Quick Reference
Political Ideologies | Parliamentary
Terms | British Politics | British
Law | Legal
Terms
Ideologies are the sets of basic beliefs about the political, economic,
social and cultural affairs held by the majority of people within as society.
absolutism. System where the rulers have
unlimited control.
anarchism. Society without government, laws,
police or other authority. System of self-control.
aristocracy. The privilege of social class
whose members possess disproportionately large percentage of society’s wealth,
prestige and political influence.
autocracy. Supreme political power is in
the hands of one person whose decision are unregulated..
capitalism. Right-wing political system
where the principle means of production and distribution are in private
hands.
communism. Extreme left-wing ideology
based on the revolutionary socialist teachings of Marx. Collective ownership
and a planned economy. Each should work to their capability and receive
according to their needs.
conservatism. Governmental system where the
existing institution are maintained, emphasizing free-enterprise and minimal
governmental intervention.
democracy. Government by the people usually
through elected representatives.
dictatorship. Government by a single person
with absolute control over the resources of the state.
egalitaranism. Belief where all citizens
have equal rights and privileges.
fascism. Extreme right-wing ideology
where the existing social order is protected by the forcible suppression
of the working class.
imperialism. The extension of power and rule
beyond established geographical boundaries.
liberalism. Representative government, free-speech,
abolition of class privilege and state protection of the individual.
Marxism. Developed by Marx and Engles, it
proposes that all is subject to change and resistance to change necessitates
the overthrow of the system through class struggle.
Maoism. Interpretation of Marxist communism
emphasizing the development of agriculture.
Monarchy. A form of rule in which the head
of state is a King or Queen.
nationalism. The unification of the state
and release from foreign rule.
oligarchy. A system of government in which
virtually all power is held a small number of wealthy people who shape policy
to benefit themselves.
populism. Collective noun for the ideologies
which demand the redistribution of political power and economic leadership
to the ‘common people’.
socialism. Left-wing political system
where the principle means of production, distribution and exchange are in
common ownership.
theocracy. Rule by the church.
totalitarianism. Government control of all
activities.
Trotskyism. Form of Marxism incorporating
the concept of permanent revolution.
THE LEFT
liberty. The freedom of speech and
the right to dissent.
equality. A classless society with
the redistribution of wealth through a welfare state.
fraternity. The communal brotherhood,
working and living as one.
THE RIGHT
authority. The preservation of order
through an evolved authority.
hierarchy. The continuation of the
existing social order.
property. The right to private ownership.
Print this page
