Honors Political Science Chapter 2 Vocabulary

anarchism

A system that opposes in principle the existence of any form of government, often through violence and lawlessness.

bourgeoisie

In Marxist ideology, the capitalist class.

capitalism

An economic system in which individuals own the means of production and can legally amass unlimited personal wealth. Capitalist theory holds that governments should not impose any unnecessary restrictions on economic activity and that the laws of supply and demand can best regulate the economy. In a capitalist system, the private sector (mainly business and consumers), rather than government, makes most of the key decisions about production, employment, savings, investment, and the like. The opposite of a centrally planned economy such as existed in the Soviet Union under Stalin and Stalin's successors.

collectivism

The belief that the public good is best served by common (as opposed to individual) ownership of a political community's means of production and distribution.

commercial republic

This concept, found in the Federalist Papers, is most closely identified with Alexander Hamilton, who championed the idea of a democracy based on economic vitality, capitalistic principles, and private enterprise free of undue state regulation.

communism

A political system based on radical equality; the antithesis of capitalism.

conservative

A political philosophy that emphasizes prosperity, security, and tradition above other values (see also liberal).

democratic socialism

A form of government based on popular elections, public ownership and control of the main sectors of the economy, and broad welfare programs in health and education to benefit citizens.

dialectical materialism

Karl Marx's theory of historical progression, according to which economic classes struggle with one another, producing an evolving series of economic systems that will lead, ultimately, to a classless society.

fascism

A totalitarian political system that is headed by a popular charismatic leader and in which a single political party and carefully controlled violence form the bases of complete social and political control. Fascism differs from communism in that the economic structure, although controlled by the state, is privately owned.

gradualism

The belief that major changes in society should take place slowly, through reform, rather than suddenly, through revolution.

ideology

Any set of fixed, predictable ideas held by politicians and citizens on how to serve the public good.

laissez-faire capitalism

An ideology that views the marketplace, unfettered by state interference, as the best regulator of the economic life of a society.

law of capitalist accumulation

According to Karl Marx, the invariable rule that stronger capitalists, motivated solely by greed, will gradually eliminate weaker competitors and gain increasing control of the market.

law of pauperization

In Karl Marx's view, the rule that capitalism has a built-in tendency toward recession and unemployment, and thus workers inevitably become surplus labor.

liberal

A political philosophy that emphasizes individualism, equality, and civil rights above other values.

libertarianism

A system based on the belief that government is a necessary evil that should interfere with individual freedom and privacy as little as possible; also known as minimalism.

Marxism

The political philosophy of Karl Marx (1818-1883), who theorized that the future belonged to the industrial underclass ("proletariat") and that a "classless society" would eventually replace one based on social distinctions (classes) tied to property ownership.

Leninism

In the history of the Russian Revolution, Lenin's anticapitalist rationale for the overthrow of the czar (absolute monarch) and the establishment of a new political order based on communist principles set forth in the writings of Karl Marx.

monarchism

A system based on the belief that political power should be concentrated in one person (for example, a king) who rules by decree.

monopoly capitalism

The last stage before the downfall of the whole capitalist system.

natural harmony of interests

According to Adam Smith, what is good for the happiness of the individual is also good for society, and vice versa, because people will unintentionally serve society's needs as they pursue their own self-interests without government intervention.

Nazism

Officially called National Socialism, Nazism is a form of fascism based on extreme nationalism, militarism, and racism; the ideology associated with Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust.

neoconservative

In the United States, a term associated with the ideology of top advisors and Cabinet members during the presidency of George W. Bush; neoconservatives advocate a strong national defense, decisive military action in the face of threats or provocations, pro-Israeli policy in the Middle East, and a minimum of government interference in the economy.

nihilism

A philosophy that holds that the total destruction of all existing social and political institutions is a desirable end in itself.

proletariat

In Marxist theory, a member of the working class.

public good

The shared beliefs of a political community as to what goals government ought to attain (for example, to achieve the fullest possible measure of security, prosperity, equality, liberty, or justice for all citizens).

socialism

An ideology favoring collective and government ownership over individual or private ownership.

surplus value

Excessive profits created through workers' labor.

war on terror

After 9/11, President George W. Bush declared a worldwide "war on terrorism" aimed at defeating international terrorist organizations, destroying terrorist training camps, and bringing terrorists themselves to justice.

welfare state

A state whose government is concerned with providing for the social welfare of its citizens and does so usually with specific public policies, such as health insurance, minimum wages, and housing subsidies.