The American Cold War foreign policy of containing the spread of communism by establishing strategic allies around the world throough trade and military alliances.
43
Cooperation
Working together to the same end; a principle emphasized by collectivist ideologies.
44
Deficit
An excess of liabilities or expenditures over income or assests in a given period. Deficit spending by a government is spending that is financed by borrowing and may occur in order the "kick-start" a stagnant economy.
45
Democracy
A form of government which power is ultimately invested in the people.
46
Détente
A period of the Cold War during which the major powers tried to lessen the tensions between them through diplomacy, arms talks and reductions, and cultural exchanges.
47
Deterrence
The Cold War foreign policy of both major powers aiming to deter the strategic advances of the other through arms development and arms build-up. Deterrence depends on each combatant creating the perception that each is willing to resort to military confrontation.
47
Deterrence
The Cold War foreign policy of both major powers aiming to deter the strategic advances of the other through arms development and arms build-up. Deterrence depends on each combatant creating the perception that each is willing to resort to military confrontation.
48
Dictatorship of the Proletariat
The theoretical organization of a communist society in the early stage of communism. The centralized government of the state, which would be elected by the workers, would control all aspects of life.
49
Direct Democracy
A form of government in which the people participate in deciding issues directly. It operates on the belief that every citizen's voice is important and necessary for the orderly and efficient operation of society.
50
Dissent
The politcal act of disagreeing; the right to disagree.
51
Dissuasion
The French word for deterrence.
52
Draft
Conscription of compulsory military service.
53
Draft Dodger
Someone who avoids conscription by fleeing to another country.
54
Drought
A severe lack of precipitation in a certain area.
55
Dust Bowl
The regions in the Canadian Prairies and the Great Plains of the United States that were devastated by the drought and dust storms in the 1930s.
56
Economic Equality
A principle common to collectivist ideologies which can have different meanings depending on the person or ideology. Governments may try to foster economic equality though tax policies and by ensuring all people earn equal wages for work of similar value.
57
Economic Freedom
The freedom to buy and sell your labour, idea, or product to whomever you wish.
58
Egalitarianism
A political principle that holds that all people should be treated as equals and allowed equal civil, social, economic rights under the law.
59
Election Fraud
Changing the true results of an election by various means: voter intimidation, multiple voting, destruction of ballots, and/or changing of electoral boundaries to change the composition of a riding.
60
Emancipation
Freeing from restraint, especially legal, political, or social.
61
Emergencies Act
A set of laws that permits the Canadian government to invoke special measures to deal with emergencies. Emergencies can include those that affect public welfare and order, Canadian security, war, or other armed conflict. The legislation is designed to protect Canadians' fundamental rights and freedoms in times of crisis. It replaced the War Measures Act in 1988.
62
Enclosure
The act of enclosing. Land that had been held in common becomes the private property of an individual.
63
Enemy Aliens
Non-citizens who come from a enemy country.
64
Enfranchisement
Granting people the rights of citizens, especially the right to vote.
65
Enlightenment
An intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries when classical liberalism spread through Europe and changed some people's beliefs about religion, human beings, reason, and nature. Also called the Age of Reason.
66
Environmental Change
The changes in the natural world around us.
67
Environmentalism
A political and ethical ideology that focuses on protecting the natural environment and lessening the harmful effects that human activities have on the ecosystem.
68
Espionage
The practice of spying or using spies, especially to obtain secret information.
69
Expansionism
A country's foreign policy of acquiring additional territory through the violation of another country's sovereignty for reasons of defence, resources, markets, national pride, or perceived racial superiority.
70
Extremism
A term used by others to describe the beliefs and actions of those preceived to be outside of the accepted norms or political or social behaviour. It is a response adopted by those for whom ordinary politcal means of redressing preceived wrongs are deemed ineffective.
71
Facism
An extreme, right-wing, anti-democratic nationalist movement which led to totalitarian forms of governments in Germany and Italy from the 1920s to the 1940s.
72
Feminism
The belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The term also stands for the movement that advocates for these equalities.
73
Foreign Policy
The course of action taken by a country in its relations with other countries.
74
Free Market
A market that operates with limited government intervention. In a free-market economy, questions regarding production and marketing of goods and servinces are decided through the free interaction of producers and consumers.
75
Global Citizenship
Being a citizen of the world; a feeling of responsibility, beyond a country's borders, towards humanity.
76
Global Warming
An increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere and a indicator of climate change.
