Key Words

Question 1

What is Feudalism?

Answer 1

A system of production that is characterised by fixed social hierarchies and a pattern of obligations

Question 2

What is Absolutism?

Answer 2

When political power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group e.g. Monarchy

Question 3

What are natural rights?

Answer 3

God given
Fundamental rights for human beings and are therefore inalienable (cannot take away)

Question 4

What is the social contract theory?

Answer 4

The idea that the state is set up with agreement from the people to respect its laws which serve to protect them

Question 5

What is a ‘state of nature?’

Answer 5

A society characterised by unrestrained freedom and an absence of established authority

Question 6

What is the Mechanistic theory?

Answer 6

That the state was created by the people to serve them and act in their interests

Question 7

What is Paternalism?

Answer 7

Power exerted from above, which governs the interest of the people

Question 8

What was The Enlightenment?

Answer 8

A philosophical movement in Europe during the 17-18th centuries
The goals of rational humanity were considered to be knowledge, freedom and happiness

Question 9

What is Foundational Equality?

Answer 9

Rights that all humans have by virtue of being born - cannot be taken away

Question 10

What is Formal Equality?

Answer 10

The idea that all individuals have the same legal and political rights in society

Question 11

What is Meritocracy?

Answer 11

A society organised on the basis that success is based on ability and hard work

Question 12

What is Pluralism?

Answer 12

A belief in diversity or choice, or the theory that political power is or should be widely and evenly dispersed

Question 13

What is a Representative democracy?

Answer 13

A limited and indirect form of democracy, in which people do not exercise power but merely select those who will rule on their behalf

Question 14

What is Egotistical Individualism?

Answer 14

The idea that individualism is associated with self-interest and self-reliance

Question 15

What is Negative Freedom?

Answer 15

The absence of external restrictions on the individual allowing freedom of choice

Question 16

What is Positive Freedom?

Answer 16

The idea that freedom is about personal fulfilment, self-realisation and the development of human capacities

Question 17

What is Atomism?

Answer 17

A belief that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals rather than social groups

Question 18

What is a minimal state?

Answer 18

The idea that the state must be restricted in order to preserve individual liberty

Question 19

What is a free market?

Answer 19

The principle/policy of unfettered market competition, free from government interference

Question 20

What is Laissez-Faire capitalism?

Answer 20

The doctrine that economic activity should be free from government interference

Question 21

What is Developmental Individualism?

Answer 21

The idea that individual freedom is linked to human capabilities flourishing

Question 22

What is an enabling state?

Answer 22

A larger state that helps individuals to achieve their potential and be free

Question 23

What is Distributive Justice?

Answer 23

Put forward by John Rawls
The fair allocation of resources among members of a community

Question 24

What is Keynesianism?

Answer 24

A system forwarded by John Keynes
Economic system that requires government involvement to stimulate the economy - allows it to achieve full stability

Question 25

What is Altruism?

Answer 25

Concern for the interests and welfare of others, based on enlightened self-interest

Question 26

What was the Harm Principle?

Answer 26

Put forward by John Stuart Mill
The idea that the state should only interfere to stop an individual from harming another individual