Unit 2

Question 1

Conservatism

Answer 1

A perspective or ideology that emphasizes the values of order, stability, respect for authority, and tradition, based on a view that humans are inherently imperfect, with a limited capacity to reason

Question 2

Economic Conservatism

Answer 2

This refers to an ideology that emphasizes limited government intervention in the economy, free markets, and individual economic freedom. Generally in support of low taxes, deregulation, and the promotion of private enterprise.

Question 3

Moderate Conservatism

Answer 3

This represents a more centrist or pragmatic approach within the conservative political spectrum. There is usually advocacy for balance between traditional values and progressive reforms. Central idea is incremental change.

Question 4

Neo-Conservatism

Answer 4

Neo-conservatism, in a nutshell, is a political ideology characterized by a blend of conservative principles and a proactive approach to foreign policy. It often advocates for a robust military presence, promotes democracy promotion, and prioritizes national interests.

Question 5

Reactionary Conservatism

Answer 5

This ideology seeks to restore traditional social hierarchies, values, and institutions by opposing social and political changes associated with liberalism or other progressive movements.

Question 6

Corporate State

Answer 6

A system associated with fascist Italy in which business and labor work harmoniously to achieve goals established by the state to advance the good of the nation.

Question 7

Fascism

Answer 7

An ideology that combines an aggressive form of nationalism with a strong belief in the naturalness of inequality and opposition to both liberal democracy and communism.

Question 8

Neo-Fascism

Answer 8

Refers to contemporary movements or ideologies that draw inspiration from historical fascist movements of the 20th century. These ideologies promote authoritarianism, ultranationalism, xenophobia, racism, and the suppression of dissent.

Question 9

General Will

Answer 9

The concept of the general will, associated with political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, refers to the collective will or common interest of a community. It suggests that in a just society, political decisions should reflect the general will rather than the interests of specific groups or individuals.

Question 10

The Harm Principle

Answer 10

Purposed by John Stuart Mill, and it states that the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over individuals is to prevent harm to others. It argues for individual freedom as long as ones actions do not cause harm to others.

Question 11

Historic Materialism

Answer 11

Historical materialism is a concept developed by Karl Marx, positing that social and economic structures shape human history. It asserts that material conditions, such as technology, production, and class relations, drive societal changes.

Question 12

Ideology

Answer 12

An ideology is a set of beliefs, values, or principles that form the basis of a political, economic, or social system. It often provides a framework for understanding the world and guides individuals or groups in their actions and decision-making.

Question 13

Political Ideology

Answer 13

A political ideology is a set of beliefs, values, and principles that guide political thought and action. It is a framework for understanding and addressing societal issues, as well as shaping views of governance, economics, social policies, and other aspects of politics.

Question 14

Worldview Ideology

Answer 14

Refers to a system of culturally embedded beliefs and philosophically derived ideas that provide individuals and groups with a generally comprehensive, cohesive, coherent, and internally consistent basis for perceiving and understanding social “reality”. EX: Socialism, liberalism

Question 15

Classical Liberalism

Answer 15

A form of liberalism that views government as having the limited purposes of protecting life, liberty, and property.

Question 16

Laissez-Faire Liberalism

Answer 16

A system in which privately owned businesses, workers, and consumers freely interact in the marketplace without government interference

Question 17

Reform Liberalism

Answer 17

A version of liberalism that combines support for individual freedom with a belief that government action may be needed to help remove obstacles to individual development.

Question 18

Neo LIberalism

Answer 18

A perspective based on a strong belief in the free marketplace and opposition to government intervention in the economy.

Question 19

Liberalism

Answer 19

The ideology of liberalism emphasizes the desirability of a high level of individual freedom, based on a belief in the inherent dignity and worth of each individual. Individuals are assumed to be capable of using reason and taking rational actions in pursuit of their interests

Question 20

Marxism

Answer 20

Marxism is a social, economic, and political theory developed by Karl Marx. It analyzes class relations and advocates for the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism, the establishment of classes society, and the eventual end of the exploitation of labor.

Question 21

Nazism

Answer 21

A version of fascism associated with Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader of Germany, emphasizing racial conflict and the superiority of the “Aryan race.”

Question 22

Neo-Nazism

Answer 22

Refers to contemporary movements of ideologies that seek to revive or promote the ideals and beliefs of Nazism. This involves extreme nationalism, racism, and xenophobia.

Question 23

Populism

Answer 23

This is a political approach that appeals to the interests and concerns of ordinary people against an elite or establishment. Populist movements often employ simplistic rhetoric, anti-establishment sentiment, and a focus on the grievances of the common people.

Question 24

New Right

Answer 24

A perspective that combines, in various ways, the promotion of free-market capitalism and limited government and traditional cultural and moral values.

Question 25

Christian Right

Answer 25

This refers to a political movement that combines conservative political ideologies with Christian religious values. It often advocates for policies aligned with conservative Christian beliefs such as opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and secularism.

Question 26

Social Darwinism

Answer 26

Social Darwinism is a 19th and early 20th-century ideology applying Charles Darwin’s evolutionary principles to human societies. It posits that societal success reflects the “survival of the fittest,” justifying inequalities and laissez-faire capitalism. Advocates argue that superior individuals naturally rise to power

Question 27

Socialism

Answer 27

An ideological perspective based on the view that human beings are basically social in nature and that the capitalist system undermines the co-operative and community-oriented nature of humanity. Socialism advocates the establishment of an egalitarian society.

Question 28

Democratic Socialism

Answer 28

The perspective that socialism should be achieved by democratic rather than revolutionary means and that a socialist society should be democratic in nature with political rights and freedoms respected.

Question 29

Utopian Socialism

Answer 29

Based off Thomas More’s book Utopia. More imagined a society in which all things are owned in common, money is no longer used, and everyone is free to take from the common storehouses all the necessities that are needed to live a meaningful life. In such a society, people would be concerned with the “common affairs” of the society, rather than worry about earning a livelihood

Question 30

Communism

Answer 30

A system in which private property has been replaced by collective or communal ownership and everyone is free to take from society what they need.

Question 31

Corporatist Fascism

Answer 31

A Government and economic system that combines elements of both corporatism and fascism.

Corporatism is an economic and political ideology that advocates for organizing society into hierarchical groups, or corporations, representing various interest groups such as labor, business, and government.

Fascism, on the other hand, is a far-right political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, strong authoritarian control, and often extreme nationalism.

Question 32

Radical Right

Answer 32

Refers to political movements or ideologies that espouse extreme right-wing views, often characterized by nationalism, nativism, authoritarianism, and opposition to liberal democratic values.

Question 33

Rule of Law

Answer 33

The idea that people should be subject to known, predictable, and impartial rules of conduct, rather than to the arbitrary orders of particular individuals. Both the rulers and the ruled should be equally subject to the law.

Question 34

Social Darwinism

Answer 34

The use of Darwin’s theory of evolution to argue that competition and conflict allow humanity to evolve through the “survival of the fittest.”

Question 35

Social Democracy

Answer 35

This refers to a socialism based society but with a capitalist economy that, with reforms, can ensure it works for the common good. The central idea is that the excesses of the free-market capitalist system can be curtailed by government action to provide a welfare state, greater equality, and regulation of the market economy.