Neoliberalism, Democracy, and Sociological Theory

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the evolution of liberalism, democratic backsliding, social movements, and global economic theories as presented in the lecture notes.

Liberalism (1945-1990)

A political philosophy emphasizing democracy, human rights, and free markets where the individual is the basis for society.

Neo-liberalism (1990-2008)

A more extreme version of the global liberal order characterized by the assertive promotion of markets and democracy by the US and international organizations.

Democratic Capitalism // Supercapitalism

Terms used by Reich to describe the evolution from the post-war liberal era to the more market-intensive neo-liberal era.

Moderate globalization // Hyperglobalization

Terms used by Rodrik to distinguish the controlled global trade of the mid-20th century from the extreme global integration that followed.

Global Liberal Order 1.0 // Global Liberal Order 2.0

Guillen's classification of the international structures built post-1945 versus the expanded, market-centric order after 1990.

Communism

A system based on collective ownership and control over markets and decisions, serving as an alternative to liberalism.

Feudalism

An organizational system where agricultural peasants are subordinated to nobility.

Fascism

A system where the state or its leader has total authority, often representing the supposed "will" of the nation.

Global Liberal Order

The international structures established by the US and its allies since 1945 focused on economic development and stability.

End of History

A concept by Francis Fukuyama in the 1990s suggesting that the battle between communism and capitalism was over, with liberalism becoming dominant.

Battle in Seattle (1999)

A protest against neoliberal globalization based on arguments that free trade is environmentally destructive and causes inequality.

World Social Forum (2001)

A collection of citizen and activist groups formed to oppose neoliberalism and global trade rules favoring multinational corporations.

Brexit

The 2016 vote for Britain to exit the European Union, cited as a key example of a right-wing challenge to the global liberal order.

Populism

Political movements claiming to represent "the people" against a corrupt elite, often using symbolic constructions of who the "true people" are.

Nationalism

An ideology focusing on one nation and its interests above those of outsiders.

Effective Participation

One of Dahl's five requirements for democracy, ensuring citizens have adequate opportunities to express preferences.

Equality in Voting

One of Dahl's five requirements for democracy, stating every citizen's vote must be counted as equal.

Gaining Enlightened Understanding

One of Dahl's five requirements for democracy, where citizens have opportunities to learn about possible policies and consequences.

Exercising Final Control over the Agenda

One of Dahl's five requirements for democracy, ensuring the body of citizens decides which matters are placed on the agenda.

Inclusion of Adults

One of Dahl's five requirements for democracy, meaning most adult permanent residents should have the full rights of citizens.

Liberal Democracy

Government based on free and fair elections combined with strong protections for individual rights and freedoms.

Rule of Law

The principle that law is applied equally and fairly to all, including leaders, who are held accountable under the law.

Independent Judiciary

Courts that dispense justice fairly without favoring the president or the legislature.

Autocracy

A form of government, also known as tyranny, where one person or group holds absolute power.

Illiberal Democracy

A regime that holds elections but lacks liberal protections for minority rights and freedoms.

Competitive Authoritarianism

A regime that is effectively autocratic but still holds elections, such as Turkey or Hungary under Viktor Orbán.

Civil Society

Citizen activity and associations in the public sphere that serve as a counterbalance to government backsliding.

Social Movements

Sustained efforts by civil society members to challenge the government and produce social change.

Non-governmental Organization (NGO)

A domestic association or non-profit organization.

International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO)

An association with members from around the world.

Lobbying

A civil society strategy involving efforts to convince elected officials to support a specific cause.

Grievance Explanations

The theory that injustices naturally generate social movements, which sociologists often criticize because grievances exist even where movements do not.

Resource Mobilization

A factor needed for social movements involving access to money, people, and organizational capacity.

Political Opportunities

External conditions like government repression levels or the party in power that influence the success of a social movement.

Framing

The strategic use of potent images and symbols, like "Pro-choice" vs "Pro-life," to support a cause.

Sociological Theory

Concepts and frameworks seeking to describe and explain features of the social world, categorized into Big "T" guiding ideas and small "t" specific predictions.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's concept describing how individual incentives and market freedom guide society toward prosperity.

Karl Marx's Critique of Capitalism

The argument that markets are a source of misery and exploitation, and that capitalism generates cruel incentives between the rich and poor.

Keynesianism

A middle-ground perspective suggesting capitalism is beneficial but requires strong government regulation to correct issues like monopolies and crashes.

Modernization Theory

An evolutionary theory arguing that all societies naturally pass through stages from traditional to modern, eventually resulting in the decline of global inequality.

Rostow’s 5 Stages

The sequence of societal development: 1. Traditional, 2. Transition, 3. Early Industrialization, 4. Industrialization, 5. Age of Mass Consumption.

World System Theory

A theory arguing the global economic system is inherently unfair, where the Core (rich nations) prospers by exploiting the Periphery (poor nations).

Core

Rich, developed countries that benefit from the world capitalist system.

Periphery

Poor, dependent nations that are exploited by the core of the capitalist system.

Dependency

The vulnerable state of poor nations being trapped in poverty due to exploitation by core countries.

Transnational Capitalist Class (TCC)

Business and political elites who own multinational corporations and media or hold high political office.

Xenophobia

Opposition to outsiders and immigrants, often associated with nationalist-populist movements.