Social Studies 30-1: Political Ideologies and Foundations of Liberalism

Comprehensive Question and Answer practice flashcards covering political philosophers, spectrums, forms of democracy, and core concepts of classical and modern liberalism.

What quote regarding average voters is attributed to Winston Churchill as a criticism of liberal democracy?

 Churchill is quoted as saying, "The best argument against (a liberal) democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."

How did Plato define a plutocracy, and why was he opposed to liberal democracy?

Plato defined a plutocracy as a system of government or society ruled and controlled by people of great wealth (not a meritocracy). He opposed liberal democracy because he believed people should only focus on their specific area of expertise, and average voters are not experts in politics.

What key political concept and slogan are associated with Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince"?

Machiavelli is associated with Machiavellianism (doing whatever it takes in order to accomplish a goal) and the belief that "the ends justified the means," arguing that fear is more useful than love for maintaining long-term power.

What were Thomas Hobbes' main views on human nature and governance in Leviathan?

Hobbes held a pessimistic view of humans ("All men are against one another, in a constant state of war") and argued that "A strong government protects humans from their worst natural instincts," believing that "You cannot have both safety AND freedom."

What was Edmund Burke's view on political stability during the French Revolution?

As a prominent classical conservative, Burke agreed with Hobbes and argued that there was no safety when the king was removed from power, opposing the instability of the Reign of Terror.

What is the definition of the "Divine Right of Rule"?

It is a political and religious doctrine asserting that a monarch derived their authority directly from God and is accountable only to God, not to their subjects, parliaments, or any earthly power.

According to John Locke, what is the fundamental purpose of government?

Locke argued that the purpose of government is to protect natural rights (life, liberty, and the right to own property), and that any government that fails to do so should be overthrown.

How did Jean-Jacques Rousseau define the "Social Contract" and the "General Will"?

Rousseau defined the Social Contract as an agreement between members of society to cooperate for mutual benefit. He defined the General Will as the common interest of all citizens, asserting that "The general will is always right."

What central idea regarding freedom of expression is attributed to Voltaire?

Voltaire believed in freedom of speech and the ability to criticize government without fear of persecution, famously encapsulated in the quote: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

What system of governance did Montesquieu design to prevent power from being concentrated in one person or group?

Montesquieu proposed the separation of power into three distinct branches—legislative (writes laws), executive (signs bills into law), and judicial (interprets laws)—maintained by a system of checks and balances so no branch holds disproportionate power.

What is John Stuart Mill's "Harm Principle"?

The Harm Principle states that individual rights and freedoms are limited the moment an individual's actions infringe upon somebody else's rights and freedom.

How do Modernism and Postmodernism differ in their perspectives on truth and history?

Modernism trusts human progress, science, and reason to uncover a single objective truth. Postmodernism argues that objective truth is an illusion, knowledge is socially constructed, and rejects overarching "grand stories."

How is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs structured, and what is its political alignment?

Maslow's model arranges needs from base physiological needs up through safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Politically, Maslow's theory is impartial, neutral, and not ideologically aligned with any point on the political spectrum.

How do Radicals and Reactionaries differ from Liberals and Conservatives on the Rate of Change spectrum?

Radicals (far left) demand immediate fundamental change, while Reactionaries (far right) want to return to a previous era; both believe the system is wrong and are willing to use violence. Liberals (left) favor change within the system, while Conservatives (right) support slow, gradual change; both commit to non-violence.

How are political ideologies classified on the Four-Quadrant Political Spectrum?

The spectrum plots ideologies along a horizontal Economic axis (Left for government control/collectivism vs. Right for private freedom/individualism) and a vertical Political axis (Authority/strict laws at the top vs. Liberty/freedom at the bottom).

How do Karl Marx and far-right Fascism differ in terms of primary societal loyalty?

Karl Marx advocated primary loyalty to one's economic class, viewing nations and religions as artificial constructs used to divide workers. Far-right Fascism demands supreme loyalty to the nation above all else.

What quote by Winston Churchill addresses the flaws and relative viability of democracy?

"Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

What is the structural difference between a Direct Democracy and a Representative Democracy?

In a Direct Democracy, citizens vote directly on every single issue. In a Representative Democracy, citizens elect representatives to make policy and vote on issues on their behalf.

What is voter apathy, and what are two unintended consequences of mandatory voting systems?

Voter apathy occurs when citizens feel their votes do not matter and stop participating in elections. Under mandatory voting systems (e.g., Australia), unintended consequences include "donkey votes" (voting without thought) and "spoiled ballots" (intentionally misfilling the ballot).

What is the distinction between "Tyranny of the Majority" and "Tyranny of the Minority"?

Tyranny of the Majority occurs when a democratic majority passes laws that infringe on minority rights (e.g., Jim Crow laws or Residential Schools). Tyranny of the Minority occurs when a ruling minority suppresses the majority (e.g., Apartheid in South Africa).

What is a major criticism regarding the influence of lobby groups and Political Action Committees (PACs)?

Because joined membership and campaign funding are heavily driven by financial capital, extremely rich individuals and corporations can buy influence over politicians, resulting in a form of Tyranny of the Minority or kleptocracy.

How does Authoritarianism differ from Totalitarianism?

Authoritarianism concentrates political power in a leader or small group while restricting political participation. Totalitarianism is an extreme form of authoritarianism where the government attempts to control nearly every aspect of citizens' lives, including personal beliefs, society, and the economy.