Political Ideologies and Perspectives Flashcards
Economic Ideologies
(what, how and for whom) are answered
Communism
To create total equality for a country’s people
Believes that PROLETARIATS (poor labourers) are currently in situation due to BOURGEOISIE (rich owners)
Solution is to violently overthrow capitalist-based government, establish proletariat government
New government will replace bourgeoisie as owners and managers of all MEANS OF PRODUCTION (the ability to manufacture goods for the people) and distribute these equally amongst people
Therefore, no private businesses – only government-run businesses
Communism Cont.
Government would have no opposition parties, although democracy would still take place (only with one party)
Government would control media as well, to promote Communist values
Government to give housing, food, etc. to people
Socialism
Similar to Communism in following ways:
Government is proletariat-controlled
Government is in control of the means of production (no private business)
Ideal is still for total economic equality and equal distribution of goods for all people
Socialism differs from Communism in the following ways:
Peaceful method of taking over needed
Opposition parties, unions allowed
Government controlled by democratic system, with elections for country’s people
Democratic Socialism
Also known as “social democracy”
Ideal is a MIXED ECONOMY, where there is a combination of both private business and gov’t controlled public businesses and programs
Government system is democracy
Respects human rights and freedoms in laws created
Government works towards a more equal society, creating programs that improve conditions for poor (employment insurance), ill (universal healthcare), etc.
Capitalism
Envisioned by Adam Smith as a contrast to MERCANTILISM (colonies run by mother countries for resources)
Largely an economic theory
Ideal is for government to regulate businesses for fair competition, but avoid strict restrictions or control of their trade and sales
Adam Smith believed that the “Invisible hand” of business would self-regulate them instead of government having to
i.e.- if a business were not selling enough, it was because there was not enough demand, so the business would be forced to change what they sell, etc.
In doing so, gov’t. need not give welfare for failing businesses
Capitalism Cont.
The key is competition:
Private businesses must be allowed free reign to pursue profit
Competing businesses would work hard to make the best product
All people in country would benefit, with good products and rewards for work
Thus, government should not get in the way of business, but let it work on its own
Government is expected to maintain an army, courts and police
Government is discouraged from creating government programs that make work, protect poor
Government not to overly tax businesses
Fascism
Fascism is a mix of authoritarianism, capitalism and state ownership
Dictator and/or small group of elite have total control over government
Rights of people are kept to minimum while effort is on controlling populace
Control is maintained by strong army, police
Private business is allowed to flourish, as long as they assist gov’t. and follow their rules
Workers are organized into associations to be controlled (= CORPORATISM)
Fascist gov’ts usually have popular support in country due to:
People’s need to have strict government control for nation, personal safety
Fear that ‘undesirable groups’, usually based on ethnicity, are attempting to corrupt country and its values
Desire by people to remove, limit these groups ‘control’ over government, country
