Download Lesson Six – Dictatorships Checking for understanding Read

Lesson Six – Dictatorships
Checking for understanding
Read through these questions – can you answer them quickly? If you can, then you
understand the key concepts in this video. If not, go back and watch it again. Don’t
forget to check your answers with the answer key (don’t peek – the whole point of this
is to see if YOU understand the key ideas).
1. According to the critics of liberalism, what are some of the problems that come
with embracing a more individualistic ideology?
2. How do supporters of authoritarian states justify dictatorships?
3. What are the key aspects to a model dictatorship?
4. What are the various ways to label a dictatorship?
5. What techniques do most dictators use to stay in power?
6. Summarize the ways in which China exemplifies these techniques.
7. What is the difference between a dictator and a totalitarian ruler?
8. Why do many people see dictatorships as superior?
Textbook Pages
Social 30-2 – 159-181
Social 30-1 – 164-194, 357 – 366 (Chapter 5)
Answer Key
9. According to the critics of liberalism, what are some of the problems that come
with embracing a more individualistic ideology? Selfish, ignores the need for
belonging, difficult to create a unified society, lack of organization and/or
order, is being responsible for yourself really free (think of the fear and
unhealthy competition that can come with capitalism)
10. How do supporters of authoritarian states justify dictatorships? Goals of the
group before the individual (us before me), only certain members of society
are really good at leading the group (more idiots than exceptional), unless we
control people, society will break down.
11. What are the key aspects to a model dictatorship? The elite, who are the only
ones with anything useful to say, will make the decisions. There is no respect
for individual rights because what the leaders say is best for society is more
important.
12. What are the various ways to label a dictatorship? Autocracy, junta,
oligarchy, majority tyranny
13. What techniques do most dictators use to stay in power? Force,
indoctrination/propaganda, direction of popular discontent (scapegoating),
controlled participation, vision
14. Summarize the ways in which China exemplifies these techniques. Using
controlled participation to encourage protest rallies against the Japanese
(direction of popular discontent) and further promote their vision of being
the superior society. The threat of force against any opposition through
censoring of media – which is used to promote the vision through
indoctrination and propaganda, etc.
15. What is the difference between a dictator and a totalitarian ruler? Any leader
that is not elected by the people is a dictator, but that doesn’t mean that
leader has to use the repressive techniques of a dictator – they could be a
good ruler that allows their people freedoms. A totalitarian dictator will rule
in all aspects of the society (this is the type of leader we usually think of
when discussing dictatorships)
16. Why do many people see dictatorships as superior? It gets things done much
faster, because you don’t have to listen to the various ideas/opinions. It does
create a more controlled society = stable (you don’t want to break the rules
because the punishments are so harsh)
Answer Keys
Lesson Six
1. How do dictators justify rejecting the ideas of a liberal democracy?
Liberalism leads to selfishness, lacks unity and order, is not real freedom, the
smartest should rule and therefore others don’t have rights because they are
not part of the elite – if we don’t control society, it will break down
2. How do Hobbes and Burke relate to the ideas discussed in question 1?
Hobbes believed people needed to be controlled, and Burke longed for the
days when kings ruled and tradition was more important
3. What were the four different classifications of dictatorships discussed?
Autocracy (rule by one), junta (military dictatorship), oligarchy (rule by
group), majority tyranny (claim to be a democracy, but do not respect
minority rights) *Illiberalism
4. What are the 5 techniques of a dictatorship? Force, indoctrination and
propaganda, direction of popular discontent (scapegoat), controlled
participation, vision
5. What’s the difference between a dictatorship and a totalitarian regime? The
level of government control.
6. What are some benefits to dictatorships? Quick, effective, stable, efficient
Lesson Seven – Fascism
1. What are some characteristics that identify a fascist dictatorship? Corporatist
economy, elite control, fanatical vs rational, see others as enemies,
totalitarian control to support racist policies, lack of human rights or respect
for international law
2. How does the crisis theory help to explain why societies will turn to fascism?
Provides easy answers to complex problems – especially the use of
scapegoating to take blame off of me.
3. What key event allowed Hitler to use liberal democratic legislation to take
Germany back to a dictatorship? The Reichstag fire and the passing of the
Enabling Act
4. Why did Germans support Hitler? Charismatic, restored national pride and
economy, use of propaganda, indoctrination, fear
5. What are some examples that prove the Nazis were fascist? Rejected
liberalism in favor of authoritarianism, racist/ultranationalist, ignored
international law, promoted a society based on privileges for the elite,
corporatist economy
Lesson Eight – Communism
1. How do communists justify the rejection of liberalism? Theoretically it
actually embraces liberal ideas like a bill of rights and periodic elections (but
2.
3.
4.
5.
in reality these were illiberal acts to appease the people – controlled
participation)
When/how did Russia become the USSR? 1917 revolutions – due in part to
the public demand for greater liberalism, then swayed by the Bolsheviks who
pointed to the abuses of capitalism to gain support for their rule.
How do communist societies define democracy? Equality, not freedom
Summarize politics in the USSR. One party (only one official ideology), voting
was not secret ballot, members of the party were given special privileges
Summarize Stalin’s rule. Ruthless, tyrannical – great purges, famines,
instilled fear in the live of everyone.