unit 1 - Ir and sociology Flashcards
(39 cards)
Who was Karl Marx?
Karl Heinrich Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, and political theorist. He developed Marxism, which critiques capitalism and advocates for a classless, communist society.
What is capitalism?
A global economic system based on:
✔️ Private ownership of businesses & resources
✔️ Production for profit
✔️ Capitalists (business owners) hiring workers to create goods & services
✔️ Competition in the free market (supply & demand determines prices)
Who is known as the father of capitalism, and what idea did he write about?
Adam Smith (1723–1790) is the father of capitalism. In his book The Wealth of Nations (1776), he introduced the concept of the invisible hand, which suggests that the economy self-regulates through individual self-interest and market competition.
What are the disadvantages of capitalism?
❌ Wealth inequality (rich get richer, poor struggle)
❌ Market instability (economic booms & recessions)
❌ Monopolies (big corporations dominating industries)
❌ Worker exploitation (low wages, harsh conditions)
❌ Environmental destruction (profit-driven pollution)
How did communism emerge?
Communism arose as a response to the flaws of capitalism, such as:
🔹 Exploitation of workers
🔹 Extreme wealth gaps
🔹 Harsh working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. These issues led to workers’ revolutions and the rise of socialist and communist ideologies, aiming for fair wealth distribution and a classless society.
What are the key principles of communism?
Core ideas:
✔️ No private ownership of major industries (everything is owned by the community/state)
✔️ Classless society (no rich or poor)
✔️ Wealth redistribution (resources are shared equally)
✔️ No inherited wealth (everyone starts on equal footing)
✔️ Moneyless economy (people contribute based on their ability & receive based on their needs)
What is communism in one sentence?
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
What are the disadvantages of communism?
❌ Unrealistic Utopian ideal (perfect equality is hard to achieve)
❌ Corruption & dictatorship (historically led to oppressive regimes)
❌ Lack of motivation & innovation (if everyone is equal, there’s little incentive to work harder)
❌ Resource allocation issues (government control often leads to inefficiency)
Example: The Soviet Union (USSR) started as a communist state but became a dictatorship under Lenin & Stalin.
What is Marxism, and in which books was it published?
Marxism is a theory that argues that history is shaped by class struggles between the bourgeoisie (rich, business owners) and the proletariat (working class). The proletariat should overthrow capitalism and establish a socialist or communist society.
📚 Published in:
🔹 The Communist Manifesto (1848) – Marx & Engels’ revolutionary pamphlet
🔹 Das Kapital (1867) – Marx’s critique of capitalism
What was the Industrial Revolution?
A period of rapid technological, economic, and social change (late 18th – early 19th century). Shift from handmade goods to machine-based mass production. Started in Britain, later spread worldwide.
🚀 Key Inventions:
✔️ Steam engine (James Watt)
✔️ Spinning jenny (James Hargreaves)
✔️ Power loom (Edmund Cartwright)
What natural resources were essential for Britain’s industrial growth?
Coal and iron
Coal powered steam engines and iron was used for machines, railways, and buildings.
How did coal contribute to Britain’s industrial expansion?
Provided an inexpensive and reliable energy source
Allowed industries to scale up production rapidly.
What was the impact of Britain’s political stability on industrial growth?
Encouraged investment in technology and infrastructure
Strong property rights and low taxation fostered a thriving business environment.
What demographic changes in Britain supported industrialization?
Population growth and urbanization
Advances in agriculture led to fewer workers needed in rural areas, driving migration to cities.
What agricultural innovations supported industrial growth during the Agricultural Revolution?
Crop rotation, selective breeding, and new agricultural tools
Increased productivity and food supply, leading to workforce shifts.
How did Britain’s colonial empire contribute to industrialization?
Provided raw materials and new markets for British goods
Colonies supplied cotton, indigo, and other resources essential for manufacturing.
What role did Britain’s banking system play in industrial projects?
Enabled capital investment and funding for factories
Institutions like the Bank of England facilitated financial support for industrial ventures.
Fill in the blank: India became a major supplier of _______ for Britain’s textile industry.
raw cotton
What was the impact of British policies on India’s local industries post-Industrial Revolution?
Undermined local industries through high tariffs and competition
Traditional crafts were displaced by British manufactured goods.
How did the development of infrastructure in India primarily serve British interests?
Facilitated extraction of raw materials and distribution of British goods
Railways and ports were not designed to benefit local economies.
What was a significant economic consequence of British colonial policies in India?
Deindustrialization and creation of a dependent economy
India was forced to rely on British goods and lost its manufacturing base.
True or False: The focus on cash crops in India led to food shortages.
True
Farmers were coerced into growing cash crops for export instead of food.
What social impact did the destruction of local industries have in India?
Displacement of traditional societies and increased poverty
Many artisans were forced into urban migration in search of work.
What was the political impact of British colonial rule in India?
Centralized administration benefiting British industries
Policies ignored Indian needs and contributed to the rise of nationalism.
