Key Terms
Political ideology
Consciously held ideas about both how political life IS structured and how it SHOULD be structured.
Politeia
Aristotle's best realistic government; middle class holds power; rule of law is respected; wealth disparities are reflec
Virtue and government
Aristotle held that government must cultivate virtues — wisdom, courage, moderation, justice — through regulation of fam
State of nature
Less thought experiment, more historical claim — humans are born free with natural compassion; civilization enslaved the
Laws of nature
Rules based on human reason; if everyone followed them, peace would result; but no one will follow them voluntarily with
Solution
A social contract — people agree to give loyalty to a Leviathan (enormously powerful government) that enforces the laws
Natural rights
Rights grounded in natural law; everyone has a duty to respect the natural rights of others
Property
In the state of nature, individuals can own land by mixing their labor with it — as long as others are not harmed
Free market
Prices set by supply and demand communicate information to producers and consumers efficiently; government interference
Right of revolution
If government violates natural rights, the people have the right to depose it
Comparative advantage
Nations should specialize in what they produce most efficiently and trade freely; lower tariffs and reduce export subsid
General will
Laws that genuinely advance the true good of every person in society
Civil religion
Common religious sentiment promoted by the state to unify citizens as brothers and sisters; must teach respect for relig
Core elements
Reverence for the state + nationalism + anti-communism + skepticism of parliamentary government
Capitalism
Private property; freedom to invest and pursue profit; free trade among nations