CONSERVATISM
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LIBERALISM
Maintenance of the status quo, existing institutions, prefer
gradual development to abrupt change. Society as a whole,
law and order come before the individual.
PRO: monarchy, aristocracy, Church, tradition
ANTI: constitutional/ representative government, revolution
WHO? Nobles, church, the wealthy ruling class, many rural
dwellers – The French Revolution was horrible.
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The individual comes first, liberty, freedoms, rights
optimistic view of humanity, belief in progress, gradual
and steady change
PRO: constitutional government, freedom of the press,
speech, conscience, equal opportunity, free trade,
laissez-faire economics
ANTI: democracy (mob rule) war and revolution,
unions, big armies any institutions which restrict liberty
and freedoms.
ROMANTICISM
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Theory of the arts and literature, also a world view, classicism too
unemotional, overlooks profound inner forces.
PRO: nature, the Middle Ages, the individual, human faculties,
thought and feeling, theunclassifiable and mysterious, genius.
WHO: Music – Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin…
RADICALISM (REPUBLICANISM)
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COMMUNISM
Drastic reforms are necessary, a president rather than a
monarchy – REVOLUTION!!!
PRO: democracy, universal suffrage (one man, one
vote)
ANTI: Monarchy, aristocracy, Church,
French Revolution didn’t go far enough! Goals cannot
be achieved without complete overthrow of the govt,
radicals form secret societies and underground
movements
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The “ISMS”
ANARCHISM (NIHILISM)
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SOCIALISM
The best form of government is NO government
Anarchists want to destroy the government while
nihilists want to destroy everything.
PRO: Violent revolution.
ANTI: Government (or everything)
WHO? A tiny minority, most often found in Russia who
employ methods such as terrorism, bombings,
assassination.
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CAPITALISM
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Economic Theory – free enterprise is best
The market is based on supply and demand which will balance
and regulate themselves.
“laissez-Faire” govt intervention is not necessary.
Mercantilism outdated – free trade more beneficial and
generates new wealth.
Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations”
A type of Socialism
Revolutionary by definition often associated with
Karl Mark and Friedrich Engels
NATIONALISM
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Type A: where national unity exists, love of country,
pride (easily aroused when national interests are
threatened).
Type B: nation ruled by a foreign power or not all
people of your nationality united in one country, then a
desire to achieve unity/nationhood.
Revolutionary by definition (requires overthrow of
foreign powers) sometimes evident in revival of
language, literature, music.
Economic theory – the present system (industrial
revolution) is aimless, chaotic and outrageously
unfair.
PRO: collective ownership, all who contribute to
society are entitled to its care/protection, govt
intervention, cooperation, central planning, unions
ANTI: competition, “laissez-faire” private
enterprise. No need to overthrow govt because
reform is possible.
HUMANITARIANISM
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A deep, but vague sentiment – shared by Europeans
(esp.West)
Concern for human life, desire to end suffering, abolish
slavery, reform prisons and orphanages, end
prostitution, gambling and alcohol abuse, end
exploitation of woman and children (mines and
factories) abuse, torture, etc. seen as foreign and noneuropean