Social Studies 30-1 Unit 1 Vocab

Ideology

A set of principles or ideas that explains your world and your place within it, which is based on certain assumptions about human nature, and society and provides an interpretation of the past and a vision for the future.

Point of view

An individual’s opinion and is based on that individual’s personal experiences

Perspective

The outlook of a particular group of people with the same age, culture, economics, faith, language, or other shared quality.

The Social Contract (idea by John Locke) (SUPER IMPORTANT)

The willingness to give up some rights or freedoms to get other rights or freedoms guaranteed in exchange.

• A person might be willing to give up their freedom to hurt others without punishment for a government which ensures their own security

• A king might be willing to give up their own right to live (if the people don’t like the king, he can get killed) if it means they get power over more people

• It is a metaphorical “contract” between people and the collective

Personal identity

The idea you have of yourself as a unique individual. It is the collection of traits that you think of as distinguishing you from others.

Collective identity

An identity that you share with other people as a member of a larger social group, such as a linguistic, faith, cultural, or ethnic group.

Beliefs and values

Important aspects of identity that influence behaviour and choices, and that guide people in their interactions with others and how the view the world.

Liberalism

A collection of ideologies all committed to the principle of the dignity and freedom of the individual as the foundation for society. Liberalism has faith in human progress (change) and tends to favour decentralized power, both in political and economic affairs, and respect for the sovereignty of the reasoning individual

Aspects:

• Individualism

  • Favours individual freedoms

• Rationalism

  • People act logically

• Freedom/liberty

• Justice and toleration

• Equality of opportunity

• Meritocracy (success based on ability & effort, not social classes)

• Pluralism

  • Accepts and encourages many cultures

• Natural rights

• Property rights; government protection

  • Private property

• Organized politically around the twin values of consent and constitutionalism

Worldview

A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or group; then lens through which the world is viewed by an individual or group; the overall perspective from which the world is interpreted

Totalitarian state

A state with a powerful central government which excercises strict control over all aspects of citizens’ lives and does not allow political opposition

Totalitarianism

A government system that seeks complete control over the public and private lives of its citizens

Hegemony

Where one political view or system dominates a group, and all other views are minorities

Pluralism (in a political context)

A policy that actively promotes the acceptance of diversity in a society (eg. bilingualism, multiculturalism, prohibiting discrimination, etc.)

Sources of Identity

• Family Influence

• Gender

• Religion and Spirituality

• Environment

• Relationship to Land

• Language

• The Media

• The Government

(elaborate on each)

Characteristics of Ideology

• Human Nature

  • Are humans inherently good or bad?

  • How to approach people (eg. with caution or openness)?

• Structure of Society

  • Binds people together and maintains societal order

  • Is there a minimum wage?

  • Should economic inequality be intervened upon or not?

  • Is gender inequality an issue?

  • Respect for elders

• Interpretation of the Past

  • Many people base their beliefs on the past

  • Was the past something to go back to or something to leave behind?

  • Remembrance Day: past event which Canadians honour

• Vision for the Future

  • Helps guide the actions of people who embrace the ideology, and gives them HOPE!!!!

Themes of ideology

Typical ones include nation, class, environment and relationship to land, gender, and religion, among others.

Progressivism

An umbrella term for various ideologies that advocate moderate political and social reform through government action, such as using anti-trust laws to prevent corporations from establishing monopolies in the marketplace. Progressive ideologies generally support social justice and the rights of workers. They are on the LEFT (new change) of the political spectrum or FAR RIGHT (going backwards to the past)

Nation as a theme of ideology

It is a community of people usually occupying a defined territory, often politically independent

• Example; The Kurds live in parts of Turkey, Iraq, and Iran and seek self-determination as a nation. Although they number 30 million, the Kurds of Turkey, Iraq, and Iran are not recognized as a nation-state. One aspect of their ideology is to seek self determination as a nation

Class as a theme of ideology

A division of society, such as the middle class, usually defined by income, wealth, privilege, or role in society

• Example: Some ideologies which embrace collectivist values, such as communism, seek to eliminate class distinctions in society through income and wealth redistribution, Other ideologies see class as evidence of a fair distribution of society’s resources based on people’s talents and initiative

Race as a theme of ideology

A grouping of human beings distinguished according to biological traits such as skin colour

