Political Correctness: A Brief Introduction

The video explores the term 'political correctness,' tracing its origins from the 1700s to its modern usage. Initially used by socialists to critique communists, it was revived in the 1970s by the new left as a self-critical satire. In the 1980s, conservatives adopted it to critique liberal ideologies in academia. By the 1990s, it became a staple in cultural debates, with varying interpretations and uses across political spectrums. Today, the term is used to discuss media bias, academic freedom, and cultural issues, with figures like Donald Trump using it to challenge political norms.

What was the original context in which the term 'political correctness' was used?

• To promote gender-neutral language

• To support multiculturalism

• To criticize liberal ideologies in universities

• To describe a strict adherence to the Communist Party line

In the 1970s, how did the new left use the term 'political correctness'?

• As a serious critique of conservative policies

• To describe a new form of political ideology

• As a self-critical satire to avoid rigidity

• To promote strict adherence to party lines

Which book in 1987 contributed to the term 'political correctness' entering conservative discourse?

• The Closing of the American Mind

• The Wealth of Nations

• The Communist Manifesto

• The Road to Serfdom

What was a key point in George Bush Senior's 1991 speech regarding political correctness?

• It was irrelevant to modern politics

• It replaced old prejudices with new ones

• It was a necessary tool for social change

• It was a term used to promote free speech

How do some liberals view the term 'political correctness' today?

• As a necessary tool for social justice

• As an empty right-wing smear word

• As a way to promote free speech

• As a term to describe economic policies

What is one of the criticisms of political correctness in modern debates?

• It promotes scientific innovation

• It suppresses alternative views on controversial topics

• It encourages open discussions

• It supports traditional values

How has the term 'political correctness' been used in the context of universities?

• To support traditional curricula

• To encourage diverse viewpoints

• To limit discussions deemed offensive

• To promote academic freedom