Politics Exam Revision

Ideologies, Governments and Australian Government

Military Power

The use of coercive power to control a particular situation inside or outside a nation.

Actual Military Power

The application and effect of military power that has been used.

Potential Military Power

The military capability that can be used.

Psychological Power

The way thought is controlled specific situations.

Hard Power

The use of military threats, sanctions, economic pressure and assassination.

Soft Power

Debates on cultural values, dialogue or ideology. Attempts to influence through good example and appeals to common-accepted human values.

Superpower

A nation that exercises influence that has global impact. E.g. The US.

Great Power

A nation that has strong political, cultural and economic influence on other nations. E.g. China, France, Russia.

Regional Power

A nation that exercises influence and power within a region. E.g. India, Brazil, South Korea.

Middle Power

Second-tier states that can not be considered a regional power but exerts strategic influence within the region.

Politics

The distribution of power to authority that governs how society works and outlines our rights.

Three factors that impact one's ideology

Family, social groups, and economic status and interest

Two dimensions of politics

how society should be organised and the most appropriate way to achieve this goal

Nationalism

A right-wing ideology that emphasises that the nation should be congruent with the state.

Primordialism

Believes that there has always been fixed nations and that they are fixed, natural and ancient. Believes that the identity of national groups is determined by biological characteristics and genes.

Modernisation Theory

Believes nationalism emerged due to the emergence of modernisation.

Ethnosymbolism

Stresses the importance of symbols, myths, values and traditions in the formation of the modern nation state.

Fascism

A far-right ideology that focuses on the nation more than the people. It is often characterised with a dictator, militarism, forcible oppression

Features of Fascism

A dictatorial leader, oppression of the people and opposition (usually violent actions), propaganda, and extinguish any idea not congruent with the state, aims to achieve self-sufficiency.

Populism

A range of political ideals that emphasises the idea of the 'common people' and its opposition to a perceived 'elite'.

Theories of Populism

Considered an ideation and should be defined according to the specific ideas that underlie it.

Conservatism

A right-wing ideology emphasises promoting and preserving traditional institutions, customs and values.

Theories and Beliefs of Conservatism

Nuclear family, organised religion, private property.

Capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Theories and aims of capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system where private individuals own property and freely set prices through supply and demand, aiming to serve society's interests. Its core motive is to make a profit.

Strengths of capitalism

Economic growth and innovation and more choices and varieties: Entrepreneurs and businesses are motivated to find new solutions, products and services to stay competitive, increase growth and increased standards of living.

Weaknesses of capitalism

Income inequality: some will accumulate more wealth and others in poverty will struggle to get basic needs.

Environmental degradation: businesses will choose short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability

Examples of capitalist countries

The US, Japan, Germany.

Communism

A right-wing ideology that aims for the common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange that allocates products to everyone in society based on need.

Strengths of communism

Economic equality and universal access to basic services.

Weaknesses of communism

Discouragement of innovation and individual initiative and suppression of individual freedoms.

Examples of communist countries

The Soviet Union and North Korea.

Oligarchy

A secret form of government comprised of powerful people with status, money, military control or family ties.

Aims of oligarchies

For a small group of individuals to hold most or all political power. This power is often exercised in a manner that benefits the ruling elite, potentially at the expense of the broader population.

Examples of oligarchies

China, Russia.

Monarchy

When a monarch is head of state.

Difference between constitutional and absolute monarchy

An absolute monarchy refers to the monarch having absolute power over the state and government whereas, a constitutional monarchy refers to the monarch being subject to a constitution. The monarch's power is limited.

Examples of monarchies

The UK, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Eswatini.

Democracy

A form of government where the political power is vested in the people or the population of a state.

Aims of a democracy

Aims to empower citizens by giving them the right to participate in decision-making processes and promotes equality and justice.

Examples of democracies

Australia, Canada, Sweden.

Theocracy

A type of government where the divinely guided officials or a god or a group of deities is in charge.

Aims of a theocracy

To provide a moral and ethical framework based on religious teachings, and to foster social unity and stability through religious cohesion.

Examples of theocracies

The Vatican City, Ancient Egypt, Saudi Arabia.

Dictatorship

A form of government where a single individual has absolute power over a country.

Aims of a dictatorship

To strengthen and maintain absolute political power in the hands of one individual or a small group.

Examples of dictatorships

North Korea, Belarus.