77
The Great Depression
An economic crisis that began in 1929 with the stock market crash and continued thoughout the 1930s. During this period, banks failed, factories closed, unemployment was high, and international trade declined.
78
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Gases from both natural and (primarily) human-made sources that are released into the earth's atmosphere and changes the way the atmosphere absorbs and emits radiation, which in turn affects the temperature of the earth.
79
Hot War
A traditional war whcih includes troops in direct conflict, as opposed to a cold war.
80
Humanist
Someone who believes in the supremacy of reason of individuals over faith and who has developed an interpretation of history and beliefs about human nature, the structure of society, and the purpose of life, based on reason and not religion.
81
Humanitarianism
Trying to improve the lives of other and to reduce their suffering through various means, including social reform and aid.
82
Human Rights
Also known as "natural rights," the rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. These rights are enshrined in Bills and Declarations of Rights in many countries including Canada and the United States.
83
Ideology
A set of principles or ideas that explains your world and your place within it, which is based on certain assumptions about human nature and society and provides an interpretation of the past, and explanation for the present, and a vision for the future.
84
Illiberal
Ideologies opposed to the values, beliefs, and principles of liberalism. Usually refers to undemocratic actions but may be found in democratic countries during times of crisis.
85
Income Disparity
Difference in earnings between the rich and the poor.
86
Indian Act
An act of Parliament first passed in 1867, since amended many times, dealing with the governance of reserves and the rights and benefits of registered individuals. Included under the act are those First Nations peoples (and their descendants) who signed treates or were otherwise registered in the act.
87
Individualism
A current of thinking that values the freedom and worth of the individual, sometimes over the security and harmony of the group.
88
Individual Rights and Freedoms
A key principle of individualism and an inportant feature of liberal democracies; examples include freedoms of religion, association, and the right to liberty, life, and the security of a person.
89
Industrialization
The stage of economic development during which the application of technology results in mass production and mass consumption within a country. This is accompanied by urbanization and changes in national living standards.
90
Inflation
An increase in the general price level of products, the cost of labour, and interest rates.
91
Internment Camp
Detention facilities used to confine political prisoners and people of specific nationality or minority groups.
92
Iron Curtain
A phrase coined by Winston Churchill in 1947 that refers to the barrier between Europe between self-governing, pro-democratic, pro-capitalist countries of the West and countries in pro-Soviet Eastern Europe under communist Soviet control.
93
Jus Sanguinis
The right by blood; one of the two key legal princples of citizenship.
94
Jus Soli
The right of the soil; one of the two key legal princples of citizenship.
95
"Just War"
An idea that a country is right to go to war for certain reasons, indlucing self-defence, defence of another country that is under attack, protection of innocent people, and punishment for serious crimes.
96
Kyoto Protocol/Kyoto Accord
An agreement reached at an international convention at which world leaders met to discuss climate change and create a plan for reducing greenhouse emissions.
97
Kyoto Targets
The reduced levels of greenhosue gas emissions for each country set by the Kyoto Protocol.
98
Labour Movement
The effort by organized labour to improve conditions for workers. Collective interest is the basis for the organized labour movement, which began during, and as a result of, the Industrial Revolution.
99
Labour Standards
Government-enforced rules and standards aimed a safe, clean working environments, and the protection of workers' rights to free association, collective bargaining, and freedom of discrimination.
100
Labour Unions
Associations of workers engaged to provide a united function who speak with management about their concerns. Their purpose is to provide a united voice that speaks for the rights of its members.
101
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)
A situation that would result from an unwinnable nuclear war. MAD ideally deters each side from entering into direct conflict.
101
Pandemic
Outbreaks of disease on a global scale.
101
New Deal
Economic policies put in place by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The polices gave government a more significant role in the regulation of the economy and in providing social "safety net" programs.
101
Philantropy
A cornern for, and an effort to improve, that state of humankind though donations of money, time, or talents.
101
No-Fly List
A list of people whom the Canadian government has identified as potentially posing an immediate threat to aviation security. People on the list are barred from flying on domestic flights in Canada.
101
Monopoly
Teh exclusive ownership or control of trade in a particular good or service.
101
Political Dissidents
People who disagree with the policies and actions of their government.
101
Laissez-Faire
Non-interference or non-intervention. Laissez-fiare economics theory supports free markets and an individual's right to own private property.
101
Naturalization
The process of applying for citizenship and becoming a citizen.
