Intro to Political Ideologies and Economic Systems

Nationalism

The belief that a group of people with a shared identity or culture should have their own independent country.

Communism

An economic and political system where private property is banned and all factories, land, and money are owned equally by the community.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own businesses and compete in an open market to make a profit.

Democracy

A system of government where citizens hold political power and vote to choose their leaders.

Authoritarianism

A non-democratic government where one ruler or a small elite group holds all the power and limits people's freedoms.

Constitution

The supreme law of a country that explains how the government is organized and sets limits on its power.

Parliamentary government

A democratic system where executive leaders (the Prime Minister and Cabinet) are chosen from the elected lawmaking body.

Decolonization

The historical process where colonized countries won their freedom and independence from foreign European empires.

Social contract

The idea that citizens agree to give up some freedom and follow laws in exchange for protection and order from the government.

Adam Smith

An 18th-century Scottish thinker known as the father of modern capitalism who wrote The Wealth of Nations.

Communist Manifesto

An 1848 book written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels arguing that history is driven by a fight between rich bosses and poor workers.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

An 18th-century French philosopher who believed people are naturally good and should be ruled directly by the 'general will' of the community.

John Locke

A 17th-century English philosopher who argued that everyone is born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Thomas Hobbes

A 17th-century English philosopher who believed human life without government is violent and chaotic, so people need a strong ruler to keep peace.

The Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's idea that when people pursue their own financial goals in a free market, it naturally helps the whole economy grow.

Political party

An organized team of politicians and citizens who share similar goals and run in elections to get elected into government.

Political compass

A 2-axis grid that maps political beliefs on two lines: economic policy (Left vs. Right) and social values (Progressive vs. Conservative).

Left-wing

An economic position that supports higher taxes, government rules on business, and funded public services like healthcare.

Right-wing

An economic position that supports free business competition, lower taxes, fewer government rules, and individual financial freedom.

Diplomacy

The practice of countries talking and negotiating peacefully with each other to solve problems without going to war.

Karl Marx

A 19th-century German philosopher whose writings criticized capitalism and inspired modern socialism and communism.

Socialism

An economic system based on public planning and ownership of key resources to make sure everyone's basic needs are met.