Cold War Terms

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DEMOCRACY

FREEDOM

INDIVIDUALISM

COLLECTIVISM

SOCIALISM

CAPITALISM

TOTALITARIANISM

EQUALITY

Democracy

Best political system; allows decisions to be made peacefully

Can’t work under capitalism, because it requires equality; capitalism breeds inequality

Totalitarianism

This is the natural result of a government that controls the economy; it is an evil dictatorship

Communists argued that it was a temporary condition to bring about the transformation of the society

Freedom

The core of a happy and productive society; the result of a Constitutional limit on the government

Freedom is an illusion unless people have a fair share of the wealth to allow them to live beyond their basic needs.

Communism

This threatens a basic natural right protected in the Constitution; the right to private property

Socialism was a response to the evils of industrial capitalism; the resources of a nation belong to all, and should not benefit the few

Collectivism

This violates human nature; people are born to compete, and private property rights are a natural right

Cooperation and caring are the best parts of human nature; sharing of property creates more equality

Individualism

Each individual is responsible for their place in society; hard work is rewarded, laziness is punished

People do not have the same talents and abilities, nor are they born into the same circumstances; all should contribute to the best of their abilities

Capitalism

Provides best opportunity for people to better themselves through hard work; best for society since it rewards initiative and innovation

Evil economic system that creates classes of winners and losers; does not reward cooperation and teamwork, the essentials for progress

Equality

Equality of opportunity and equality before the law are good and necessary; equality of condition is not

Equality of condition is necessary for a healthy society; if everyone is equal, everyone should have access to the necessities of life