2.1: Political Systems Flashcards
What are the two dimensions used to assess political systems?
The two dimensions used to assess political systems are the degree of collectivism vs. individualism and the degree of democracy vs. totalitarianism.
How are the dimensions of collectivism/individualism and democracy/totalitarianism related?
These dimensions are interrelated; systems that emphasize collectivism tend to be more totalitarian, while systems that emphasize individualism tend to be more democratic. However, there is a middle ground where combinations exist.
Why is it important to understand different political systems when discussing economic and legal systems?
Understanding political systems is crucial because they shape a country’s economic and legal systems, influencing how businesses operate and how laws are enforced.
Who is often regarded as the intellectual forefather of modern socialism, and what were some of his key beliefs?
Karl Marx is often regarded as the intellectual forefather of modern socialism.
He believed that in a capitalist society where individual freedoms were not restricted, the few benefited at the expense of the many.
Marx advocated state ownership of the basic means of production, distribution, and exchange (businesses) to ensure that workers were fully compensated for their labor, managing state-owned enterprises for the benefit of society as a whole.
How did socialist ideology split into two broad camps in the early twentieth century, and what were their respective approaches?
In the early twentieth century, socialist ideology split into two camps.
Communists believed in achieving socialism through violent revolution and totalitarian dictatorship.
Social democrats, on the other hand, committed to achieving socialism through democratic means and rejected violent revolution and dictatorship.
According to Karl Marx, what is the primary issue with capitalism?
Marx argued that in capitalism, the few benefit at the expense of the many, and workers are not fully compensated for their labor.
What happened to communism by the mid-1990s?
Communism declined worldwide, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transformation of former communist states into democracies.
Where does communism still exist today, and what happened to social democracy?
Communism remains in some small states like North Korea and Cuba, while social democracy has evolved in some countries to embrace elements of free markets and capitalism.
What is individualism, and how does it relate to collectivism?
Individualism is the belief that individuals should have freedom in their economic and political pursuits, prioritizing individual interests over those of the state. It is the opposite of collectivism.
Who is the ancient Greek philosopher associated with the concept of individualism, and what were his views?
Aristotle (384-322 BC) is associated with individualism. Unlike Plato, Aristotle argued that individual diversity and private ownership are desirable.
He believed that private property is more productive than communal property.
When did individualism reemerge as a significant political philosophy, and in which countries did it develop during this time?
Individualism regained prominence as a political philosophy in the Protestant trading nations of England and the Netherlands during the sixteenth century.
Who are some notable British philosophers associated with the philosophy of individualism?
Notable British philosophers linked to individualism include David Hume (1711-76), Adam Smith (1723-90), and John Stuart Mill (1806-73).
In what historical context did individualism have a profound influence, and where are its ideas reflected?
Individualism profoundly influenced those in the American colonies seeking independence from Great Britain. Its ideas are reflected in the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
What are the two central tenets of individualism?
The first central tenet of individualism emphasizes the importance of guaranteeing individual freedom and self-expression.
The second tenet is that society’s welfare is best served by letting people pursue their own economic self-interest.
How did John Stuart Mill describe the concept of individualism with regard to personal liberty?
John Stuart Mill stated that individuals are sovereign over themselves, their bodies, and minds. Interference with an individual’s liberty is only justified for self-protection or to prevent harm to others.
According to Adam Smith, how does pursuing one’s own gain benefit society?
Adam Smith argued that pursuing one’s own gain leads, as if by an invisible hand, to promoting ends that were not part of the individual’s intention, often benefiting society more effectively than when intending to promote it.
What is the central message of individualism, and how does it conflict with collectivism?
The central message of individualism is that individual economic and political freedoms are the foundation of a society.
It conflicts with collectivism, which asserts the primacy of the collective over the individual.
How did the Cold War exemplify the ideological conflict between collectivism and individualism?
The Cold War was essentially a conflict between collectivism, championed by the Soviet Union, and individualism, championed by the United States.
What trends have been observed regarding collectivism and individualism from the late 1980s until about 2005?
During this period, collectivism waned, and individualism ascended. Democratic ideals and market economics replaced socialism and communism in many states.
What signs of a swing back toward left-leaning socialist ideas have been observed in recent years?
Some signs of a swing back toward left-leaning socialist ideas have been observed in several countries, including Latin American nations like Venezuela, Bolivia, and Paraguay, as well as Russia.
How did the global financial crisis of 2008-09 impact the trends of the past two decades?
The global financial crisis of 2008-09 led to a reevaluation of trends, and there were indications that the pendulum might tilt back toward collectivist ideas for a while, as seen in events like protests against government economic actions in Chile in 2019.
What is democracy, and how is government structured in a democratic system?
Democracy is a political system in which government is by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
How is totalitarianism defined, and what characterizes this form of government?
Totalitarianism is a form of government in which one person or political party exercises absolute control over all aspects of human life, and opposing political parties are prohibited.
How is the democratic-totalitarian dimension related to the collectivism-individualism dimension?
The democratic-totalitarian dimension is not independent of the collectivism-individualism dimension.
Democracy and individualism tend to go hand in hand, as do the communist version of collectivism and totalitarianism.