• Example: Some ideologies seek to eradicate racial discrimination; a few ideologies, such as Nazism, have asserted the supremacy of one race over others and have sought to separate people along racial lines

Environment and connection to land as a theme of ideology

The natural surroundings in which a person lives, and his or her connection to those surroundings

• Example: Green ideology espouses, among other things, the principle of ecological wisdom, or respect for ecology. Some thinkers believe that the landscape has an influence on how the people of that land see the world. For example, people living in a mountainous region might have a different worldview than those living on an agricultural plain

Gender as a theme of ideology

The male or female sex considered as a sociological category

• Example: Feminist ideologies are concerned with obtaining equal legal and political rights for women as men have

Religion as a theme of ideology

The worship of one or more deities and the acceptance of. aset of values associated with the worship

• Example: Some ideologies, such as liberalism, promote freedom of religion, Other ideologies try to create a society based on the values of a particular religion (eg. Nazism favours christianity)

Tommy Douglas

Facts:

• Lived from 1904 to 1986

• Was the premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1962

• Led North America’s first Socialist government as the premier of Saskatchewan

• Created Canada’s first publicly owned automobile insurance program

• Introduced the Saskatchewan bill of rights, Canada’s first general law prohibiting discrimination

• created Saskatchewan’s Medicare (public healthcare), the first universal healthcare program in Canada

• All other provinces followed en suite with their own public healthcare programs

Ideology:

• Human nature: believes the younger generation is pro-change and is progressive in issues towards discrimination, inequality, unsustainability, and poverty

• Structure for Society: the younger generation should lead society

• Past: The past is bad and change is needed

• Future: More equality, better pension services, less poverty, more environmental sustainability

Milton Friedman

Facts;

• Promotes free-market economics

• Economic advisor to US President Reagan; his ideas also influenced British, Canadian, and Chilean presidents

Ideology:

• Human Nature:

  • People act rationally

  • Self-interest causes people to cooperate

  • Self-interest in the private sector is fine, self-interest in the government is bad

  • Most modern problems are caused by over-government – the government trying to control people too much

  • Failures in the private sector heal, failures in the public sector expand (the government can just say that not enough was invested, and then use even more taxpayer money for the failure)

Ovide Mercredi

Facts:

• Regional chief of the assembly of first nations for Manitoba

• Chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation

• Advocates for non-violent methods for change

Ideology:

• Less politics, more traditions and past ways of life → respect and kindness

• Collectivism: sacrificing individual gains for the community

• Optimistic: people are capable of healing, especially women

Case Study: Myanmar and Cyclone Nargis

• On May 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, killing at least 100 000 and affecting far more.

• Nonetheless, the government response was almost non existent, and the government rejected any foreign aid.

• When the government finally did admit a small amount of aid, the government demanded that the military was able to distribute the resources.

• Reports circulated of the food and aid being distributed only to areas who supported the government, and even to military personnel instead of citizens.

• Essentially, the government used the foreign aid to punish non-obliging citizens.

• This shows that the Myanmar government is authoritarian and socialist, maintaining total control over its citizens. The government rejects foreign aid, and restricts the media and the press in its country, showing collectivist viewpoints. Rights and freedoms are restricted, and the government sees that citizens must comply with orders or they will be severely punished.

Autonomy

A state of individual freedom from outside authority. It is a tenet of individualism.

Self-reliance

The quality of being solely responsible for one’s own well-being. Individualism stresses this.

Common good

The good of a community; something that benefits the public health, safety, and/or well-being of society as a whole. This is an emphasis of collectivisim.

The Hutterites and Collectivism

The Hutterites practice collectivism where they practice a “community of goods” based on an interpretation of the Bible. The colony members work together, and all money earned belongs to the colony as a collective. All goods are owned by the colony, including land and houses. When an individual needs an item, they ask the colony and the item is brought for them.

Indigenous understanding of collectivism

In many indigenous cultures, members of a tribe form a tight-knit community where all members work in the best interests of the community as a whole. They emphasize the common good, and help each other out in hard times.

Collectivism in the Medieval Period

Wealthy landlords and kings owned all property, and all citizens served their masters. People served the kind in exchange for security. A strict hierarchy system was used, and people were usually born into the caste category they were in for life. Physical life was mundane, but a nice spiritual afterlife was why most people even bothered to work and live.

