Unit 2-3 Review


Political Ideology:

  • A set of values and beliefs about the goals of government, policy, or politics = views on WHAT GOVERNMENTS SHOULD DO

As represented by the following specific ideologies…  

Individualism: 

  • Belief in individual civil liberties and freedom above governmental restrictions 

  • Ex UK

Neo-Liberalism:  Ex: the UK and Mexico

  • Belief in limited government intervention in the economy and society

  • Pro-privatization

  • Pro-free trade

  • Pro-deregulation (anti-regulation)

  • Pro-elimination of state subsidies (anti-subsidy) 

 Best example: Thatcher and Reagan 

Communism:  

  • Belief in the abolition of private property

  • Includes near total governmental control of the economy 

Planned Economy

Ex: Soviet Russia


Socialism: Government trying to eliminate income diversity and make sure that the government has more control over the economy don't want private property

  • Belief in reduction of income disparity through government intervention (redistribution of wealth)

  • Often includes nationalization of major private industries 

Ex: China


Fascism:  

  • extreme nationalism

  • Favors authoritarian rule

  • Favors ethnic majority rights

  • Minority groups and opposition groups are secondary (often completely shut out and oppressed) 


Populism: 

  • Supports interests and rights of common people over elites

  • However, elites often use this to get themselves elected or gain more broad support 



  • Welfare state: The state of doing well, especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity must look out for your own welfare.  

  • -aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need. 

 - Usually is re-distributed through Taxes: those with more money  

  • Of our 6 the main welfare states: UK 

  • Welfare protections:efforts to protect the health and security of people who are vulnerable or in need.

 

  • Mexico:the program(oportunidades) provides cash transfers to households, but the families must engage in certain health and nutrition activities to receive the money. They must ensure that everyone in the family gets preventive medical care, young children and breastfeeding mothers attend nutrition clinics for growth checks and education, and pregnant women visit clinics for prenatal care and nutrition support. The cash transfer is substantial, averaging about one-third of the family's income, and is specifically given to the mother. 

  • China: Hukou system is an internal migration system that allows people to move and tell the government what type of healthcare they qualify for based on their ID. There has been increased spending to help those in rural areas who are trying to move east towards urban areas like Beijing and Shanghai

-Post-materialism:   

Refers to societal valuing of self-expression and quality of life

  • Leads to citizens pressuring government on issues such as…

  • Environment

  • Social equality & Economic equality

  • Examples: women’s rights, sexual orientation acceptance/LGBTQ rights, minority rights, rights of challenged/disabled persons, animal welfare, etc. 

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  • Post-material values become more prominent as societies develop and become more advanced

  • For example China and the environment

  • For decades China barely focused on environmental responsibility and protections

  • They focused on economic performance first and foremost 




1979 “Protests” = Revolution in Iran: A new system/regime not just a policy change 



  • Casting  ballots (“voting”) and other forms of participation can be used across regime types for various reasons

  • Why/how?

  • Provide a source of legitimacy

  • Gather input

  • Act as a “safety valve”

  • Act as a check on government


Authoritarian:


  • Authoritarian regimes are more likely to use citizen participation to…

  • Intimidate real opposition

  • Give the illusion of citizen influence

 




Referenda: 

  • Allow citizens to vote directly on issues and policy questions

  • Used for a variety of reasons

  • Can promote democratic policy making

  • Allow a chief executive to bypass legislature

  • Compel citizens to make difficult and potentially unpopular choices, thus taking it out of officials’ hands (especially elected ones) 

National vote to maintain relationship with Europe and the European Economic Community (predecessor of EU)… passed

  • 2011: national “Alternative Vote” referendum to replace first past the post… failed

  • 2016: national EU withdrawal (Brexit)… passed

 

  • 1973: NI independence… failed 

  • 1979 Scotland and Wales: devolution… failed in both regions

  • 1997 on devolution: held in Scotland and Wales… passed in both regions

  • 1998: NI for Good Friday Agreement/Accords: power sharing, devolved government and assembly… passed 

  • 2011 Welsh increase in devolved powers… passed

  • 2014 Scottish independence in Scotland… failed