Political terms

Question 1

Totalitarianism

Answer 1

System of government centralised and dictorial - unlimited power over all matters (political, economic, cultural) - complete subservience to the state

e.g. Hilter, Kim Jong Un in Korea

Question 2

Socialism

Answer 2

Political and economic theory of social organisation advocating means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned and regulated by the community

e.g. People’s republic of China, Socialist republic of Vietnam

Question 3

Populism

Answer 3

Political approach that appears to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by elite groups e.g. Trump

Question 4

Authoritarianism

Answer 4

Enforcement strict obedience to authority at expense of personal freedom - blind submission to authority

• rejection of political plurality - central power to preserve status quo (reduction in rule of law, separation of powers and democratic voting)
• Lack free and competitive direct elections, tend to not alternate in power (may be fraudulent, non-competitive elections e.g Communist part of china ruling people’s republic of China, Russia)
• Lack civil liberties such as freedom of religion

Question 5

Capitalism

Answer 5

Political and economic system where country’s trade and industry is controlled by owners for profit, rather than the state

Question 6

Democracy

Answer 6

System of government by whole population, or eligible members, typically by elected representatives

Question 7

Communism

Answer 7

theory of social organisation where all property owned by community and each person contributes and receives according to needs - political and economic system

e.g. vietnam, north korea, cuba, laos

Question 8

Facism

Answer 8

Governmental system led by dictator with complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism

1. Hypernationalism: nation above individual (often racism)
2. Militarism: military solutions to political issues - glorification of violence
3. Centralised autocratic government led by dictorial leader
4. Fetishisation of youth and masculinity
5. Notion of national rebirth (lost golden age syndrome)
6. Self definition by opposition - communism, agarian elites, foreigners, minorities
7. Mass mobilisation and mass party - new political parties
8. Hierarchy path structure, purge disloyalty
9. Theatricality

Question 9

Nationalism

Answer 9

Policy or doctrine asserting interests of one’s own nation separate from the interest of other nations or common interests of all

Question 10

Dictatorship

Answer 10

Government controlled by dictator, one ruler with complete power over country. Typically obtained by force (e.g. Hitler, Fidel Castro, Stalin)

Question 11

Nepotism

Answer 11

Those with power or influence favouring relatives or friends

Question 12

Corruption

Answer 12

Dishonesty or fraudulent conduct by those in power

Question 13

Tyranny

Answer 13

Cruel and oppressive ruler

Question 14

Oligarchy

Answer 14

Where small group of people have control over country or organisation

Question 15

Popular sovreignty

Answer 15

People are ultimate source of authority of government. Flows from people to government, not government to the people - e.g. voting, constitution

Features: separation of powers, system of checks and balances, need for judicial review, federalism (strong central government)