MS 113 Exam I: Key Concepts

Define democracy

Democracy is a system in which political authority comes from the people and is meant to serve them, including not just elections but participation, rights, and equality.

Why does democracy matter for this course?

Democracy matters because it can exist formally without delivering real equality.

Democracy: scholars and weeks

• Week 2 frames democracy as participation plus contestation

• T.H. Marshall shows that civil, political, and social rights are all necessary

Democracy: real world example

For example, voter suppression in the United States limits participation for marginalized groups despite elections.

Democracy: comparison

Compared to an ideal of substantive democracy, this shows a gap between formal rules and actual access to power.

Democracy: final insight

Democracy therefore depends on equality and inclusion, not just voting.

Define nationalism

Nationalism is the belief that a shared people should govern themselves

Define white supremacy

Nationalism becomes white supremacy when the nation is defined through racial exclusion.

Nationalism / white supremacy: scholars and weeks

• Week 4 shows how populism can narrow “the people” into a racially defined group.

• Henry Giroux argues that Trump-era politics used racial nationalism and dehumanization.

Why does nationalism & white supremacy matter for this course?

Democracy depends on inclusive citizenship rather than exclusion.

White supremacy: real world example

A key example is anti-immigrant rhetoric portraying migrants as threats to national identity.

Nationalism / white supremacy: comparison

Compared to civic nationalism, which is based on shared political membership, white nationalism undermines equality.

Nationalism / white supremacy: final insight

This shows that defining the nation racially weakens democratic principles.

Define capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership and profit

Define neoliberalism

neoliberalism emphasizes deregulation, privatization, and reduced state responsibility

Neoliberalism / capitalism: scholars and weeks

• Week 5 connects neoliberalism to media concentration and weakened public goods.

• Robert McChesney argues that capitalist media systems concentrate power

• Michael Sandel shows markets can crowd out the common good.

Why does neoliberalism / capitalism matter for this course?

Economic inequality shapes political inequality.

Neoliberalism / capitalism: real world example

For example, media consolidation limits diverse viewpoints and public accountability.

Neoliberalism: comparison

Compared to a public-good model, neoliberal systems prioritize profit over democratic needs.

Neoliberalism / capitalism: final insight

This demonstrates how market dominance can weaken democratic participation and debate.

Define Marxism

Marxism is a theory that argues society is structured by class inequality between those who own resources and those who sell labor. In this course, it is used to analyze media and power.

Why does Marxism matter in this course?

This matters because it explains why inequality persists even in democratic systems.

Marxism: scholars and weeks

• Week 5 and Week 8 show how media reflects capitalist interests.

• Karl Marx provides the foundation, while Noam Chomsky applies it through the propaganda model.

Marxism: real world example

A clear example is news shaped by advertisers and elite sources.

Marxism: comparison

Compared to the idea of a neutral press, Marxism reveals structural bias.

Marxism: final insight

This shows that economic power influences public discourse and limits democratic equality.

Define socialism

Socialism is an ideology that prioritizes equality, collective welfare, and public control over key resources rather than relying entirely on markets.

Why does socialism matter in this course?

In this course, it is contrasted with neoliberal capitalism.

Socialism: scholars and weeks

• T. H. Marshall emphasizes that social rights are necessary for full citizenship.

• This matters because democracy requires material conditions that allow participation.

Socialism: real world example

A strong example is universal healthcare, which treats health as a right instead of a commodity.

Socialism: comparison

Compared to market-based systems, socialism focuses on public goods.

Socialism: final insight

This shows that democracy is stronger when basic needs are guaranteed.

Define fascism

Fascism is an authoritarian ideology combining extreme nationalism, hierarchy, and repression of dissent.

Fascism: scholars and weeks

• Week 4 uses it to analyze how democracies can erode internally.

• Henry Giroux connects modern politics to fascist tendencies like dehumanization and leader-centered power.

Why does fascism matter in this course?

This matters because democracy depends on pluralism and rights.

Fascism: real world example

A key example is far-right movements attacking minorities and the press while operating within elections.

Fascism: comparison

Compared to democracy, fascism rejects equality and debate.

Fascism: final insight

This shows that democratic systems can be used to produce anti-democratic outcomes.

Define public sphere

The public sphere is the space where citizens debate public issues

Define journalism as a public good

journalism is a public good that enables this by informing and holding power accountable.

Public sphere / journalism: scholars and weeks

• Week 5 introduces this through Jürgen Habermas

• Peter Dahlgren expands it to modern media.

Why does the public sphere / journalism matter for this course?

This matters because democracy requires informed participation.

Public sphere / journalism: real world example

A strong example is investigative journalism exposing corruption.

Public sphere / journalism: comparison

Compared to profit-driven media, journalism as a public good serves democratic needs.

Public sphere / journalism final insight

This shows that without independent media, democratic accountability declines.

Define surveillance capitalism

Surveillance capitalism is a system where companies collect and use personal data to predict and influence behavior for profit.

Surveillance capitalism: scholars and weeks

• Week 7 presents it as a new form of power.

• Shoshana Zuboff argues that user data is turned into behavioral predictions.

Why does surveillance capitalism matter in this course?

This matters because it threatens autonomy and democratic decision-making.

