Social Studies Unit 1 Review
Social 30-1: Unit 1 Review
- In our first unit, we discussed 6 philosophers who were important in developing both collective and individual ideologies. Complete the chart for each philosopher:
Thomas Hobbes Belief about Human Nature: Individuals are naturally brutish, selfish, mean, and childlike Role of Gov’t: Requires a strong leader chosen from the elite to make key decisions to protect society Belief about Individual Freedoms: he does not believe in individual rights, but he also does not support the ideas of equality
Economic Philosophy: Collectivist or individualist? collectivist because he wants individuals to sacrifice for the common good | John Locke Belief about Human Nature: People = smart, rational and reasonable Role of Gov’t: The government should protect individual & property rights. The government cannot rule without the consent of the people. Belief about Individual Freedoms: He reasoned that individuals have both a right and a duty to preserve their own lives. Believed the source of power was people and popular consent. Favoured individual freedoms Economic Philosophy: Collectivist or individualist? Individualist. He is the philosopher that is the basis of individualist ideals. |
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Montesquieu Belief about Human Nature: People are fearful and scared of conflict Role of Gov’t: The main purpose of the government is to maintain law and order, political liberty, and the property of the individual. To govern in the best interests of the people, not themselves. Belief about Individual Freedoms: Believed that individuals should have separate powers so the government can't control supply & demand, they should hold the government accountable. Economic Philosophy Collectivist or individualist? Individualist - supports the rule of law, and laws making universal suffrage and voting a fundamental right. | Adam Smith Belief about Human Nature: People = selfish and greedy, Rational, and motivated by self-interest and profit motive. Role of Gov’t: Smith rejected government interference in market activities. He believed that a government should be able to protect national borders, enforce civil law, and engage in public works (e.g., education). Believed in the invisible hand, and minimal government interference. Belief about Individual Freedoms: To work hard to establish their own economic needs and should have a free market. Economic Philosophy: Collectivist or individualist? Individualist (he is the philosopher most commonly referred to when discussing individualist economic ideas) |
JJ Rousseau Belief about Human Nature: People = good and able to work together for the common good, People possess great instincts, but those are dulled by rules and morals. Role of Gov’t: to enforce the general will of the society. Believes in Direct Democracy and that the will of the people is the absolute authority. Belief about Individual Freedoms: They should work with the community to promote both individual and community goals. Economic Philosophy: Collectivist or individualist? Individualist - believing members of society should participate in the decision making, but more of a collectivist in that the society should accept common norms and collective responsibility. | JS Mill Belief about Human Nature: People = want perfection and self-improvement Role of Gov’t: putting limits on the ruler's power so that he would not be able to use that power to further his own wishes and thus make decisions that could harm society. To promote individual rights and freedoms, while also protecting the less fortunate/powerful. Belief about Individual Freedoms: Believed in protection of individual freedom and promotion of individual decision-making, Believed strongly in the rights of the individual, and was opposed to the dictatorship of the state during the rule of absolutism in Europe. Economic Philosophy: Collectivist or individualist? Individualist – while he supports some collectivist ideas like sacrificing some freedoms for the good of others, he is mainly in support of individualist ideas. |
- Collectivism and individualism are described by 2 acronyms: PRICES & PRINCE. Describe what each letter of the acronym stands for and which ideology it belongs to.
Individualism Private Property Rule of Law Individual Rights and Freedoms Competition Economic Freedom Self-Interest | Collectivism Public Property Responsibility Interest Norms Common Good Economic Equality |
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- Identify the following vocab words as collectivist (underline) or individualist (bold).
Define terms you are unfamiliar with.
IDEOLOGY PRIVATE PROPERTY COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
IDENTITY RULE OF LAW COLLECTIVE INTEREST
NATION INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
CLASS RELATIONSHIP TO LAND
LANGUAGE ECONOMIC FREEDOM COLLECTIVE NORMS
RELIGION SELF INTEREST ECONOMIC EQUALITY
COMPETITION PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Discuss why the Medieval period was better categorized as collectivist.
- The feudal system was very important and was made into different groups: Peasants, Craftsmen, Clergy, Nobles and Traders.
- What mattered was how you fit into your group, not your identity
- The Church played a big part that wanted collective well-being
- They didn't care about the individual and their rights
- What is the importance of the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta is an early example of individualism. It expressed that the monarch didn't have ‘absolute power’.
- During which time period do we see the emergence of individualistic ideas?
During the Renaissance and the enlightenment, we see a rise of individualism. The Renaissance (around 14th to 17th centuries) and the Enlightenment (around 17th to 18th centuries). People during these times began to think more about themselves and their own rights and freedoms, and this changed how they saw the world.
- Describe the importance of the Age of Enlightenment and the Reformation on Individualism.