101
Nouveau Riche
From French, meaning "newly wealthy," factory owners, bankers, retailers, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals and entrepreneurs who gained their wealth during the Industrial Revolution. The term also generally refers to those people that are relatively new to wealth.
101
Limited Government
The principle of little government involvement in the affairs of an economy, in the belief that this results in a more efficient self-regulating markets.
101
Language Legislation
Laws regarding the official language(s) of a state.
101
Party Solidarity
In the Canadian system, a requirement that all party members vote with their party, except in rare instances when the party leadership explicitly frees them of this obligation (known as a free vote).
101
Perspective
The outlook of a particular group of people with the same age, culture, economics, faith, langauge, or other shared quality.
101
Moderate Socialism
A term used to distinguish the non-violent, non-revolutionary character of socialism from the communist idea of revolutionary change; sometimes referred to as democratic socialism.
101
Physiocrats
A group of Enlightenment phliosophers in France who criticized the prevailing economics of mercantilism. They believed that government should leave business entrepreneurs alone to follow their natural self-interest.
101
Neo-Conservatism
An ideology that emerged in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s as a reaction against modern liberal principles. Some aspects of neo-conservatism challenge moldern liberal principles and favour a return to particular values of classical liberalism. Other neo-conservative ideas challenge both classical and modern liberal principles and favour values identified as "family values" and traditional values, often resting on a religious foundation.
101
Pacificism
A commitment to peace and opposition of war.
101
Postmodernism
A movement of thought, art, and criticism that raises questions about the faith that moderns have in reason and in progress, and tries to get people to rethink their assumptions about the meaning of modern life.
101
One-Party State
A form of government where only one part forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candiates for election.
101
Non-Violence
A philosophy and strategy used to bring about political change. It may include civil disobedience, media campaigns, and targeted direct (non-violent) action.
101
Point of View
An individuals opinion, based on that individual's personal experiences and values.
101
McCarthyism
An anti-communist movement in the United States during the 1950s led by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy. It was intended to uncover and persecute those with preceived ties to communism within the US government, universities, and entertainment industries.
101
Oligarchy
A form of government in which political power rests with a small elite segment of society. An oligarchy often consists of politically powerful families who pass on their influence to their children.
101
Luddism
A protest movement in the early 1800s against industrialization and mechanization. Protestors broke into factories and destroyed machines. These protestors were skilled artisans that were replaced with cheap labour and machinery, leading to the protest movement. The demonstrators were called luddites.
101
Nisga'a Final Agreement
A land claims settlement signed in the 2000s between the Canadian and British Columbian governments and the Nisga'a First Nation. The agreement gives the Nisga'a control over their land, including the forestry and fishery resources contained in it.
101
Modern Industrial Complex
The structure of industry in Western society alluding to the partnership of industry and government.
101
Personal Identity
The idea you have of yourself as a unique individual; the collection of traits that you think of that distingushes you from other people.
101
✩ Liberalism
A collection of ideologies all committed to the principle of the dignity and freedom of the individual as the foundation for society. It has faith in human progress and tends to favour decentralized power, both in politcial and economic affairs, and respect for the sovereignty of the reasoning individual.
101
Non-Alignment
The position taken during the Cold War by those countries in the United Nations that did not form an alliance with either the United States or the Soviet Union. This group of countries became a third voting bloc within the UN and pushed for more aid to the developing world.
101
Mixed Economy
An economic system based on free-market principles but with some government intervention, usually to regulate industry, to moderate the boom-and-bust nature of the free market business cycle, and to offer social welfare programs. In some mixed economic systems, the government owns key industries.
101
Political Participation
Any number of ways a citizen can be involved in the politcal process, such as voting, running as candiate, supporting a candiate, attending constituency meetings, speaking out, demonstrating, protesting, and writing letters to elected representatives.
101
Mercantilism
An economic theory that says the aim for all economic pursuits should be to strenghten the power and wealth of the state.
101
Military Dictatorship
A form of government in which political power resides within the military leadership.
101
Liberation Movements
Military and political struggles of people for independence from countries that have colonized or otherwise oppressed them.
101
Separation of Powers
An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.
101
Nationalization
The transfer of a major branch of industry or commerce from private to state ownership or control.
101
Perestroika and Glasnost
The momentous changes that took place in the Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev are usually described by two Russian words: glasnost and perestroika. Glasnost, or “openness,” refers to the dramatic enlargement of individual freedom of expression in the political and social aspects of Eastern European life. Perestroika is usually translated as “restructuring,” in the context of economic renewal.
