Chapter 9 - Communism ☭

Question 1

Communism

Answer 1

A set of ideas that view political, social, and economic institutions different from most political thought. It seeks to create human equality by eliminating private property and market forces.

Question 2

Surplus Value of Labor

Answer 2

Value inherent in any human-made good that can be used by another individual.

Question 3

Base

Answer 3

Economic system of society, made up of technology and class relations between people.

Question 4

Superstructure

Answer 4

All noneconomic institutions in society (religion, culture, national identity). Derived from the base and serve to legitimize the current mode of exploitation.

Question 5

False consciousness

Answer 5

Failure to understand the nature of one’s exploitation. Buying into the superstructure

Question 6

Dialectical materialism

Answer 6

Process of historical change that is not evolutionary, but revolutionary. Existing base and superstructure (thesis) would come into conflict with the new tech innovations, generating growing opposition to the existing order (antithesis). Culminates in revolution, overthrowing old base and SS (synthesis).

Question 7

Dictatorship of the Proletariat

Answer 7

Temporary period after capitalism that has been overthrown during which vestiges of the old base and superstructure are eradicated.

Question 8

Proletariat

Answer 8

Working Class

Question 9

Bourgeoisie

Answer 9

Property-owning class

Question 10

Communism

Answer 10

Utopia, once all capitalism has been eradicated. State and politics disappear, society and the economy would be based on equality and cooperation.

Question 11

Vanguard of the Proletariat

Answer 11

Lenin’s argument that an elite communist party needs to carry out the revolution, because as a result of false consciousness, historical conditions would not automatically lead to capitalism’s demise.

Question 12

Nomenklatura

Answer 12

Politically sensitive or influential jobs in the state, society, or economy that were staffed y people chosen or approved by the Communist Party. Party hires you for, basically, boss position. To be hired into nomenklatura you had to be in party.

Question 13

Politburo

Answer 13

Short for “political bureau” (cabinet or Communist executive committee).

Question 14

Central Committee

Answer 14

Legislature of the party.

Question 15

Party-state

Answer 15

Where only one party has the right to lead the state

Question 16

Central Planning

Answer 16

The state explicitly allocates resources by planning what should be produced and in what amounts, setting the final prices of these goods, and deciding where they should be sold.

Question 17

Role of women

Answer 17

Women were equally employed, but under cultural norms were still expected to fulfill duties at home.

Question 18

Religion in Communist states

Answer 18

Religion was suppressed but not eliminated… though it IS the “opiate of the masses”

Question 19

Marriage

Answer 19

Communist countries still repressive towards women.

Question 20

Nationalism

Answer 20

People still clung to old national and ethnic identities.

Question 21

Glastnost

Answer 21

Openness. Encouraged public debate.

Question 22

Perestroika

Answer 22

Institutional reforms. Nomenklatura resisted reform, leading to instability.