Ideologies Flashcards
What is communism, and what is a communist society like?
An economic and political system where means of production are owned and controlled by the state.
The needs of society are represented by the state, where collective needs outweigh individual needs. There are few civil liberties and freedoms, where education is free, but there are no unions and wages are decided by the state.
What is socialism, and what is a socialist society like?
An ideology where the government uses resources to provide jobs and ensures the even distribution of wealth.
Prices are kept low, and taxes are high as money is used for public benefits (healthcare, education)
What is democracy?
A system of governance where people eligible to vote elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What did Stalin want?
To purge the resistance to the rule - he wanted to expel members within ranks without fair cause that opposed his rule.
He wated to show superiority of socialism and communism over capitalism by expanding the spread of communism, creating satellite states to protect his borders. He believed the USSR made the biggest sacrifice after WW2 and believed the atomic bomb was made to use against them. This resulted in the arms and space races, as well as the berlin blockade.
What did the US want?
Adopted a policy of containment against communism after it began to spread to satellite states. The US wanted Poland to be independent, and for Berlin to be a democracy.
