Unit 1B: Age of Reform Vocabulary

communism

a system where everyone gets the same resources; a classless society

capitalism

a system where people could own private property, and people decide the prices of things

philosophy

a system of values and beliefs

laissez-faire

an idea that the government should play as small a role as possible (means "let it be")

utilitarianism

an idea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

socialism

an idea that society should control the most important industries

reform

to change for the better

suffrage

the right to vote

universal

the idea that something is present everywhere

graduated income tax

the more money a person makes, the greater percentage a person pays in taxes

expose

to put something out for others to see

progressivism

a time period where progress is made (i.e., things get better)

corruption

illegal or dishonest action

discriminate

to make a clear line between individuals and often used in history to treat people badly

muckrakers

writers/journalists who write about the problems in society