The Renaissance

• A period in European history from about 1350 to 1600 that was characterized by a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman culture, which included a renewed interest in humanism, the power of human reason and human creative potential, and the concept of the worth of the individual.

• The greeks were individualistic, where people could become similar to gods and even challenge them. These ideas caught traction and people began taking pride in their work and themselves.

The Protestant Reformation

With the advent of the printing press, the Bible became widespread across Europe, with various cultures being able interpret it in different ways, creating a medley of collectivistic and individualistic cultures in Europe.

Individualism

A current of thinking that values the freedom and worth of the individual, sometimes over the security and harmony of the group

Principles of Individualism

• Private Property

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights and Freedoms

• Competition

• Economic Freedom

• Self-Interest

Rule of Law

A key principle in liberal democracies that states that every individual is equal before the law, and all citizens are subject to the law.

Individual Rights and Freedoms

All citizens are guaranteed to several rights and freedoms which are protected by law. These include mobility right, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, voting rights, etc.

Economic Freedom

The freedom to buy what you want and sell your labour, ideas, or products to whomever you wish

Free Market

A market that operates with limited government intervention. In a free-market economy, questions regarding production and marketing of goods and services are decided through the free interaction of producers and consumers.

Welfare State

A state in which the economy is capitalist, but the government uses policies that directly or indirectly modify the market forces in order to ensure economic stability and a basic standard of living for its citizens, usually through social programs

Self-Interest

One’s own personal interest or advantage

Competition

The act or instance of competing or contending with others (eg. for a position, supremacy, or a prize). Competition is seen as an incentive for individuals and groups to work harder and more efficiently, which drives innovation.

Collectivism

A current of thinking that values the goals or collective responsible for the actions of individuals (or individual groups) within the group or collective.

Principles of Collectivism

• Public Property

• Collective Responsibility

• Collective Interest

• Adherence to Collective Norms

• Cooperation

• Economic Equality

Economic Equality

A principle common to collectivist ideologies which can have different meanings depending on the person or ideology.

It can mean any of the following:

• Progressive taxation: People with larger incomes pay more taxes

• All people should earn equal wages for work of similar value

• There should be a guaranteed annual income (GAI)

• All people should share the wealth of the country or the world

• People should own the means of production (eg. factories, farm equipment, companies that produce goods) collectively

• Everything should be free. There should be no private property

Cooperation

Working together to the same end; a principle emphasized by collectivist ideologies

Egalitarianism

Egalitarianism is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds on the concept of social equality, prioritizing it for all people. It is commonly found in indigenous social structures, where all members are held with equal respect and duty.

Public Property

Anything (eg. land, buildings, vehicles, or ideas) not privately owned by individuals, generally speaking, public property is owned by the state or the community, and managed according to the best interests of the community. In Canada, it includes Crown Corporations, Crown land, parks, public schools, etc.

Collective Interests

The set of interests that members of a group have in common. More specifically, the principle of collective interest states that while individual members may have individual interests, these interests are often better addressed by making them a common set of interests that the group can address together.

Labour movement

The effort by organized labour to improve conditions for workers. Collective interest is the basis for the organized labour movement, which began during, and as a result of, the Industrial Revolution.

Collective Responsibility

Holding a whole group or collective responsible for the actions of individuals (or individual groups) within the group or collective.

• In underage drinking, the whole population must get involved to stop the issue. Drinking is often portrayed as “okay” in adult demographics in advertisements, which can influence youth to try it. Also, adults are the main supplier of alcohol to underage drinkers.

• In North Korea, if a family member criticizes the government, the whole family is punished for 3 generations

Adherence to Collective Norms

Faithful observance of the norms or standards imposed on members of a group as a condition of membership in the group. These norms can relate to conduct, values, or appearance.