101
Traditional Economy
A system where goods production and distribution are driven by time-honored beliefs, customs, culture, and traditions.
101
F.A Hayek
Famous for defending classical liberalism and free-market capitalism. Influenced the economic policies of Great Britain and United States.
➼ Central planning leads to totalitarianism.
➼ Money needs to be regulated.
101
Margret Thatcher
First female PM in Britain, she is known for her economic policies of Thatcherism.
➼ Limits on public spending
➼ Reduced spending on social programs including education and housing.
➼ Deregulation of the financial sector
➼ Privatization of nationally-owned enterprises
➼ Increased interest rates
limits on printing money
legal restrictions on trade unions
➼ Lower income tax rates
➼ Military policy of deterrence
101
Milton Friedman
Believed that inflation was primarily the result of an excess supply of money produced by central banks. he felt that the amount of money issued by the central bank should be linked to economic indicators such as the rate of inflation.
➼ The government should not intervene in the economy.
➼There is a natural rate of unemployment.
➼ If governments intervene in the economy, consumers will change their behaviour.
101
Thomas Hobbes
➼ People are by nature selfish.
➼ In their natural state, people compete for everything, leading to war and conflict, so people agree to a social contract in which they give up their natural rights for the sake of their own security. Although there may be abuse of government power, that is the price of peace.
➼ A strong central government is needed to maintain order.
➼ The "state" (Leviathan) is an artificial being made up of men for their security.
➼ Heaven and Hell exist on Earth.
101
John Locke
➼ Known as the "Father of Liberalism."
➼ All people have natural rights to life, liberty, and ownership of property.
➼ People have a "social contract" or unwritten agreement to entrust power in a government to protect these natural rights. If a government fails to protect these rights, it loses its right to rule, and citizens are entitled to set up a new government.
101
Jean Jacques Rosseau
➼ People are naturally good but have been corrupted by society.
➼ People are naturally free and equal.
➼ The ownership of private property leads to jealousy and crime.
➼ There are distinct stages of child development, with appropriate education for each.
➼ All religions are equally worthy.
➼ There is no such thing as "original sin."
➼ The fruits of the earth belong to everyone.
101
Baron de Montesquieu
➼ He advocated an end to the class system that existed in France (nobility, clergy, and the "common man").
➼ Classification of systems of government [such as monarchies, in which power comes from honour; republics, in which power comes from virtue; and dictatorships (which he called "despotisms"), in which power comes from fear].
➼ The separation of political power (executive, legislative, judiciary).
➼ He recommended the end of slavery.
101
John Stuart Mill
➼ Everyone has the right to act as he or she pleases so long as the actions do not harm others (the harm principle).
➼ Free speech
➼ An end to slavery
➼ Equal rights for women
101
Adam Smith
➼ People should have the right to make their own decisions about economic activity.
➼ People working in self-interest lead to benefits for all society.
➼ Created the invisible hand theory.
101
Affirmative Action
The practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups regarded as disadvantaged or subject to discrimination.
101
Extraordinary Rendition
The practice of kidnapping or capturing people and sending them to countries where they face a high risk of torture or abuse in interrogations.
101
Inalienable Rights
A right that cannot be taken away.
101
Notwithstanding Clause
The notwithstanding clause — or Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms — gives provincial legislatures or Parliament the ability, through the passage of a law, to override certain portions of the charter for a five-year term.
101
Dual Citizenship
A person's legal status in which the person is at the one time recognized by more than one country under its nationality and citizenship law as a national or citizen of that country.
101
Marxism
A radical form of socailism, often called scientific socialism or communism to distinguish it from other socialist ideologies.
101
Modernism
A global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the twentieth century sought a new alignment with the experience and values of modern industrial life.
101
Private Property
Something that is owned by an individual, including real estate, other forms of physical possessions, and intellectual property. The right to protection of private property is a central principle of liberalism and is seen as a natural extension of the concept of the worth of each individual.
101
Pro-Democracy Movements
Movements or campaigns in favour of democracy.
101
Progressivism
A 1920s movement in the United States, usually associated with President Theodore Roosevelt. He reacted to the perceived abuses of laissez-faire capitalism by large corporations. They favoured a "square deal" for average citizens and used legislation of the marketplace to achieve this. It is a social and political reform movement that brought major chnages to American government.
101
Propaganda
Exaggeration and misinterpretation of information to rally support for a cause or an issue.
