AOS 1: Definitions Flashcards
Left
Has come to represent the forces of progress and reform.
Example: The movement for climate change action
Right
Has come to represent the forces of conservatism and reaction
Example: The anti-abortion (pro-life) movement
Conservative
Traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation
Example: the Liberal party in Aus has conservative policies (eg. minimising action on climate change)
Moderate
Occupying the centre, with a mainstream position avoiding extreme views
Progressive
Want change and reform to benefit the people
Radical
A desire of extreme change to part or all of social order / structure
Example: Greta Thunberg has radical opinions on climate change in particular
Liberalism
A political ideology that places an emphasis on individual autonomy, free will and ‘the right to choose’.
Example: the pro-choice movement
Reactionary
Opposing political or social progress or reform.
Democracy
A system of government by which the whole population or eligible members of a state elected representatives
Legitimacy
Political power that is broadly accepted by the population. (Usually granted through democratic/transparent means)
Governance
The action or manner of governing a state, organisation, etc.
Separation of Powers
The principle that the three branches of government, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, should be kept independent and act without interference from each other as means of decentralising and preventing abuse of power.
Example: the courts response to robo-debt in Aus
Universal Suffrage
The right of almost all adults to vote in political elections and all votes hold the same value.
Power
The ability of an actor to achieve their desired aims by influencing and controlling the actions of another.
Hard Power
An actor’s capacity to use force, in order to coerce others to achieve its aims.
Example: Government response to protests in Iran (violence)
Soft Power
An actor’s capacity to use appeal/attraction, in order to co-opt others to achieve its aims.
Example: Confucius institutes
Authoritarianism
A political ideology that upholds strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal rights and freedoms
Example: CCP in China
Socialism definition
a political system based on the belief that the means of production, distribution and wealth in a society should be owned by the government, on behalf of the people.
Socialism ideas and principles
Equality
Individual freedom
Community
Socialism modern example
India has adopted socialist views, such as social and economic equality in the constitution
Fascism Definition
a political system typified by authoritarian leadership, stress on a collective identity and the use of violence or warfare to further the interests of the state.
Fascism ideas and principles
Discrimination against racial minorities
Strong emphasis on nationalism and imperialism
Glorification of war
Fascism modern example
There are currently no outwardly fascist nations, however a good prior example is Germany under Hitler’s leadership
Authoritarianism ideas and principles
Lack of personal freedom
Extreme government regulation and intervention in society
Concentrated power
Authoritarianism modern example
China is an authoritarian state because the CCP is not an elected body and holds concentrated power and control.
Define Theocracy
a political system in which religious leaders rule in the name of a deity or deities.
Theocracy ideas and principles
Ruler is concurrently the head of state and religion
Separation of Church and State is non-existent
Rulers serve their deity rather than the people
Theocracy modern example
ISIS’s control on Syria was an example of a theocracy for a short time.
