Core Political Ideas - Key Terminology

Question 1

Atomism

Answer 1

A society that exists as a loose collection of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals.

Question 2

Authoirty

Answer 2

Those in higher positions of society who are best positioned to make decisions on society’s behalf. Their legitimacy comes from being high up in the social hierarchy, and those below them in the hierarchy to obliged to obey.

Question 3

Change to conserve

Answer 3

Society should adapt to shifting circumstances by mkaing small changes rather than rejecting change outright. These compromises with preserve the essence of society. If society does not change, it risks rebellion and/or revolution.

Question 4

Hierachy

Answer 4

A system in society where groups are assigned varying levels of power and status based on factors like social class and gender.

Question 5

Anti-permissiveness

Answer 5

A rejection, informed by Christian morality, that there is no right and wrong, which was dubbed ‘permissiveness’ by neo-conservatives. Neo-conservatives argue that sex before marriage, same-sex relationship, abortion and recreational drug taking, for example, are wrong. Modern one-nation Conservatives are more accepting of same-sex relationships and marriage, and abortion.

Question 6

Human imperfection

Answer 6

A belief that humans are imperfect or flawed which makes them incapable or always making good decisions for themselves.

Question 7

Noblesse oblige

Answer 7

The duty of the society’s elite, the wealthy and privileged, to look after those less fortunate.

Question 8

Radical

Answer 8

Belief in ideas that favour drastic political, economic and social change.

Question 9

Empiricism

Answer 9

The idea that knowledge and evidence come from real experience and not abstract theories.

Question 10

Laissez-faire

Answer 10

A preference for minimal government intervention in the economy.

Question 11

Equality of opportunity

Answer 11

All liberals accept that inequality is inevitable in a free society. Modern liberals argue for equality of opportunity by enabling all citizens to have access to education and for society to be truly meritocratic.

Question 12

Formal equality

Answer 12

Similar to foundational equality, formal equality is a wider concept, supported by all liberals. It includes equality under the law but also the principle that every individual is entitled to equal treatment in society. It also includes the idea of equality of opportunitiy and the abolition of artificial social distinctions such as gender inequality.

Question 13

Foundational equality

Answer 13

A fundamental liberal belief that all individuals are born with natural rights that entitle them to liberty, the pursuit of happiness and avoidance of pain. In a liberal state this translates into the rule of law, where all individuals are treated equally under the law.

Question 14

Limited government

Answer 14

The principle that governments should be constrained by strong laws and constitutions. Classical and neo-liberals believe strongly in limited government. All branches of liberalism support entrenched constitutions and the separation of powers to reinforce limited government.

Question 15

Mechanistic theory

Answer 15

The idea that the state is not organic but was created by individuals to serve them and act in their interests. Classical and modern liberals differ in their definitions of what these best interests are.

Question 16

Meritocracy

Answer 16

A principle that suggests that although inequality is natural in a free society, in a just society those with greater abilities, drive, creativity and work ethics deserve more rewards that those without those qualities.

Question 17

Tolerance

Answer 17

Requires a willingness to accept the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with. Locke argued for a need to tolerate diversity of spiritual belief because one cannot force another huma being to have faith. J.S. Mill went further in advocating freedom of speech as essential for the discovery of truth.

Question 18

Social contract

Answer 18

The state is based on a contract between the government and the people. Government agrees to make itself accountable to the people and to operate within the law, while the people should agree to obey the laws and uphold the security of the state.

Question 19

Developmental individualism

Answer 19

Both classical and modern liberals think that individuals must help themselves to improve. Classical liberals think the state should interfere as little as possible in this process, whereas modern liberals belive that the state, by intervening, can assist individuals’ development.

Question 20

Egotistical individualism

Answer 20

The belief that individual freedom is associated with a rational sense of self-reliance and self-interest.

Question 21

Keynesianism

Answer 21

A system of economic management where the state directly intervenes to stimulate the economy to achieve full employment and economic growth.

Question 22

Laissez-faire capitalism

Answer 22

A principle mostly associated with the role of the state within a capitalist society, which proposes that capitalism and wealth creation are enhanced if the state doesn’t interfere with the markets for goods, services and labour.

Question 23

Negative freedom

Answer 23

Freedom from interference by other people. Negative liberty is primarily concerned with freedom from external restraint.

Question 24

Positive freedom

Answer 24

The freedom to do something rather than freedom from interference and to act in the context of the structural limitations of the broader society.

Question 25

Enabling state

Answer 25

A state that doesn't necessarily provide for people directly but creates the conditions where people can help themselves. Education provision for all is a key example.

Question 26

Harm principle

Answer 26

The idea that the state is justified in interfering with individual freedom when it is to prevent some citizens doing harm to others.

Question 27

Minimal state

Answer 27

A concept associated with classical and modern neo-liberalism. It suggests that in a free society, the state must be strongly controlled and should have a minimal breadth of functions. If the state has too many functions, it is likely to interfere with individual liberties. The concept is also associated with laissez-faire capitalism.

Question 28

Capitalism

Answer 28

An economic system, organised by the market, and based on private propety, free enterprise and competition between individuals and companies.

Question 29

Common ownership

Answer 29

The state and the public have ownership of property and the economy. The opposite of private ownership that exists with the free-market capitalist economy.

Question 30

Communism

Answer 30

Ideology with a society that is communally organised with an economy built on common ownership, in which goods are held in common and are available to all as needed, at its core.

Question 31

Cooperation

Answer 31

Individuals working collectively to achieve mutual benefit, with the fraternal belief that humans perform best when working together.

Question 32

Fraternity

Answer 32

Humans regarding each other as siblings rather than rivals. Relationships are not based on competition or enmity but on generosity and solidarity.

Question 33

Class consciousness

Answer 33

The moment when the proletariat realises that capitalism is exploiting them, thus empowering them to begin the collective struggle of revolution, after which communism, the perfect socialist society, will be established.

Question 34

Dialectic

Answer 34

A clash of ideas and perceptions between each stage of history. It occurs when the pre-existing set of vaules of society, as understood by the ruling class, are no longer vauled by the majority. A new society will be born from these two opposing tensions.

Question 35

Historical materialism

Answer 35

A theory which argues that economic factors are the driving force for changing events. This economic base form and shapes the superstructure, which is made up of culture, politics, law, religion, ideology and social consciousness.

Question 36

Keynesian economics

Answer 36

John Maynard Keynes argued that governments should stimulate economic demand in times of recession via state spending. Government should also state manage the economy by using tax and interests to influence demand and prevent recessions.