During the Reformation, people like Martin Luther wanted to have their own beliefs about religion. This showed that individuals can have their own ideas about what they believe. In the Age of Enlightenment, people like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau talked about how every person has rights and should be treated with fairness. This made people think more about their own rights and freedoms.
- What important document was generated following the French Rev?
- What are the significant points of the document that promote individualism?
Following the French Revolution, an important document was created called the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen." This document talked about how every person should be treated fairly and have certain rights, like freedom and equality. It was a very important paper that told everyone they should be treated nicely and have their own rights.
- Freedom: It says that people should be free to think and say what they want, and they should have their own beliefs.
- Equality: It tells us that everyone should be treated the same, no matter who they are or where they come from.
- Property: It says people have the right to own things and use them the way they want.
- Justice: The document talks about how everyone should be treated fairly and equally under the law.
- How did the Industrial Rev change the structure of economies?
The Industrial Revolution changed economies by making things in big factories using machines. Before, people made things by hand at home, but now, many things were made faster in factories. This made a lot more stuff, and it also changed how people worked. They began working in factories instead of at home, and this made cities grow bigger. So, the Industrial Revolution changed how people made things and how they worked, and it made cities bigger.
- Draw the spectrum for change on the line below. Describe what type of change each position on that spectrum holds (TERMS: conservative, liberal, radical, reactionary, moderate, progressive)
Conservative: This position prefers to keep things the way they are or return to traditional values and practices. They are cautious about change.
Moderate: People in this position are open to some change but prefer it to be gradual and not too drastic. They seek a balance between tradition and progress.
Reactionary: This position wants to return to very old ways and strongly opposes recent changes or progress. They are very resistant to change.
On the right side (from moderate to progressive):
Moderate: Again, moderates are in the middle, seeking a balanced approach to change.
Progressive: Progressives are open to new ideas and changes to improve society. They want to move forward and make positive changes.
Radical: Those in this position advocate for significant, rapid, and even revolutionary changes to address perceived problems or injustices.
- Which end of the spectrum tends to represent more governmental control? Why?
This is because people who are more "Conservative" often believe that the government should have more control and keep things the way they are, with less change. They think the government should make and enforce rules to keep things stable and traditional.
QUESTIONS:
Q1: What are the key principles of individualism, and which terms align with this ideology (acronym)?
A1: The key principles of individualism include private property, the rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, competition, economic freedom, and self-interest. Terms aligned with individualism are private property, rule of law, individual rights and freedoms, competition, economic freedom, and self-interest.
Q2: What are the key principles of collectivism, and which terms align with this ideology (acronym)?
A2: The key principles of collectivism include public property, responsibility, collective interest, norms, common good, and economic equality. Terms aligned with collectivism are public property, responsibility, collective interest, norms, common good, and economic equality.
Q3: Why is the Medieval period better categorized as collectivist?
A3: The Medieval period is better categorized as collectivist because it was characterized by a feudal system that organized society into distinct groups, emphasized collective well-being, and did not prioritize individual identity or rights. Additionally, the role of the Church in promoting common norms and collective responsibility contributed to its collectivist nature.
Q4: What is the importance of the Magna Carta in the context of individualism?
A4: The Magna Carta is important in the context of individualism because it marked an early expression of limiting the monarch's absolute power. It established the principle that even the king was subject to the rule of law and could not exercise unchecked authority, laying the foundation for the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
Q5: During which time period do we see the emergence of individualistic ideas?
A5: The emergence of individualistic ideas became prominent during the Renaissance (around the 14th to 17th centuries) and the Enlightenment (around the 17th to 18th centuries). During these periods, people began to focus more on their own rights and freedoms, challenging traditional collectivist norms.
Q6: How did the Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment contribute to the development of individualism?
A6: The Reformation, led by figures like Martin Luther, emphasized the importance of individual beliefs and the right to hold one's religious convictions, marking a significant step toward individualism. The Age of Enlightenment, with thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, reinforced the idea of individual rights and freedoms, promoting personal liberty, reason, and the importance of the individual.
Q7: What is the significance of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in promoting individualism?
A7: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, following the French Revolution, is significant in promoting individualism as it emphasizes freedom, equality, property rights, and justice. It advocates for individual liberties and the equal treatment of all individuals under the law.
Q8: How did the Industrial Revolution change the structure of economies?
A8: The Industrial Revolution changed the structure of economies by shifting production from small-scale, home-based methods to large-scale factories using machinery. This led to mass production, urbanization, market expansion, changes in labor practices, increased wealth concentration, technological advancements, and a more interconnected global economy.
Q9: What positions on the spectrum of change tend to represent more governmental control, and why?
A9: Positions on the spectrum of change that tend to represent more governmental control include conservative and reactionary. Conservatives favor maintaining the status quo, preserving traditional values, and regulating society, while reactionaries strongly oppose recent changes and seek a return to old ways. Both positions prefer more government intervention to maintain stability and tradition.