Polisci 1025F final

What historical event did conservatism emerge as a reaction to?

The French Revolution

What does conservatism defend?

Tradition, continuity, and authority

How does British conservatism differ from Continental European conservatism?

British conservatism is pragmatic and evolutionary, while Continental conservatism is more authoritarian and pro-monarchy.

What are the five core principles of conservatism according to Heywood?

Tradition, human imperfection, organic society, hierarchy and authority, property.

How do traditions function in conservatism?

They preserve wisdom over generations.

What does the principle of human imperfection imply?

Humans are morally, psychologically, and intellectually flawed, necessitating authority and strong institutions.

What is meant by 'organic society' in conservative thought?

Society is viewed as a living organism where hierarchies and roles evolve naturally.

Why is hierarchy considered desirable in conservatism?

Natural inequality exists, and hierarchy provides social order and stability.

What role does property play in conservatism?

It gives individuals security and a stake in society, supporting inheritance and continuity.

What characterizes authoritarian conservatism?

It emphasizes strong order, obedience, and discipline.

What is paternalistic conservatism based on?

'Noblesse oblige,' where the elite have a duty to care for the less fortunate.

What does libertarian conservatism prioritize?

Free markets and a minimal state, with suspicion of state welfare.

What internal tensions did the new right create within conservatism?

Tensions between tradition and radical market change.

What does neoliberalism advocate?

Free market economics, deregulation, and privatization.

What are the main focuses of neoconservatism?

Law and order, traditional values, and strong national defense.

What challenges does conservatism face in the 21st century?

Challenges from globalization and internal contradictions from neoliberalism.

How does globalization affect conservatism?

It weakens national identity, tradition, and cultural cohesion.

What contradiction arises from neoliberalism in conservative thought?

It promotes unchecked individualism, undermining conservative social order.

What is conservatism?

An ideology that emphasizes the desire to conserve traditional values and institutions.

What is the first core idea of conservatism?

The desire to conserve.

Who argued that the radicalism of the French Revolution produced chaos and violence?

Edmund Burke.

What role do traditions play in conservatism?

Traditions hold society together and connect the present with the past.

What is the conservative view on change?

Conservatives support gradual change rather than radical transformation.

What skepticism do conservatives hold regarding political knowledge?

They believe people do not know enough to redesign society.

What is the conservative view on human imperfection?

Humans are flawed and prone to wrongdoing; no ideology can create perfect humans.

What does the concept of organic society imply in conservatism?

Society is a living organism where the whole is more important than the individual.

What is the social fabric in conservatism?

It is an intergenerational covenant where individuals inherit society and must be constrained for it to function.

What do conservatives believe about property rights?

Private property is fundamental; if the state takes property, it is illegitimate.

How do conservatives view inequality?

Inequality is seen as natural and results from talent differences, market outcomes, and choices.

What do conservatives believe about redistribution?

They view it as theft and believe distribution should occur through voluntary market exchange.

What is the conservative view on civil society?

Civil society restrains behavior better than the state through peer pressure and family expectations.

What is authoritarian conservatism?

A form of conservatism that seeks absolute monarchy and church dominance, rejecting Enlightenment reason.

What are Hirschman's three objections to change in conservatism?

Perversity, futility, and jeopardy.

What is libertarian conservatism?

A form of conservatism that rejects tradition in favor of free market capitalism and a strong state for order.

What is social conservatism?

A form of conservatism that emphasizes nationalism, religion, and family values.

What is neoliberalism?

An economic ideology advocating for free markets, privatization, deregulation, and an anti-welfare state.

What is neoconservatism?

A social ideology emphasizing law and order, a strong military, nationalism, and traditional values.

What are the core themes of socialism?

Community, cooperation, equality, social class, and common ownership.

What is revolutionary socialism?

Achieves socialism through the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism.

What is evolutionary socialism?

Achieves socialism through gradual reform and democratic processes.

What is social democracy?

A political ideology that reconciles capitalism with socialist ethics, supporting welfare states and mixed economies.

What is Marxism?

A theory focusing on historical materialism, class struggle, and the abolition of private property.

What does Marx mean by alienation?

The disconnection between human essence and existence under capitalism.

What is exploitation in Marxist theory?

The extraction of surplus value from workers, where they are paid less than the value they create.

What is the state according to Marx?

The executive committee of the bourgeoisie that manages capitalist interests and represses workers.

What is fascism?

An authoritarian political ideology that rejects liberalism and socialism, emphasizing nationalism and totalitarianism.

What are the core themes of fascism?

Anti-rationalism, struggle and vitalism, organic community, leadership and elitism, and totalitarianism.

What is the significance of the term 'fasces' in fascism?

It symbolizes unity under a strong leader and the binding of individuals to the state.

What distinguishes Nazism from Italian fascism?

Nazism is characterized by racial fascism and a central focus on anti-Semitism.

What is the feminist movement?

A social and political movement advocating for women's rights and gender equality.

What are the waves of feminism?

First wave focused on legal rights, second wave on social equality, third wave on diversity, and fourth wave on online activism.

What is patriarchy?

A system of male domination across various societal sectors including family, economy, and politics.

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Sex refers to biological traits, while gender refers to socially constructed roles.

