Liberalism and its Origins (Vocab) Flashcards
political views that favour traditional values and ideas that favour free enterprise and private ownership
Conservatism
political doctrine where protecting and enhancing individual freedom is the central focus of political and economic functions
Liberalism
a system to characterize and classify different political positions in relation to one another
Political Spectrum
citizens vote on issues instead of for candidates or parties
Direct democracy
a governmental system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of unelected people
Oligarchy
a form of monarchy in which the monarch rules in their own right or power
Absolute Monarchy
the great ‘Age of Reason’ – is the period of rigorous scientific, political, and philosophical discourse that characterized European society during the ‘long’ 18th century: from the late 17th century to the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
The Enlightenment
an economic system based on free markets, private ownership of the means of production, competition, wise consumers, and profit-motivated producers
Capitalism
the belief that kings derived their authority from God and could not, therefore, be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority
Divine right of kings
an economic system in which individuals are free to own property, produce goods, and buy or sell goods and services with little or no government interference; sometimes also referred to as capitalism, the market system, free enterprise, private enterprise
Free market system
if what you are doing does not hurt anyone else, then you should be free to do it without government interference.
Harm principle
in economics, the concept that individual self-interest and competition would regulate the economy.
Invisible hand
an economic theory or system that advocates little or no government interference in the economic affairs of the people.
Laissez-faire
an economic system that was characterized by efforts to restrict trade between nations, regulate economic activity, and accumulate gold bullion in the national treasury.
Mercantilism
universal and inalienable rights held by all human beings (eg. in John Locke’s philosophy).
Natural rights
one’s interest or advantage
Self-interest
the process of monitoring your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
Self-regulating
people live together in society by an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behaviour
Social contract
when the majority of the people pursues exclusively its objectives at the expense of those of the minority
Tyranny of the majority
work done in/at home
Domestic system
the stage of economic development during which the application of technology results in mass production and mass consumption within a country.
Industrialization
newly wealthy
Nouveau riche
an increase in the number of people residing in cities and an extension of urban boundaries to include areas that were previously rural
Urbanization
Document outlining the fundamental rights available to all Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
a legislative body formed of representatives of the people in a democracy
Parliament
The idea that the “right” choice is the one that results in the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Utilitarianism
a belief that the only time you should restrict someone’s rights is if they are going to harm somebody else
Harm Principle
The right to freely vote in an election
Suffrage
The idea that individual voices may be silenced because the majority of people disagree with those voices.
Tyranny of the Majority
A form of government in which the rights and freedoms of individuals are guaranteed, including the right to vote for political leaders of their country.
Liberal Democracies
organizations that try to improve working conditions for a group of workers.
Labour Unions
An ideology developed over time to address concerns with the inequality and injustices created by capitalist society while remaining focused on individual rights.
Modern Liberalism
