3 Political Ideologies Free Online FlashCards

What is a political ideology?

A connected set of ideas about how society works and how it ought to be governed.

What four recurring questions do political ideologies address?

What liberty means, which kinds of equality matter, when authority is legitimate, and what government should do.

What are central liberal commitments?

It emphasizes individual freedom, civil rights, and choice, with government constrained by law and rights.

How does conservatism typically approach social change?

It values continuity, inherited institutions, and gradual change rather than comprehensive redesign from first principles.

What kind of equality does socialism emphasize?

It emphasizes reducing class-based economic inequality and expanding social and economic opportunity.

What principles define libertarianism?

It prioritizes individual liberty, especially freedom from coercion, private choice, and property rights, and generally favors limited government.

How does nationalism connect freedom with political community?

It connects political freedom to a people’s ability to govern itself and sustain a shared national community.

What does feminism seek to change?

It seeks autonomy and freedom from gender-based domination, and challenges unequal rights, opportunities, power, and social expectations.

What does environmentalism emphasize in politics?

It supports collective action to protect ecosystems and manage shared resources, and considers harms to future generations.

How does anarchism view centralized state authority?

It questions whether state authority and centralized coercive power can be justified, and often favors voluntary, decentralized cooperation.

How does fascism treat individual liberty and political power?

It subordinates individual liberty to national unity and favors concentrated authoritarian rule under a powerful state and leader.

Why might a social liberal support publicly funded health care?

A social liberal might support it because public provision can make people’s choices and opportunities more meaningful.