Classic Conservatism

Stability Tradition Order (STO)

Defense of the status quo. A conservative ideal. Edmund Burke advocated this.

Absolute Monarchy

A system of government in which the head of state is a hereditary position and the king or queen has almost complete power

Aristocracy

A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility

Authoritarian

A government in which one leader or group of people holds absolute power.

Bureaucracy

a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Censorship

restriction on access to ideas and information

Class System

social stratification based on both birth and individual achievement

Classical Conservatism

A view that arose in opposition to classical liberalism; it claimed that tradition was very valuable, human reason limited, and stability essential.

Conservatism

A political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes.

Dictatorship

A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority.

Dictatorship vs Authoritarian

A dictatorship has one person as its leader whereas authoritarian systems have a government, both dictatorships and authoritarian situations have absolute power and authority.

Disparity

inequality; difference

Divine Right of Kings

the belief that kings receive their power from God and are responsible only to God

Economic Freedom

The freedom to own property, to make a profit, and to make choices about what to produce, buy, and sell

Elitism

A theory of American democracy contending that an upper-class elite holds the power and makes policy, regardless of the formal governmental organization.

Free Market

An economic system in which prices and wages are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government regulation or fear of monopolies.

Fundamentalism

Conservative beliefs in the Bible and that it should be literally believed and applied

Income Disparity

Difference in earnings between the rich and poor

Individualism

a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Industrialization

The development of industries for the machine production of goods.

Institution

an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

Liberalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the civil rights of citizens, representative government, and the protection of private property. This ideology, derived from the Enlightenment, was especially popular among the property-owning middle classes.

Libertarianism

A political ideology that is opposed to all government action except as necessary to protect life and property. Extreme individualism

Luddism

The smashing of machines that took jobs away from workers in the first half of the 19th century. Named after leader, Ned Ludd, machine-breakers tyrannized parts of Great Britain in an attempt to frighten masters. Workers damaged and destroyed property for more control over the work process, but were met with repression.

Monarchy

a form of government with a monarch at the head.

Monopoly

A market in which there are many buyers but only one seller.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Nouveau Riche

French for "new rich." Refered to people who had become rich through business rather than through having been born into a rich family. The nouveau riche made up much of the American upper classof the late 1800s.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people

Orthodoxy

authorized or generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice

Plutocracy

government of the wealthy

Private Property

property owned by individuals or companies, not by the government or the people as a whole

Privatization

To change from government or public ownership or control to private ownership or control.

Reactionary

strongly opposed to change; an extreme conservative

Republican

a person advocating or supporting republican government.

Rule of Law

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern. No one is above the law

Secularism

An indifference to religion and a belief that religion should be excluded from civic affairs and public education.

Self-Interest

an individual's own personal gain

Social Contract Theory

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

Tory

an American who favoured the British side during the American Revolution

Totalitarianism

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

Totalitarianism vs Dictatorship

Tradition

values and beliefs passed from generation to generation

Urbanization

An increase in the percentage and in the number of people living in urban settlements.

Whig Party

An American political party formed in the 1830s to oppose President Andrew Jackson and the Democrats, stood for protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for internal improvements

American Revolution

This political revolution began with the Declaration of Independence in 1776 where American colonists sought to balance the power between government and the people and protect the rights of citizens in a democracy.

English Civil War

Conflict from 1640 to 1660; featured religious disputes mixed with constitutional issues concerning the powers of the monarchy; ended with restoration of the monarchy in 1660 following execution of previous king

French Revolution

The revolution that began in 1789, overthrew the absolute monarchy of the Bourbons and the system of aristocratic privileges, and ended with Napoleon's overthrow of the Directory and seizure of power in 1799.

Glorious Revolution

A reference to the political events of 1688-1689, when James II abdicated his throne and was replaced by his daughter Mary and her husband, Prince William of Orange.