Surveillance capitalism: real world example

A key example is the Cambridge Analytica scandal using Facebook data for political targeting.

Surveillance capitalism: comparison

Compared to traditional capitalism, this system operates through data extraction.

Surveillance capitalism: final insight

This shows that control over information can shape political behavior.

Define propaganda thesis

The propaganda thesis argues that media serves elite interests through structural biases rather than direct censorship.

Propaganda thesis / manufacturing consent: scholars and weeks

• Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky call this “manufacturing consent.”

• Week 8 shows this operates in democratic media systems.

Why does the propaganda thesis / manufacturing consent matter for this course?

This matters because it challenges the idea of a fully free press.

Propaganda thesis / manufacturing consent: real world example

A clear example is war coverage relying heavily on official sources.

Propaganda thesis / manufacturing consent: comparison

Compared to the ideal of objective journalism, media is shaped by power structures.

Propaganda thesis / manufacturing consent: final insight

This shows that public opinion is often guided rather than fully independent.

Define racial propaganda

Racial propaganda refers to media that normalizes racial inequality

Define colorblind ideology

colorblind ideology denies racism by claiming it no longer matters

Racial propaganda / colorblind ideology: scholars and weeks

• Week 8 highlights how this works in digital media.

• Jessie Daniels shows how platforms can normalize white supremacy.

Why does racial propaganda / colorblind ideology matter in this course?

This matters because democracy depends on equal citizenship.

Racial propaganda / colorblind ideology: real world example

A key example is algorithms amplifying anti-immigrant narratives as neutral concerns.

Racial propaganda / colorblind ideology: comparison

Compared to explicit racism, colorblind ideology hides inequality.

Racial propaganda / colorblind ideology: final insight

This shows that ignoring race can reinforce structural injustice.

Define hegemonic masculinity

Hegemonic masculinity is the dominant form of masculinity that legitimizes male power by normalizing traits like strength, aggression, and dominance.

Hegemonic masculinity: scholars and weeks

• Week 8 links it to media, ideology, and propaganda, showing how culture shapes political norms.

• Susan Jeffords and Judith Butler explain how gender is socially constructed and reinforced.

Why does hegemonic masculinity matter for this course?

This matters because democracy is influenced by cultural ideas about who should lead.

Hegemonic masculinity: real world example

A clear example is media and political figures equating leadership with toughness and militarism.

Hegemonic masculinity: comparison

Compared to alternative masculinities, hegemonic masculinity reinforces hierarchy.

Hegemonic masculinity: final insight

This shows that democratic power is shaped by gender norms, not just formal equality.

Define anti-woke propaganda campaigns

Anti-woke propaganda campaigns frame social justice movements as extreme or threatening, often through simplified media narratives.

Anti-woke propaganda campaigns: scholars and weeks

• In this course, Week 8 connects this to propaganda and ideology, where media constructs “common sense” views that support existing power.

• Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky show how media can manufacture consent through framing.

Why does anti-woke propaganda matter for this course?

This matters because democracy depends on informed debate, but propaganda distorts public understanding.

Anti-woke propaganda: real world example

A strong example is media portraying diversity or equity efforts as dangerous.

Anti-woke propaganda: comparison

Compared to open democratic discussion, these campaigns rely on fear and misinformation.

Anti-woke propaganda: final insight

This shows how media can manipulate opinion and weaken democratic participation.

Define patriarchy

Patriarchy is a system where men hold dominant power across social, political, and economic institutions.

Patriarchy: scholars and weeks

• In this course, Week 9 builds on Sylvia Walby, who shows patriarchy operates through public institutions, not just the household.

Why does the patriarchy matter for this course?

This matters because democracy can include formal rights while maintaining structural inequality.

Patriarchy: real world example

A clear example is the gender pay gap and underrepresentation of women in leadership.

Patriarchy: comparison

Compared to formal equality, outcomes remain unequal.

Patriarchy: final insight

This shows that democracy can appear equal while reproducing gendered power differences.

Define gendered citizenship

Gendered citizenship means that access to rights and participation is shaped by gender norms rather than equally distributed.

Gendered citizenship: scholars and weeks

• In this course, Week 9 uses Sylvia Walby to critique T. H. Marshall’s idea of a universal citizen.

Why does gendered citizenship matter in this course?

This matters because democracy does not function equally for all groups.

Gendered citizenship: real world example

A strong example is restrictions on reproductive rights limiting women’s autonomy.

Gendered citizenship: comparison

Compared to universal citizenship, rights are unevenly experienced.

Gendered citizenship: final insight

This shows that formal inclusion does not guarantee real equality.

Define the social construction of gender norms

The social construction of gender norms means that ideas about masculinity and femininity are created by society rather than biology.

Social construction of gender norms: scholars and weeks

• In this course, Week 8 links this to media and ideology, with Judith Butler arguing that gender is performed and reinforced.

Why does the social construction of gender norms matter in this course?

This matters because these norms shape roles and access to power.

Social construction of gender norms: real world example

A clear example is media portraying men as leaders and women as caregivers.

Social construction of gender norms: comparison

Compared to biological explanations, this highlights social influence.

Social construction of gender norms: final insight

This shows that gender inequality is produced and can therefore be changed.