101
Proportional Representation
A system of government where the citizens vote directly for a party, and then representatives are assigned based on the amount of popular support obtained. This results in a fairely accurate representation within the legislature of the will of the people.
101
Protest
A statement of dissent; a public demonstration against the policies of a government or other organization.
101
Proxy Wars
Conflicts in which one superpower provides support to a group or a state that opposes the rival superpower. The support may consist of money, arms, and personnel.
101
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
A federal agency founded in 2006 to promote and protect the health and safety of Canadians with a focus on preventing chronic diseases and injuries, responding public health emergencies, and infectious disease outbreaks.
101
Public Property
Anything (i.e. land, buildings, or vehicles) not privately owned by individuals. Generally speaking, it is owned by the state or the community and managed according to the best interests of society.
101
Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
A statutory bill of rights and human rights code that was passed by the National Assembly of Quebec in 1975.
101
The Quiet Revolution
A time of rapid social, economic, and political modernization in Quebec; a revolution without violence, force, or direct conflict, aimed at enchancing opportunities for Francophone Quebecios within Quebec society.
101
Radical
Extreme; revolutionary. A change in a politcal regime often rejecting the politcal and economic traditions from the past.
101
Reactionary
Tending to oppose change. A change in a politcal regime often idealizes the past and accepts economic inequality.
101
Reaganomics
The economic policies of the Ronald Reagan US presidency, which advocated less government intervention in the economy and pro-industry, anti-labour, anti-regulation, and anti-environmental regulation and policies.
101
Red Paper
The name given to the National Indian Brotherhood's "Citizen's Plus" which outlined their objections to the policy changes recommended in the Trudeau government's White Paper.
101
Red Scare
An intense fear of communism that overcome the majority of the American population during and after the Second World War, influencing everything from movies to national security.
101
Renaissance
A period in European history from about 1350 to 1600 that was characterized by a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman culture, which included a renewed interest in humanism, the power of human reason and human creative potential, and the concept of the worth of the individual.
101
Representative Democracy
A form of government in which a small group of politicians are elected by a larger group of citizens. The people participate in deciding issues through elected officials who represent them and make laws in their interests.
101
Republican
A form of government where governing authority is vested in the hands of the representatives of the citizens and not a ruling monarch. Generally, a president is the head of state and head of government.
101
Residential School System
A school that provides dormitories for its students. As a part of Canada's program for the assimilation of Indigenous peoples under the original Indian Act of 1867. Indigenous children where removed from their communities, housed, and taught in church-run residential schools.
101
Respect for Law and Order
One of the responsibilities of citizens of a liberal democratic society, where people enjoy a high degree of individual rights and freedoms. Failure on the part of the population to demonstrate this type of respect could result in a state of chaos.
101
Rule of Law
A key principle in liberal democracies that states that every individual is equal before the law and all citizens are subject to the law.
101
Same-Sex Marriage
A marriage between two people of the same sex.
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Satellite State
A state that is formally independent but is dominated by another more powerful state. Satellite states of the former Soviet Union included Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and East Germany.
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Self-Interest
One's personal interest or advantage.
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Self-Reliance
The quality of people sole responsible for one's own well-being.
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Severe Acute Respiratory System (SARS)
A respiratory disease spread through close contact with an infected person.
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First-Past-The-Post
A electoral process whereby each constituency sends a single representative to the legislature; if there are more than two candidates competing in a constituency, the winner of the election may be supported by fewer than half the voters; also known as single-member constituency.
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Socialism
Aby ideology that contains the belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society, and not by private interests for the benefit of private investors and owners.
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Social Programs
Programs that affect human welfare in a sociey. They are meant to benefit citizens in areas such as education, health, and income support. Supporters base their support both on humanitarian principles and economic princples.
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Sphere of Influence
The territories and countries over which a powerful country dominates.
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Stagflation
An economic condition where stagnation and high inflation occur at the same time. In the 1970s, stagflation was caused by a rapid increase in the price of oil.
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Superpower
A state that has great power and influence. The term was used to describe the United States and the Soviet Union because of their great influence and military strengths.
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Terrorism
The policy of various ideological groups to disrupt the affairs of an enemy state or culture by the use of violent act against non-combatants in order to create debilitating terror and confusion.
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Totalitarianism
A government system that seeks complete conrol over the public and private lives of its citizens.
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Traditional Economy
An economic system usually practiced by a pre-industrialized society, where needs are met through hunting, fishing, agriculture, and where there tends to be a division of labour based on custom and tradition.
