AFTER-READING activity. ♦ Read the text in more depth to do the «After-reading

♦ Read the text in more depth to do the «After-reading

exercises»

Ex. 1. Comprehension questions:

I Why must any account of political ideologies start with

liberalism?.'. Why is the state regarded as a 'necessary evil'? i What characterises 'economic liberalism'? i What is a distinctive feature of 'modern liberalism'? ^s What does 'neoliberalism' aim at? fi Why does government, however well intentioned, have a

damaging effect upon human affairs? 7 What is a 'nanny state' like? я What were the 'plusses' and 'minuses' of different forms of

conservatism formed in continental Europe and in the UK, and

the USA? ч What is the New Right philosophy? in What are the distinct aspects of neoconservatism?

Ex. 2. Terminology:

Look through the three sets of principles/elements and decide whic h ideology they belong to:Socialism, Liberalism, Anarchism or (onservatism.

V

I Individualism reflects a belief in supreme importance of human individual as opposed to any social group or collective body.

2. Ereedom arises from a belief in the individual and desire to ensure that each person is able to act as he or she pleases or chooses. But «freedom under law» is advocated, as it is recognised that one person's liberty may be a threat to the liberty of others.

3. Equality implies a belief in fundamental equality, that is individuals are «born equal».

4. Toleration,the willingness of people to allow others to speak, to think and act in ways of which they disapprove.

5. Consent Government must be based on the consent of the governed.

6. C onstitutionalism - belief in limited government which can be attained through establishment of a codified or 'written' constitution that defines the relationship between the state and individual.

B.

1. Tradition is respect for established customs, and institutions that have endured through time. It has the virtue of promoting stability and security.

2. Pr agmatism,the belief that actions should be shaped by practical circumstances and practical goals, that is by 'what works'.

3. H ierarchy,gradation of social position and status is natural and inevitable in an organic society.

4. Authority is always exercised 'from above', providing leadership, guidance and support for those who lack the knowledge, experience or education to act wisely in their own interests.

5. Propert y ownership is vital because it gives people security and a measure of independence from government and it encourages them to respect the law and property of others.

С

1. Eraiexnity-'brotherhood', but broadened in this context to embrace all humans.

2. Eqjialtty,as a form of e galitarianism. the belief in the primacy of equality over other values.

3. Need,belief that material benefits should be distributed on the basis of need, rather than on the basis of merit or work.

4. Community,the vision of human being as social creatures linked by the existence of a common humanity.

5. Co mf""" ownership as a means of generating broader equality.

♦ Work with the dictionary and consult the text to do ex. 3, 4

K\. 3. Translate from English into Russian:

Liberalism emerged as a developed political creed; this position is underpinned by a deep faith in the mechanisms of the free market; die economy works best when left alone by government; an updated vision; the neoliberal goal is to «roll back the frontiers of the state»; io deliver efficiency, growth and widespread prosperity; to sap initiative; such divisions were apparent; to embrace the cause of social ii'liirm; a departure in conservative thought; to constitute a coherent.iikI systematic philosophy; to generate social cohesion; conflict-mklen and inherently unstable.

Kx. 4. Translate from Russian into English:

Объять широкий спектр противоположных ценностей и убе­ждений; приверженность крайней форме индивидуализма; навя-i;ub обществу коллективную волю; вмешательство государства; фундаментальные (основополагающие блоки); порождать ижди-ш'мчество; более осторожная и гибкая форма консерватизма; под патерналистским знаменем; соединить две различные тен-ичщии; недоверчиво (пессимистически) относиться к ч-л.

Кх. 5. Fill in the gaps in column 'A' with the topical vocabulary units from column 'B\ making all necessary changes

A. B.

I This law... for a few a. to trace something back,

months but mass media account

have made no comments,

yet,
1. The witness gave his b. to be in effect

evidence at the trial and

the jury...
V... the history of political с to take it into account

ideologies the scientists

came to the conclusion

that any... of political

ideologies must start with

liberalism.
I Although liberalism did d. to promote

not emerge as a developed

political creed until the

XIX century liberal

 

e. to accumulate

theories... during the previous 300 years.

f. from the very outset, on account of, the promotion g. to assert, a mere assertion h. to impose i. to assert oneself

j, to abandon oneself to

5.... liberalism appeared... the break down of feudalism and... of a market capitalist society.

6. Liberalism started... more influence and importance.

7. Later on it attacked absolutism and... a constitutional government.

8. By the early XIX century liberalism was capable of...

9. We can justifiably... that neoliberalism is an updated version of classical political economy and it is not... for its goal is 'to roll back the frontiers of the state'.

10. More and more

politicians... the idea that state-interventionalism has become the characteristic theme of modern liberalism.

Ex. 6. Fill in the blanks with either 'economic' or!f(-onomical'

1. The... and political change was symbolised by the French revolution.

2. An... creed developed that condemned all forms of government

intervention.

3. A form of social liberalism emerged which looked more favorably on the state's... intervention.

4. Economy must be...

5. We believe that economy works best when the approach to spending is most....

6. Conservative ideas rose as a reaction against the growing pace ot... and political change.