POL 102 Study Guide - Conservatism, Authoritarianism, and Communism

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to conservatism, authoritarianism, communism, and related ideologies.

Conservatism

A political ideology that emphasizes tradition, preservation of social order, and resistance to change.

Classical Conservatives

Those who want to preserve or restore aristocratic rule.

Modern Conservatives

A mixed group including classical liberals, pro-business advocates, social puritans, and anti-communists.

Edmund Burke

A conservative thinker who emphasized the preservation of society through natural aristocracy, customs, religion, and traditions.

Neo-Conservatism

Focuses on economic growth and is against welfare capitalism, communism, and big government.

The Religious Right

Christians who believe in defending morality through their influence and advocating for biblical values to be the law.

Autocrat

A ruler that seeks unlimited power, not constrained by legality, traditions, or even consensus.

Authoritarian

A system concerned with exercising and keeping power, benefiting only a small group of society.

Totalitarian

A system concerned not only with power but also with remaking the people and society; no aspect of society and personal life is off limits.

Cooptation

A method to bring individuals into an organization through beneficial relationships, making people dependent on the organization for benefits.

Theocracy

"Rule by God," where faith is the foundation for the political regime.

Fascism and Nazism

Totalitarian systems characterized by conformity, extreme nationalism, propaganda, and militarism.

Marxism

A political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Communism

A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Animal Farm

A book written by George Orwell that satirized the communist system, and Stalin in particular.

1984

A dystopian novel by George Orwell portraying a totalitarian state with constant surveillance and control of language.

Winston Smith

A character in the book 1984, who is a victim of the government's manipulation.