Unit One Vocab

Ideology

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

Collectivism

A current of thinking that values the goals of the group and the common good or the goals of any one individual

Individualism

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

Spectrum

Used to classify something, or suggest that it can be classified, in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme or opposite points.

Culture

Combination of beliefs, customs, practices and social behaviors from a particular group of people.

Personal identity

Is 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

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

Worldview

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

Beliefs and values

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

Totalitarianism

State is one in which a powerful central government exercises control over all aspects of citizens' lives and does not allow political opposition.

Hegemony

The political control exerted by one group over others.

Pluralism

Policy that actively promotes the acceptance of diversity in a society.

Progressivism

1. An umbrella term for various ideologies that advocate moderate political and social reform for government action, such as using antitrust laws to prevent corporations from establishing monopolies in the marketplace.

2. A 1920s movement in the United States, usually associated with President Theodore Roosevelt  that reacted to the perceived abuses of laissez-faire capitalism by large corporations. They favored “Square Deal” for average citizens and used legislation and some regulation of the marketplace to achieve this.

Autonomy

A state of individual freedom from outside Authority

Self-reliance

The quality of being solely responsible for one's own well-being.

Pax Romana

A long period of relative peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 BCE to 180 CE, beginning with the reign of Emperor Augustus (Golden Age for Rome)

Renaissance

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

Reformation

1. The action or process of reforming an institution or practice.

2. A historical event that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, beginning in the 16th century, and marked a significant shift from the Middle Ages to the modern era. It fostered the growth of individualism by questioning established authority

Rule of Law

All citizens are equal when under the law, no matter race, or social status, etc. and are subject to clearly defined rules rather than an authority

(Found in Liberal democracies)

Capitalism

An economic system based on Free markets, Fair competition, wise consumers, and profit motivated producers; a minimum of government involvement is favoured. 

Communism

A system of society of property vested in the community and each member working for the common benefit according to his or her capacity and receiving according to his or her needs.

Democratic socialism

Significant public ownership of resources, economic equality is a priority

ie. Sweden’s “cradle to the grave” system of social programs.

Democratic capitalism

An economy in which decisions are made by free and private individuals (producers & consumers).

Fascism

An extreme, right-wing, anti-democratic nationalist movement which led to totalitarian forms of governments in Germany, and Italy from the 1920s to the 1940s. 

Liberalism

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

Classical liberalism

• Involves no government interference (hands off)

• Proposes that the sole function of government is to protect individuals natural rights to life, Liberty, and property

• Emphasizes economic liberalism and promote the freedom of the entrepreneur

Modern liberalism

• Involve significant government intervention (hands on)

• Proposes that all individuals be valid equally

• Proposes development of programs to help disadvantage individuals and eliminate the causes of poverty, crime, and abuse

• Promotes initiatives to share the benefits of development into develop wisely

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

This document became the constitutional blueprint for France

• “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights”

• Guaranteed freedom of speech and religion

• Fair trial by jury

• Established a republic with all men able to vote

• Protected private property

Magna Carta

Royal charter signed by King John of England to appease rebellious barons and limit his own power.

Established the principle that: everyone, including the king, was subject to the law, laying a foundational role in the evolution of English common law, democracy, and the justice system.

Social Contract

Happens between a government and its people. The people agree to give up some freedoms if the government agrees to protect everyone's rights.

Fundamental right

A basic right recognized as having a high degree of protection from encroachment, often explicitly stated in a constitution and guaranteed to individuals by law

Mercantilism

An economic theory that says the aim of all economic pursuits should be to strengthen the power and wealth of the state.

The Wealth of Nations

Written by Adam Smith in 1776 in which he described a system where individuals work for their own interest in a free market system: would lead to a stronger economy and would therefore benefit most people in society.

Free market economy

An economy that operates with limited government intervention. Questions regarding production and marketing of goods and services are decided for the free interaction of producers and consumers.

Planned economy

An economic system where a central authority, usually the government, makes all key economic decisions regarding production, distribution, and allocation of resources. 

Laissez faire

Non-interference or non-intervention. Supports free markets in an individual's right to own private property.

Private property

Something that is owned by an individual, including real estate, other forms of physical possessions, and intellectual property. An essential principle of liberalism and is seen as a natural extension of the concept of the worth of each individual.

Economic freedom

The freedom to buy what you want and to sell your labor, idea, or product to whomever you wish

Self-interest

One's personal interest or advantage.

Competition

The ACT or an instance of competing or contending with others (for example, for supremacy, a position, or a prize). Seen as an incentive for individuals and groups to work harder and more efficiently.

Great Depression

An economic crisis that began in late 1929 with the stock market crash and continued through the 1930s. During this period, banks failed, factories closed, many people became unemployed, and international trade declined.

Collective will

The shared determination, unified commitment, or common purpose of a group of people working together to achieve common goals.

Collective interest

Refers to the set of interests that members of a group have in common.

While individual members may have individual interests, these interests are often better addressed by making them a common set of interest that the group can address together.

Labour movement

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

Socialism

An ideology that contains the belief that resources should be controlled by the public for the benefit of everyone in society, and are by private interest for the benefit of private owners and investors.

Collective responsibility

Means holding the whole group responsible for the actions of individuals (or individual groups) within the group.

Adherence to collective norms

Groups usually impose norms, or standards, on their members as a condition of membership in the group and these norms can relate to conduct, value or appearance.

Censorship

The act of restricting freedom of expression or freedom of access to ideas or works, usually by governments, and usually to protect the perceived common good; maybe related to speech, writings, works of art, religious practices, or military matters.

Public property

Anything - not privately owned by individuals. owned by the state or the community, and managed according to the best interests of the community. 

Crown corporations

Government-owned enterprises, wholly owned by the Crown or government structured like a private company, that is created by federal or provincial legislation to pursue a combination of public policy and commercial objectives, rather than solely profit

Cooperation

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

Kibbutz

A communal settlement in Israel, engaging in agriculture and other activities.

Collectivist but have gradually allowed for more individual choices.

NGO’s

A non-profit, independent entity operating outside of government control to address social, environmental, or humanitarian issues

Plato

Theory of Forms: the concept of a perfect, unchanging reality beyond the physical world,

The Republic: which details his ideal society ruled by philosopher-kings.

Tommy Douglas

• Led North America’s first socialist government

• Created Canada’s first publicly owned automobile-insurance program

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

• Created Saskatchewan medicare, the first universal healthcare program in Canada

• Was a MP from 1935-1944

Ovide Mercredi

• Became a lawyer specializing in constitutional law

• Advocates for non-violent methods for change

• Was the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1991 to 1997

Milton Friedman

• Won the 1976 Nobel Prize in economics.

• Was a highly influential advocate for free market economies

• Was the economic advisor to former American president of Ronald Reagan