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Trickle-Down Economics
Government economic policies that include reduced income and busniess taxes, reduced regulation, and increased government spending on the military. It's the capitalist notion that when successful individuals accumulate wealth, it "trickles down" to those with less wealth.
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Supply-Side Economics
Used to describe a economic system that focuses on the supply of goods and services to consumers in the belief that economic growth can be most effectively created by lowering barriers for people to produce (supply) goods and services.
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Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. The declaration outlines the human rights of which all people are entitled.
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Universal Suffrage
The right of all members of society, once they reach the age of accountability, to fully participate politically. This participation begins with the right to vote.
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Urbanization
Anincrease to the number of people residing in cities and an extension of urban boundaries to include areas that were previously rural.
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USA PATRIOT Act (the Uniting and Strengthening American by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act)
Controversial legislation passed by the United States government in 2001 to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States. Some Americans argue that the act is a threat to personal liberties.
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Utopian Socialists
Humanitarians who advocated an end to the appaling conditions of the average worker in the industrial capitalist countries of the 19th century; people who believe it is possible to work to being about a better world and that obvious evils can be eradicated.
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War Measures Act
A Canadian law that gave the federal government cabinet emergency powers for the circumstances where it determines that the threat of war, invasion, or insurrection, real or apprehended, exists. it was replaced the Emergencies Act (1988).
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"War on Terror"
A military, political, and ideological conflict headed by the United States, which was a direct result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on that country.
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Water Shortage
A lack of access to clean and safe drinking water.
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Welfare Capitalism
Initiatives by industrialists to provide workers with non-monetary rewards to head off the growing demand for labour unions. It also refers to government programs that would provide social safety nets for the workers.
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Welfare State
A state in which the economy is capitalist, but the government uses policies that directly or indirectly modify the market forces in other to encure economic stability and a basic standard of living for its citizens, usually through social programs.
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White Paper
An official government document that outlines the government's policies. In 1969, the government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau issued a controversial White Paper that proposed to abolish treaties, the Department of Indian Affairs, and everything else that kept the First Nation and Inuit people distinct from the people of Canada.
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World Health Organization (WHO)
The directing and coordinating authority for heath within the United Nations system.
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Worldview
A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or group; the lens through the world is viewed by an individual or group; the overall perspective from which the world is interpreted.
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Nazism
The political principles of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, a totalitarian movement led by Adolf Hitler as head of the Nazi Party in Germany.
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Progressive Taxation
A progressive tax involves a tax rate that increases (or progresses) as taxable income increases. It imposes a lower tax rate on low-income earners and a higher tax rate on those with a higher income.
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Classical Liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics; and civil liberties under the rule of law, with special emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, economic freedom, political freedom and freedom of speech.
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Modern Liberalism
Modern liberalism opposes corporate monopolies, opposes cuts to the social safety net, and supports a role for government in reducing inequality, increasing diversity, providing access to education, ensuring healthcare, regulating economic activity, and protecting the natural environment.
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Divine Right of Kings
A political doctrine in defense of monarchical absolutism, which asserted that kings derived their authority from God and could not therefore be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament.
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Absolutism
A political system in which one ruler or leader has complete power and authority over a country.
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Great Law of Peace
The Iroquois Great Law of Peace was a constitution that established a democracy between five Iroquois-speaking tribes—the Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk.
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Invisible Hand
A metaphor for how, in a free market economy, self-interested individuals operate through a system of mutual interdependence. This interdependence incentivizes producers to make what is socially necessary, even though they may care only about their own well-being.
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Magna Carta
The first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law.
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Social Contract
An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection. Theories of a social contract became popular in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries among theorists such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as a means of explaining the origin of government and the obligations of subjects.
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Tryanny of the Majority
A situation that can result from a system of majority rule, wherein the majority group places its own interests above the interests of a minority group without consideration for the welfare or rights of the minority.
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Bourgeoisie
The capitalist class who own most of society's wealth and means of production (in the context of Marxism).
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Modernism
A global movement in society and culture that from the early decades of the twentieth century sought a new alignment with the experience and values of modern industrial life.
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Progressivism
A 1920s movement in the United States, usually associated with President Theodore Roosevelt. He reacted to the perceived abuses of laissez-faire capitalism by large corporations. They favoured a "square deal" for average citizens and used legislation of the marketplace to achieve this.
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Private Property
Something that is owned by an individual, including real estate, other forms of physical possessions, and intellectual property. The right to protection of private property is a central principle of liberalism and is seen as a natural extension of the concept of the worth of each individual.
