Identity and Ideology Flashcards
What is an ideology?
Set of ideas/beliefs that explain the world and your place in it.
What are beliefs and values?
Beliefs; Specific ideas people hold to be true. Values; General principles.
Who is Thomas Hobbes and what were his main ideas?
A philosopher that liked absolute monarchies/dictatorships. He said that human nature lives in fear, violence, and self-interest. He also said that society should be ruled by a dictator who is responsible for everyone’s security.
Who is John Locke and what were his main ideas? What did he write about?
People are rational, intelligent, and reasonable. The government exists to protect one’s natural rights, if it fails to do so, the people have the responsibility to oust the government. He wrote about the social contract.
Who is Jean Jacques Rousseau and what were his main ideas?
People are good and equal at birth, but corrupted by society. He believed in the general will of people.
What is the general will?
Will of the people as a whole.
What kind of a government did these 3 philosophers believe in?
Hobbes: Dictatorship; Locke: Representative democracy; Rousseau: Direct democracy.
What are the factors that influence ideology?
Religion, language, gender, culture, media, environment, relationship to land, ideology, and spirituality.
What is authoritarianism? What is the secret police?
Strict obedience to authority, which is enforced at the cost of personal freedom. These societies have secret police to maintain control.
What are the 3 natural rights as described by Locke?
Life, liberty, and property.
What is individualism?
Rights/freedoms of individuals > over security and harmony of the collective.
What is collectivism?
Needs of collective > individual needs.
What side of the political spectrum would radical revolutionary be?
Extreme left.
What side of the political spectrum would reactionary be?
Extreme right.
What side of the political spectrum would a fascist be?
Extreme right.
What side of the political spectrum would a communist be?
Extreme left.
What side of the political spectrum would a democratic socialist be?
Middle of the left.
What side of the political spectrum would a modern liberal be?
Middle of the spectrum.
What side of the political spectrum would a classical liberal be?
Middle of the right.
What is liberatarianism?
Maximize individual freedoms.
What is the difference between economics and politics?
Economics; deals with allocation of resources. Politics; Deals with power.
On the economic spectrum, what side would laissez-faire be on?
Right.
On the economic spectrum, what side would a centrally planned economy be on?
Left.
On the economic spectrum, what side would welfare capitalism be on?
Middle.
Who wrote Leviathan and what was it based upon?
Thomas Hobbes and it was on justifying why it was necessary to have an absolute monarchy.
What leads to extremism?
Things go bad → People turn towards dictators/anarchy as it’s a fast solution.
What are the themes of ideology?
Nation, religion, class, gender, and relationship to land/environment.
Themes of ideology: What is nation?
Country or group that is organized as a collective. They most likely have common culture, history, language, etc.
Themes of ideology: What is religion?
Values/beliefs that pertain to ethics/morality.
Themes of ideology: What is class? What is it based upon?
The way society is structured. It is based on occupations and money people have.
Themes of ideology: What is relationship to land/environment?
How we live/interact with the environment.
Themes of ideology: What is gender?
Cultural perceptions → traditional views are shifting.
What was Thomas Hobbes’ social contract?
No right to rebel for security.
What was Rousseau’s social contract?
Authority should be from general will of people.
What was Locke’s social contract?
Natural state of freedom sacrificed for life, liberty, and property.
What is anarchism and which philosopher’s ideology does it line up with?
No government control as it is unnecessary. Similar to Rousseau’s line of thinking because he believed people are inherently good.
What is Utopia/Dystopia?
Perfect world; flawed world.
What is progressivism?
Moderate social/political reform through gov’t intervention.
What is liberalism?
Freedom of individual/favors decentralized power.
What is an example of individual/collective interest?
Individual; scoring a goal. Collective; winning the game.
What does the acronym PRICES stand for and what system’s key ideas is it defining?
Individualism: Private property Rule of Law Individual rights/freedoms Competition Economic freedom Self-interest
What does the acronym PEA CCC stand for and what system’s key ideas is it defining?
Collectivism: Public property Economic equality Adherence to social norms Co-operation Collective interest Collective responsibility
What is censorship?
Restricting shared information.
What is totalitarianism?
Government that is centralized and dictatorial.
How are some ways that the government intervenes in economy?
Creating subsidies, taxing the public, tariffs, etc.
What is free trade?
Nations trade with each other without tariffs or taxes.
What is progressive taxation?
More money you make → more taxes you pay.
What is nationalization/privatization?
Nationalization: Government buys private property; Privatization: Government sells its property.
Who was Tommy Douglas?
Created first universal Medicare program in Canada, created a law prohibiting discrimination, etc.
Who was Milton Friendman?
He mainly advocated for free-market economics.
Who was Ovide Mercredi?
Advocates for non-violent methods for change.
What is the rule of law?
No one is above the law, including the government.
What is classical liberalism?
Free market, center to right political ideology.
What is modern liberalism?
Middle of the political spectrum.
