IB Political Philosophy

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals, specifically one that forms the basis of economic/political theory and policy

State

A nation/territory that is considered as an organized political community under one government.

Liberalism

A political ideology that is distinguished by the principles of individuality and freedom

Shoe-Pinching Argument

 A liberal argument that argues that not all people’s rights will be violated, but the needs of those whose rights are violated should be addressed

Common Good

A term referring to the benefits/interests of everyone 

Coercion

 The action of persuading someone to do something, using force or threats 

Autonomy

The right/condition of self-government, specifically in a certain sphere

Conservatism

The commitment to upholding traditional values/ideas with resistance to change and innovation.

Laissez Faire

A term referring to the principle of letting things take their own course, without any interference/involvement

Power

The ability to influence or change something 

Anarchism

A form of government where there is no main form of government that enforces laws; an ideological standpoint that denies the need for any state at all 

Positive Freedom

 A term referring to the freedom to take control of one’s own life, and be able to experience some degree of self-fulfillment, self-governance, and autonomy

Negative Freedom

A term referring to freedom from any external barriers or interference, in order to carry out any actions. It also involves the freedom to do something as well as the freedom to not do it.

Natural Rights

“life, liberty, and property.”; the rights given to a person at birth, regardless of their nation of birth, or the type of government 

Consent

 The ability of individuals to make decisions as free agents, in order to enter into relationships with other free agents

State of Nature

 A term referring to denoting the hypothetical conditions of what the lives of people might have been like, before societies existed.

Social Contract

An unwritten agreement between citizen and state, that is founded on mutual responsibility

Justice

“just” behavior or treatment, making something “right” that was previously “wrong”

Distributive Justice

Socially just allocation of goods in a society

Retributive Justice

The idea of attempting to balance an injustice by amending a situation

Veil of Ignorance

A philosophical concept by John Rawls; when you know nothing about yourself or about your position in society, a metaphorical description of the barrier against using special concerns in order to assess the principles of justice.

Difference Principle

A philosophical concept by Rawls, states that inequality is only just if it maximizes the benefits of the most-disadvantaged members of society 

Deterrence

 A theory that is aimed at preventing undesirable actions, referring to crimes, by instigating fear of the consequences. 

Rehabilitation

This refers to the approach aimed at reforming an offender, so that they are able to return to society as a law-abiding citizen.

Authority

This refers to the legitimate power/right to make decisions and enforce orders. 

Legitimacy

This is the recognizable justified right that an authority, legal body, or institution has to wield power and make decisions.

General Will

This is the political philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, referring to the collective will of the citizens of a state aiming at the common good or public interest. 

Democracy

A political system where power is given to the people, who exercise that power either directly, or through elected representatives. 

Oligarchy

A form of government where power is concentrated solely in the hands of a small elite group of families, organizations, or individuals. This group has power over all political, economic, and social institutions.

Philosopher King

This concept originates from Plato’s “The Republic”. It refers to a ruler who has both a complex philosophical understanding and the wisdom to rule a body effectively. 

Well-Ordered Soul

This term is derived from Plato’s “The Republic”. This refers to the peaceful state of a person’s inner life, where different parts of the soul function in balance and proper alignment, leading to a just life.

Egalitarian

This is a school of thought that emphasizes the equal moral worth of all individuals and advocates for equality in social, political, and economic life. 

Utopia

Referring to an ideal or perfect society where all social, political, and economic conditions are optimized for the well-being and happiness of their inhabitants.

Socialism

A political ideology advocating for government control over the production and exchange of goods and services, in order to reduce economic inequalities, and ensure that resources and opportunities are distributed equally among the population. 

Capitalism

A political ideology with private ownership of means of productions, along with a market-based dividing of resources. 

Communism

A political ideology establishing a classless and stateless society where the means of production is owned collectively, and resources are distributed according to need. This ideology aims to abolish private property and eliminate class distinctions. 

Dialectal Materialism

 A philosophical theory created by Marx and Engels combining dialectics with materialism in order to explain the development of human society and history. 

Dialectic

 A method of reasoning and argument that involves interaction with opposing forces, in order to lead to resolution. 

Bourgeoisie

The social class that owns and controls the means of production. 

Proletariat

The social class in capitalist societies that does not own the means of production, and sell their labor in order to survive; the working class

Alienation

 A condition where individuals feel disconnected from aspects of their lives, especially their work. This term was used by Marx to describe the effects capitalism systems have on their workers.