Ideology and History Flashcards
Laissez - Faire Economics
An economic philosophy of free-market capitalism that opposes government intervention.
Social Contract Theory
People who live together in society follow an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behaviour. Can be explicit or implicit.
The Two Row Wampum Belt (Kaswentha)
Symbolizes an agreement of mutual respect and peace between the Haudenosaunee and European newcomers to North America.
Principles of Classical Liberalism
Consent of the Governed
Rule of Law
Limited Government
Individual Rights and Freedoms
Natural Right
Refers to all rights given to all humans simply for the sake of being human; free speech, religious liberty, the right to private property, and the right of political opposition.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
The natural state of man is evil.
Government, strict laws, and sovereign ruler is necessary in order to have a peaceful society.
Rational politics over divine right.
Social contract.
John Locke (1632-1704)
The existence of Natural Law exceeded man-made law.
Citizens have the right to life, liberty, and property.
Government receives legitimacy through the consent of the governed.
First extending rights to all men, initially excluding women.
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Society is a human construct and should be remade to reflect man’s natural state (free and equal).
Decisions should be made on general will.
Will of the people, majority rule, consent of the goverened.
Romantic movement.
Montesquieu (1698 - 1755)
Separation of power: A system composed of 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Tied together by rule of law, equal with different powers. Checks and balances.
Adam Smith (1723 - 1790)
Laissez-faire government. Free trade, invisible hand. Self-interested traders and consumers leads to a greater good and markets are guided to positive outcomes.
Specialization, consumer capitalism.
John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)
Liberty provides the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Liberty is limited only when it stands in the way of someone else’s liberty.
Utilitarianism (actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority) - Greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Karl Marx (1818 - 1883)
Advocated for a radical form of socialism and a worker’s revolution to overthrow capitalism.
Beginning of modern-day capitalism.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1794)
Reactionary preferring the pre-industrial past.
Disagreed with the general will of the people; believing that it would result in chaos and rule by mediocre uneducated and disinterested people.
Classical Conservatist
Industrial Revolution (1760 - 1840)
Move from an agriculturally based economy to large-scale production and the factory system.
European Exploration
Stimulated a money favouring free trade.