What is intersectionality in feminism?

The recognition that different forms of oppression intersect, affecting individuals in multiple ways.

What is ecologism?

An ideology advocating for radical socio-political change based on ecological principles.

What is the difference between environmentalism and ecologism?

Environmentalism is moderate and reformist, while ecologism demands radical change.

What is multiculturalism?

The recognition and institutional accommodation of cultural diversity within societies.

What is the politics of recognition in multiculturalism?

The idea that cultural recognition is essential for individuals to flourish and feel valued.

What are minority rights in multiculturalism?

Rights that protect cultural practices, ensure political representation, and allow for self-governance.

What is radical political Islamism?

A belief that religion is the absolute foundation of political and social life, rejecting secularism and pluralism.

What are the core themes of radical Islamism?

Islam as a total system, the sovereignty of God, anti-Western sentiment, and the concept of Ummah.

What historical events contributed to the rise of political Islam?

The decline of Islamic empires, Western imperialism, and failures of secular nationalism.

What is the significance of the Ummah in radical Islamism?

It represents the global Muslim community and the collective identity of Muslims.

What is the relationship between capitalism and feminism?

Socialist feminists argue that women's oppression is rooted in both patriarchy and capitalism.

What is the role of ecofeminism?

It connects ecological destruction to patriarchy, emphasizing the domination of nature and women.

What is the significance of the 'personal is political' in feminism?

It highlights that personal experiences are connected to larger social and political structures.

What is the critique of liberal feminism?

It focuses on equal rights through reform but may overlook deeper systemic issues.

What is the critique of radical feminism?

It emphasizes patriarchy as the fundamental oppression but may be seen as exclusionary.

What is the critique of socialist feminism?

It ties women's oppression to capitalism but may not address intersectional issues.

What is the critique of cultural feminism?

It emphasizes differences between genders but may risk essentialism.

What is the critique of postmodern feminism?

It challenges fixed categories but may be seen as overly abstract.

What is the significance of the 'double day' in feminist discourse?

It refers to the dual burden of paid labor and unpaid domestic work that women often face.

What is the impact of globalization on ecologism?

It increases industrialism and poses challenges to ecological sustainability.

What is the tragedy of the commons?

A situation where shared resources are overused because individuals act in self-interest.

What is the indigenous seven generations model?

A decision-making framework that considers the impact on future generations.

What is radical political Islamism (RPI)?

A political ideology claiming modern Muslim societies must purify themselves, re-establish religious law, and resist Western domination, often through violent means.

How does radical Islamism differ from Islam?

Islam is a religion, while Islamism is a political ideology; radical Islamism is a militant, violent variation of Islamism.

What are the main enemies identified by radical Islamism?

The West, apostate Muslim governments, and Muslim hypocrites.

What are the goals of radical Islamism?

To purify Muslim society, eliminate secular law, overthrow secular states, and resist Western power.

What factors contributed to the emergence of radical Islamism?

Reactions to colonialism, failure of secular ideologies, Western intervention, and cultural invasion.

What is a political system?

The totality of institutions, interactions, and processes through which politics operates, including government, regime, interest groups, and civil society.

What defines a regime?

The set of rules, norms, and institutions that determine how power is organized and exercised, distinct from the government.

What is the difference between a government and a regime?

Government refers to specific office holders in power, while regime refers to the underlying rules of the political order that governments must follow.

What are the characteristics of democratic regimes?

Free and fair elections, political competition, rule of law, civil liberties, and accountability.

What defines authoritarian regimes?

Limited pluralism, leaders not accountable to the public, controlled elections or no elections, and often military rule or personal dictatorships.

What is totalitarianism?

An extreme form of authoritarianism that seeks to control all aspects of life using ideology, terror, and surveillance.

What is constitutionalism?

The belief that government authority must be constrained by a higher, agreed-upon law, featuring rule of law and separation of powers.

What is the purpose of a constitution?

To establish the structure of government, distribution of power, limits on the state, and rights of citizens.

What is judicial review?

The process by which courts assess whether laws or government actions violate the constitution.

What are the two models of judicial review?

Judicial review (US) where courts can strike down laws, and parliamentary sovereignty (UK) where courts interpret but cannot strike down acts of parliament.

What is a unitary state?

A political system where central authority is dominant and local governments have only delegated powers.

What is a federal state?

A political system where power is divided between central and regional governments, both having sovereign authority.

What is a confederal system?

A political system with a weak central authority where states retain sovereignty.

What is democratic backsliding?

The decline of democratic institutions and practices, often leading to the rise of hybrid regimes and illiberalism.

What are the functions of elections?

To provide representation, legitimization, political recruitment, socialization, and policy influence.

What is an electoral system?

The rules and procedures that determine how votes are converted into political power.

What is a majoritarian electoral system?

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, often leading to two-party systems.

What is proportional representation?

An electoral system where parties win seats in proportion to their vote share, promoting fairness and representativeness.

What is the single transferable vote (STV)?

An electoral system used in multi-member districts where voters rank candidates and seats are allocated via multi-round transfers.

What are the political consequences of majoritarian electoral systems?

They tend to produce two-party systems, strong executives, and clear alternatives of power, but may exclude minorities.