Democracy
A system of government where its people elect their leaders through a series of elections. Democracy is also associated with freedom of speech, religion, of opposition to government and many more. There are 2 main types of democracy; direct and indirect. Direct is where everyone has the right to make laws together through referendum’s that are the name for the kind of way to pass a law where everyone in the community votes on it. Direct democracy is not usually used to run whole countries as it is too hard to get everyone to consistently vote on whether laws are passed or not. Usually indirect democracy is preferred , this is where people elect leaders who make the decisions on laws on behalf of the population.
Nationalism
This idea is based on a desire for self-determination where people choose who to live under, it involves the creation of new countries. They believe that each ethnic group should have its own society and lead its self. Nationalists think that the world is better with lots of cultural diversity. They also think that diversity is threatened by worldwide influences and mixing.
Imperialism
This is a policy in which large or powerful countries seek to extend their authorities by conquering or by establishing economic and political control over other countries. Some large or powerful countries control other regions to create a bigger empire. They may do this to try and get raw materials, markets, military outposts etc.
Communism
This policy is a political way of thinking and an idea of how society should work and be organized. Communism is a kind of socialism that says that there should not be social classes or states. Communism says that the people of any and every place in the world should all own the tools, factories, and farms that are used to produce goods and food. This social process is known as common ownership. In a communist society, there is no private property
Leninism
Lenin’s developments of Marxism became known as Leninism, Like other Communists, Lenin wanted to see a Socialist revolution led by the working class. But he thought the workers needed strong leadership in the form of a Revolutionary Party organized along Democratic Centralist lines. Lenin wanted Communist political parties in every country to lead the revolution. He thought the vanguard party would need have strong discipline, or it would fail.
Stalinism
Stalinism is the version of communism used under the rule of Stalin 1924-1953 over the Soviet Union. He used lots of terror to try and control the people. He focused on rapid industrialization, the collectivization of agriculture and much more.
Fascism
In this extreme right policy the country is seen as more important than one person or group. A country under this type of system is always run by a dictator who was total control over the government and people. Fascism came about before World War 2 when people were afraid of communism and believed democracy was too weak to defend them.
Nazism
This is a form of fascism, the basis of the Nazism views are based on the Aryan race being superior. According to the racist ideas of Nazism, the Jews, Slavs and Gypsies people were called "inferior races". The Nazis sent millions of Jews, gypsies and other people to concentration camps where they were killed. The disabled, homosexuals, and political opponents from Germany (including Communists) and other countries that the Nazis controlled were also sent to concentration camps. These killings are now called the Holocaust.
Totalitarianism
Finally totalitarianism is used to describe modern political policies where the government has full control of public and private behavior including the way that people think, behave, and talk. This idea was mainly used in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
Links
Liberalism is linked to democracy as they both involve people choosing who rules them. They both believe in electing leaders through elections. Many countries in the 19th century embraced the British model that the power of the monarchy should be limited and the best way to choose who should have power instead of the monarchy was through elections.
Liberalism is linked to nationalism in the 19th century as in some parts of Europe for example in Italy and in some parts of the Austrian empire there was a desire for freedom and national self-determination which is the idea that states should be based on common nationality.
Socialism, Marxism, communism are left wing political philosophies which emphasize class equality, social reform and social justice. They differ on how to achieve it, some socialists may be prepared to work within a democracy whereas communists believe in progress through revolution.
Stalinism and Leninism are derived from Marxism. Practical applications in Russia of Marxist ideas to fit the Russian situation. Lenin adapted Marxism to work in Russia and Stalin then adapted Leninism to include a dictatorship that involved using even more terror to control the people.
Nationalism is linked to imperialism as they both require an aggressive foreign policy. Late 19th century European powers desire for colonies and empire linked to excessive nationalism . Also in 20th century nationalist dictators want land, colonies living space and the pride and patriotism that comes with empires etc. Nazism took this on to another level by using race as well as nationality for the basis of its imperial conquest.
Nazism is linked to fascism as Nazi Germany was a fascist regime led by a dictator like all fascist regimes. Nazism is Hitler’s adaption of fascism. Imitated in some ways like other fascist leaders like Mussolini in Italy. Similar characteristics such as a strong foreign policy, terror, secret police, one party state etc.
Stalinism and Nazism and Fascism shared belief in supreme leader. These regimes in the 20’s and 30’s shared the idea of the Cult of individual. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Franco were effectively dictator. Extremist regimes on the left and right both believed in the need for a strong leader to carry out strong revolutionary policies.
Totalitarianism again links to Stalinism, Fascism and Nazism. In the 1920’s the creation of one party states led to no elections and the rise of dictators such as Mussolini
by
grinstead01 (student)