Attitudes about Individualism and collectivism in North America

• North Americans are mainly individualistic, and believe strongly that people determine their own success in life

• They still show some collectivism, where they believe governments should provide services to those in need

• Individualistic societies with high consumerism tend to have high subjective well being (a person’s perception of their own happiness)

  • Subjective well being was not correlated to income, so long as a person could provide for their household

• Sometimes, when people become more individualistic, they can have a stronger sense of commitment to the collective

Social capital

The strength of social relationships between individuals

• People with higher social capital tend to be more individualistic

Entrepreneurialism

• The Running Room: Founded by John Stanton in Edmonton, it helps runners get access to running paraphernalia, and promotes health

• The Body Shop: Created by Anita Roddick, it provides skin and hair health products to customers, while also communicating environmental and human rights issues

• Gramen (Village) Bank: Made by Dr. Yunus in Bangladesh, it provides micro loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs which can’t get loans from profit-seeking banks

Social Programs and Public Services

While Canada has all the principles of individualism to some degree, especially rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, and economic freedom, it also has some principles of collectivism. Its public services and social programs are paid through taxes which everyone pays, even if they don’t benefit from the programs, showing collective interests at play.

Child Care

• Individualist Perspective: Parents should bear the sole responsibility for caring for their children. It lowers taxes, and one-to-one parent care is the best quality care

• Collectivist Perspective: The government should provide childcare services so that parents can work and have their children watched over. It would be standardized which minimizes the chances for problems in later life.

Kibbutz

Collectivist Israeli communities where all property is owned by the community (even clothes and tools). People eat meals together, and raise children as a community. Gradually, more individualism has arisen, where people now have more choice regarding their clothing and home furnishings, and how to spend their vacation.

Classical Liberalism

• Originated from the ideas of the Enlightenment Era (John Locke) as the political parent and the ideas of the Industrial Revolution as the economic parent

• Values all the principles of individualism

• Relies on human rationality

• Uses a free market system with limited government intervention

• People act rationally in their own self interest, which benefits themselves and society as a whole

• Heavily influenced by John Locke (political) and Adam Smith (economic)

• Constitutional limitations on the government

Limited Government

The principle of little government involvement in the affairs of an economy, in the belief that this results in more efficient self-regulating markets

The Enlightenment (Age of Reason)

An intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries when classical liberalism spread throughout Europe and change some people’s beliefs about religion, reason, nature, and human beings.

Thinkers:

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• baron de Montesquieu

Humanists

Someone who believes in the supremacy of the reason of individuals over faith and who has developed an interpretation of history and beliefs about human nature, the structure of society, and the purpose of life, based on reason rather than religion.

Thomas Hobbes

• An english philosopher living during the English Civil War

  • War between king and the parliament (ended with the king being beheaded)

  • The war ended with a tyranny being formed

• These events shapped Hobbes’ view, believing that human nature is characterized b fear, violence, and dangerous self-interest – extreme individualism– where people look out only for themselves by hurting anyone else that impedes them

• Self over collective

• Connection to Liberalism: The Leviathan could only justify its power if the subjects are kept safe → importance of the individual citizen

John Locke

• English philosopher

• Believed that people are rational, intelligent and reasonable

• Most people at that time believed that God had almighty powers, and the king thus had absolute powers

• Locke believed that power was in people themselves, and can make their own decisions

• He believed governments exist only to protect life, liberty, and prosperity, which is why people decided they should exist in the first place

• Important: he believed in popular consent (DEMOCRACY!!!)

  • ideas used in american revolution

• Wrote the Two Treatises on Civil Government

• Came up with the idea of the social contract

Connection to Classical Liberalism:

• Individuals have the right to make their own choices using their rationality and self-interest

• Social Contract: people give up some of their natural rights to a government in order to receive social order and the security for themselves and their property

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Swedish philosopher who spent much of adult life in France

• Believed people are inherently good, but are corrupted by society and civilization

• People are born equal and free

• Private property, inequality, and prejudices cause corruption

• People should hold the power in society, and should be the ones making laws, and passing them

• Wrote the Social Contract

• Coined the general will

  • People act in the collective will of society, instead of their own individual wills

Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu

• Enlightenment thinker in France who satirized the times in which he lived

• The Catholic Church banned his works

• Believed in the worth of the individual, the equality of individuals, and the accountability of government

• Separation of powers: The government should be divided into a judicial, executive, and legislative branch

  • The influence of 1 branch does not extend to the other 2

  • People need to participate for this system to work → DEMOCRACY

    • Each citizen should be aware of the laws and workings of the government

John Stuart Mill

• An english philosopher who wrote “On Liberty”

• Promotes individual decision making and the protection of individual freedom as the core of societal institutions

• People can do whatever they want so long as they don’t infringe on the liberty and freedom of others

  • People should only be limited if it is to protect the liberty of others

• Advocated for free speech and women’s rights