GOVT1400 — CPS — Module 2

Key terms for module 2

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, rule of law, free expression, and limits on state power; often seen as a cultural foundation for democracy.

“Asian Values”

An argument that prioritizes social harmony, hierarchy, and authority over individual rights, often used to question the universality of liberal democracy.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Social divisions (class, religion, ethnicity) that overlap rather than reinforce one another, reducing polarization and stabilizing democracy.

Civil Society

The sphere of voluntary associations independent of the state (media, unions, churches, NGOs) that mediates between citizens and power.

Landed Elite / Landed Aristocracy

A class that derives power from control over land and labor; often hostile to democracy due to its reliance on hierarchy and repression.

Labor-Repressive Agriculture

Agrarian systems that depend on coercion rather than markets, preventing labor mobility and democratic development.

Political Pacts / Political Crafting

Elite agreements during transitions that establish democratic rules, distribute risks, and reduce uncertainty to stabilize new regimes.