Contrasting Cold War Terms Communism v. Democracy
1.1A
Democracy American Perspective Soviet Perspective Best System of Government Majority Rules Historically, democracy had and still was being violated during the Cold War Argued that the U.S. was hypocritical to promote democracy and capitalism at the same time. True democracy works if everyone is rewarded equally in the economic system.
1.1B
Equality American Perspective Soviet Perspective Equality of Opportunity - same chance to succeed Equality before the Law - same treatment in legal system Equality of Condition- same material wealth in society Believed Equality of Condition was essential for a healthy society. Their citizens were provided with employment, health care, and other basic necessities. Top officials, however, still got the best housing
1.1C
Capitalism American Perspective Soviet Perspective Allows individuals to better themselves through hard work and individual initiative. Competition provides better quality at lower prices and brings out the best in society. Losers would look to the winners and work harder Is an evil system in which competition breeds selfishness and undermines cooperation and community. World poverty was due to capitalism. They wanted a cooperative utopia where cooperation was evident.
1.1D
American Perspective Individualism Soviet Perspective The outcome of A society built upon people s s lives are individualism determined by inner produces some drive and desire, not winners and many losers. outward circumstances Results in a society full of inequality and The basic human exploitation where the nature is competitive, winners take individualistic, and advantage of the acquisitive. losers
1.1E
Collectivism American Perspective Violates basic human nature, which is competitive rather than cooperative. Things like teamwork and sharing works against humankind s s essential nature and is doomed to failure. Collective ownership violates private ownership Soviet Perspective Cooperation and caring are the finest parts of human nature. The only way to create fairness in a society was for every factory and business to be owned collectively by all members of a society.
1.1F
Socialism American Perspective Government control over the means of production threatens one of the basic rights - to own and control property. Socialism inhibits individuals desire and ability to achieve betterment for society. Soviet Perspective Government ownership provided a means by which the wealth of a society could be evenly distributed to all the people. Only shared ownership could prevent the abuses of capitalism and protect the common people from exploitation.
1.1G
Totalitarianism American Perspective This is equivalent to a dictatorship and threatens basic human rights, such as freedom of speech Argued that a healthy and productive society could be achieved only when people could freely express their views. Soviet Perspective Totalitarianism was required to transform a society from an unequal one to one in which wealth was evenly distributed. It was then abandoned once a truly socialist state was established. Nearly 3 decades under Stalin stalled this effort
1.1H
Freedom American Perspective Freedom is at the core of a happy and productive society. American s s hold freedom in the highest regard. Many wars have been fought to preserve and promote the value of freedom. Soviet Perspective People are not free unless they have a fair share of wealth that allows them to live beyond basic needs. A redistribution of wealth was essential. The control of press and industry to prohibit would- be capitalists from exploiting and denying freedoms to the working class was necessary.
Overview of Key Cold War Terms American Terms Soviet Terms Capitalism Democracy Freedom Individualism Socialism Totalitarianism Equality Collectivism Which Society looks better to you? Is one more ideal? Is one more realistic?