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Pro-Democracy Movements
Movements or campaigns in favour of democracy.
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Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
A federal agency founded in 2006 to promote and protect the health and safety of Canadians with a focus on preventing chronic diseases and injuries, responding public health emergencies, and infectious disease outbreaks.
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Propaganda
Exaggeration and misinterpretation of information to rally support for a cause or an issue.
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Protest
A statement of dissent; a public demonstration against the policies of a government or other organization.
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Proxy Wars
Conflicts in which one superpower provides support to a group or a state that opposes the rival superpower. The support may consist of money, arms, and personnel.
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Monetary Policy
Refers to actions taken by the central bank of the country to control the supply of money.
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Negative & Positive Freedoms
Negative freedom is characterized by the absence of external constraints on personal decision making. Positive freedom is portrayed as the exposure to conditions necessary to pursue desired opportunities.
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Demand-Side Economics
The theory that consumer demand drives economic growth. Also called Keynesian economic theory (developed by British economist John Maynard Keynes) as a method to deal with the Great Depression. During a recession, the government must put spend more money on social welfare and decrease taxes, therefore stimulating more consumer demand to kickstart the economy. The deficit created from the recessionary period would be curtailed during the inflationary period. During the inflationary period, the government must raise taxes and spend less on social welfare. Consumers would be less likely to spend money, "cooling down" the inflation in the economy.
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Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms
A statutory bill of rights and human rights code that was passed by the National Assembly of Quebec in 1975.
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Business Cycle
Are comprised of concerted cyclical upswings and downswings in the broad measures of economic activity—output, employment, income, and sales.
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Proletariat
Workers or working-class people, regarded collectively (used with reference to Marxism).
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Public Property
Anything (i.e. land, buildings, or vehicles) not provately owned by individuals. Generally speaking, it is owned by the state or the community and managed according to the best interests of society.
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Anarchy
The absence of government.
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Marxism
A radical form of socailism, often called scientific socialism or communism to distinguish it from other socialist ideologies.
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Proporational Representation
A system of government where the xitizens vote directly for a party, and then representatives are assigned based on the amount of popular support obtained. This results in a fairely accurate representation within the legislature of the will of the people.
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Liberty
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.
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Fiscal Policy
Refers to the direct taxing and spending functions of governments.
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Assimilation
The process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society. The process involves taking on the traits of the dominant culture to such a degree that the assimilating group becomes socially indistinguishable from other members of the society.
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Assimilation
The process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society. The process involves taking on the traits of the dominant culture to such a degree that the assimilating group becomes socially indistinguishable from other members of the society.
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Checks and Balances
A system that provides each branch of government with individual powers to check the other branches and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
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Constitutional Monarchy
A system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government.
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Electoral College
The process by which the United States elects the President.
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Executive Branch
Is responsible for proposing and executing laws. They also run each ministry or department that is responsible for providing services to the people.
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Judicial Branch
Enforces the law upon every individual equally, without discrimination.
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The Senate (Upper House of the Legislative Branch)
Based on classical conservative notion of tradition and elitism, it was based on the British House of Lords, believing that the 'masses' or the common people in the lower House of Commons needed a check or oversight regarding their proposed legislation. Canada's Senate remains appointed by the Head of State, the Governor General. Today, the Prime Minister selects citizens to be Senators who are then sworn in by the Governor General.
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Head of State
The Monarch of Canada is the head of state. The British Queen cannot open Canada's Senate or sign every bill into law, she has a representative, which is the Governor General. This person is appointed by the Queen, usually on the request of the Prime Minister and they usually serve 6 years.
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The House of Commons (Lower House of the Legislative Branch)
The political party that wins the most riding elections, which translates directly to seats in the House of Commons, gets to be the governing party. This means their party leader becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Minister then selects their cabinet ministers who will run government departments. Each of these ministers must also be elected to the House of Commons. This ensures direct accountability of the executive branch inside the legislative branch.
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Head of Government
The Prime Minister.
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Lobbyist
A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.
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No-Confidence Vote
A vote showing that a majority does not support the policy of a leader or governing body.
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Parliamentary Democracy
Parliamentary government is a system of government in which the prime minister and his or her cabinet are accountable to any majority of the members of parliament and can be voted out of office by the latter.
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Party Solidarity
Members of the same political party must vote together on a issue; there is no individual vote.
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Plebiscite or Referendum
The direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question such as a change in the constitution.
