Social Studies 30-1: Ideology & Identity – Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, thinkers, principles, and historical examples related to ideology, individualism, and collectivism for Social Studies 30-1.

Ideology

A system of beliefs and values used to interpret and explain the world, often ending in “-ism.”

Individualism

An outlook that prioritizes independence, self-interest, competition, private property, and individual rights and freedoms.

Collectivism

An outlook that prioritizes group welfare through collective responsibility, cooperation, economic equality, public property, and adherence to collective norms.

Rule of Law

Principle that all people, including rulers, are subject to the same laws.

Individual Rights and Freedoms

Guaranteed liberties such as speech, vote, and association that allow citizens to pursue personal interests.

Private Property

Ownership of land or goods by individuals who may use or dispose of them as they choose within the law.

Economic Freedom

The ability to buy, sell, or labour for whomever one chooses with limited government intervention.

Self-interest

The pursuit of personal goals and benefits, seen as a driving force in liberal economies.

Competition

Rivalry among individuals or firms that is believed to improve efficiency and lower prices.

Economic Equality

The effort to reduce income gaps so no member of society is significantly richer or poorer than others.

Cooperation

Working together toward a common goal, often requiring sacrifices of some personal freedoms.

Public Property

Land, labour, and capital owned by the state or community rather than individuals.

Collective Interest

Goals or concerns shared by a group that are better addressed together than alone.

Collective Responsibility

Holding an entire group accountable for the actions of its members to solve common problems.

Adherence to Collective Norms

Expectation that individuals follow the social and political values of their group, sometimes enforced by pressure or law.

Radical

A political extremist who favours immediate and fundamental change.

Liberal (spectrum)

Someone who supports reform and rapid change within democratic, constitutional systems.

Moderate

A person favouring compromise and gradual change; politically centred.

Conservative

Supports traditional institutions, gradual evolution, stability, and continuity.

Reactionary

Advocates a return to a previous political or social state; resists change.

Nation (ideological theme)

A focus on shared identity, culture, or territory as a basis for political ideology.

Class (ideological theme)

Emphasis on social or economic divisions and the interests of different strata.

Race (ideological theme)

Ideological focus on ethnic identity and relations among racial groups.

Relationship to Land & Environment

Beliefs about how humans should interact with nature and territory.

Gender (ideological theme)

Ideas concerning roles, rights, and relations of different genders.

Religion (ideological theme)

Belief systems addressing spirituality and moral governance.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who saw humans as fearful and self-interested; advocated surrendering rights to a strong ruler (Leviathan).

Leviathan

Hobbes’s term for an absolute authority that maintains peace and order by controlling resources.

John Locke

Philosopher who saw humans as rational; argued for natural rights and minimal government governed by popular consent.

Natural Rights

Locke’s concept of life, liberty, and property that cannot be taken away.

Popular Consent

Idea that government legitimacy comes from the approval of the governed.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who believed people are born good but corrupted by society; promoted direct citizen law-making.

Social Contract

Rousseau’s theory that government authority must rest on the written consent of the governed.

Common Good

Benefit of the community that individuals achieve by serving others, central to Rousseau’s thought.

Charles de Montesquieu

Philosopher who proposed separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Separation of Powers

Division of government roles to prevent concentration of authority.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

Voltaire

Enlightenment writer who championed freedom of thought and religious tolerance; supported an enlightened monarch.

Enlightened Monarch

A ruler who studies governance and protects basic rights while retaining strong authority.

Age of Enlightenment

17th–18th-century movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.

Scientific Revolution

Period of major scientific advances (e.g., Newton) that challenged traditional knowledge and authority.

Natural Law

Belief that both the physical world and human behavior are governed by discoverable laws of reason.

Liberal Democracy

Government guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms, with leaders chosen by free elections.

Capitalism

Economic system where individuals own property and markets set prices via supply and demand.

Communism

Ideology advocating collective ownership of production and distribution based on need.

Free Market

An economy where prices and wages are set by unrestricted competition between private actors.

Profit Motive

Incentive for individuals to work, innovate, and invest to gain financial reward.

Welfare State

Capitalist economy with government programs that ensure a basic standard of living.

Fascism

Authoritarian ideology prioritizing the nation/state over individuals, with strict control and often extreme nationalism.

Democratic Socialism

System combining democratic governance with significant government control over the economy for social welfare.

Democratic Capitalism

Political democracy paired with largely free-market economics.

Kibbutz

Israeli collectivist community historically based on shared agriculture and common property.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

Private, nonprofit group addressing social issues; combines private initiative with collective goals.

Entrepreneurialism

Risk-taking activity of individuals who start businesses to earn profit and spur economic growth.

Haudenosaunee Confederacy

Iroquois alliance (c. 1400-1600) regarded as one of the first participatory democracies.

Great Law of Peace

Haudenosaunee oral constitution establishing harmony, division of powers, and individual freedoms.

Declaration of Independence

1776 U.S. document asserting colonies’ separation from Britain and affirming individual rights.

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

Locke-inspired natural rights listed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité

French Revolutionary motto meaning “liberty, equality, fraternity.”

Individualism-Collectivism Spectrum

Continuum showing varying emphasis on personal freedom versus group welfare.

Grey Area

Recognition that many issues lie between polar extremes of individualism and collectivism.

Divine Right of Kings

Doctrine that monarchs derive authority directly from God, opposed by Enlightenment thinkers.

Supply and Demand

Market forces determining prices and wages in capitalist economies.

Progressive Tax System

Taxation where higher earners pay a larger percentage to promote economic equality.

Labour Movement

Collective action by workers to improve wages and conditions, illustrating collective interest.

Public Services / Social Programs

Government-funded services (e.g., health care) aimed at promoting collective well-being.

Private Initiative

Actions started by individuals or private groups without direct government control.

Informal Social Structures

Unwritten societal rules about acceptable behaviour.

Economic Structures

Ways production, wages, and benefits are organized, revealing societal values.

Political Structures

Systems of governing and lawmaking that regulate behaviour within a society.