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Representation by Population
A political system in which seats in a legislature are allocated on the basis of population. It upholds a basic principle of parliamentary democracy that all votes should be counted equally.
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Bilateral Agreement
Is a contract in which both parties exchange promises to perform. For example, SALT I and SALT II.
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Multilateral Agreement
A contract in which multiple parties exchange promises to preform.
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Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
Negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union that were aimed at curtailing the manufacture of strategic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The first agreements, known as SALT I and SALT II, were signed by the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1972 and 1979, respectively, and were intended to restrain the arms race in strategic (long-range or intercontinental) ballistic missiles armed with nuclear weapons
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Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START)
Arms control negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union (and, later, Russia) that were aimed at reducing those two countries’ arsenals of nuclear warheads and of the missiles and bombers capable of delivering such weapons.
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Domino Theory
A Cold War policy that suggested a communist government in one nation would quickly lead to communist takeovers in neighboring states, each falling like a row of dominos.
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Arms Race
A pattern of competitive acquisition of military capability between two or more countries. The term is often used quite loosely to refer to any military buildup or spending increases by a group of countries.
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Yalta Conference
At Yalta, Roosevelt and Churchill discussed with Stalin the conditions under which the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan and all three agreed that, in exchange for potentially crucial Soviet participation in the Pacific theater, the Soviets would be granted a sphere of influence in Manchuria following Japan’s surrender.
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Postdam Conference
The Big Three—Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (replaced on July 26 by Prime Minister Clement Attlee), and U.S. President Harry Truman—met in Potsdam, Germany, to negotiate terms for the end of World War II. Germany was divided into four occupied zones: Great Britain in the northwest, France in the southwest, the United States in the south and the Soviet Union in the east. Berlin, the capital city situated in Soviet territory, was also divided into four occupied zones.
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Iran Hostage Crisis
International crisis (1979–81) in which militants in Iran seized 66 American citizens at the U.S. embassy in Tehrān and held 52 of them hostage for more than a year.
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Truman Doctrine
President Harry S. Truman established that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces. The Truman Doctrine effectively reoriented U.S. foreign policy, away from its usual stance of withdrawal from regional conflicts not directly involving the United States, to one of possible intervention in far away conflicts.
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NSC-68
A secret National Security Paper outlining a variety of possible courses of action, including a return to isolationism; war; continued diplomatic efforts to negotiate with the Soviets; or “the rapid building up of the political, economic, and military strength of the free world.” This last approach would allow the United States to attain sufficient strength to deter Soviet aggression. In the event that an armed conflict with the Communist bloc did arise, the United States could then successfully defend its territory and overseas interests.
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The Korean War
One of the most significant impacts of the containment policy of the U.S. government, aimed at preventing the spread of communism, and was one of the major proxy wars of the Cold War.
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The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a long conflict in Southeast Asia. It began in 1954, after the country of Vietnam was split into two parts, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam wanted to reunite the country under Communism, its political and economic system. South Vietnam fought to keep this from happening.
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The Marshall Plan
On April 3, 1948, President Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act of 1948. Named for Secretary of State George Marshall, who in 1947 proposed that the United States provide economic assistance to restore the economic infrastructure of postwar Europe.
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Warsaw Pact
A collective defence treaty established by the Soviet Union and seven other Soviet satellite states in Central and Eastern Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania (Albania withdrew in 1968).
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Berlin Wall
Built by the German Democratic Republic during the Cold War to prevent its population from escaping Soviet-controlled East Berlin to West Berlin, which was controlled by the major Western Allies. It divided the city of Berlin into two physically and ideologically contrasting zones.
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The Nixon Doctrine
A foreign policy of the U.S. government, announced by U.S. Pres. Richard Nixon in 1969, whereby the United States would thereafter support allies facing military threats with economic and military aid rather than with ground troops.
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Brezhnev Doctrine
A foreign policy put forth by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1968, calling on the Soviet Union to intervene—including militarily—in countries where socialist rule was under threat.
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Prague Spring
A brief period of economic and political liberalization in Czechoslovakia under Alexander Dubček that began in January 1968 and effectively ended on August 20, 1968, when Soviet forces invaded the country.
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Sino-Soviet Split
A breakdown in relations and communications between the world's two largest communist powers: the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.
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Helsinki Accords
An effort to reduce tension between the Soviet and Western blocs by securing their common acceptance of the post-World War II status quo in Europe. The accords were signed by all the countries of Europe (except Albania, which became a signatory in September 1991) and by the United States and Canada.
