C244 words
Political Theory
Advanced vocabulary for political science and theory.
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Words in this collection
- sovereigntynounˈsɒvrəntɪThe supreme authority and power of a state to govern itself or another state, free from external control.
- legitimacynounlɪˈdʒɪt ə mə siThe quality or state of being legitimate, conforming to the law or to accepted standards or rules.
- constitutionalismnounˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəmAdherence to a system of constitutional government; belief in or support for a political system governed by a constitution.
- federalismnounˈfɛdərəˌlɪzəmA system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (e.g., states, provinces).
- pluralismnounˈplʊər əˌlɪz əmA condition or system in which multiple distinct groups, principles, or sources of authority coexist within a society or organization.
- corporatismnounˈkɔr pə rəˌtɪz əmAn economic and political system in which corporate groups, such as business, agricultural, and labour interests, are formally integrated into the governing process, often resulting in state control or heavy influence over the economy.
- meritocracynounˌmɛrɪtəˈkrætɪkA system where advancement is based on individual ability and achievement rather than wealth, class, or connections.
- oligarchynounˈɒlɪˌɡɑːkɪA small group of people having control of a country, organisation, or institution.
- plutocracynounpluˈtɒk rə siA system of government where the wealthy rule; government by the rich.
- tyrannynounˈtɪrənɪCruel, oppressive, and arbitrary use of power by a government or ruler.
- despotismnounˈdɛspəˌtɪzəmThe exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
- totalitarianismnountoʊˌtæl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əmA system of government that is centralized, dictatorial, and requires complete subservience to the state, suppressing all opposition and individual freedom.
- liberalismnounˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əmA political philosophy or ideology centred on the principles of individual liberty, equality, consent of the governed, and freedom from arbitrary authority.
- conservatismkənˈsɜr vəˌtɪz əmThe political and social philosophy that favours traditional values and institutions and opposes rapid, sweeping change.
- progressivismnounprəˈgrɛs əˌvɪz əmA social or political philosophy advocating reform, change, and progress, especially in areas of social justice, education, and government.
- anarchismˈæn ərˌkɪz əmA political theory and movement that advocates for a society without a state or coercive hierarchies, often believing that government is harmful and unnecessary.
- communismnounˈkɒmjʊˌnɪzəmA political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where the means of production (factories, land, resources) are owned and controlled collectively by the community or state, with the goal of establishing common ownership and distributing goods according to need.
- socialismnounˈsoʊ ʃəˌlɪz əmA political and economic theory advocating that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole, rather than by private individuals.
- fascismnounˈfæʃ ɪz əmA political ideology and system of government, originating in early 20th-century Europe, characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, extreme nationalism, suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.
- nationalismnounˈnæʃ ə nlˌɪz əmPatriotic feeling, principles, or efforts; an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or nation-state, often placing its interests above those of other nations or groups.
- internationalismnounˌɪntəˈnæʃənəˌlɪzəmThe principle or policy of cooperation among nations, extending beyond national boundaries.
- cosmopolitanismnounˌkɒz məˈpɒl ɪ tnˌɪz əmThe idea or state of being free from local or national prejudices and attachments, embracing a worldview that values global cultural diversity and human commonality.
- republicanismnounrɪˈpʌblɪkəˌnɪzəmA political ideology centered on the belief that a country should be a republic, with sovereignty vested in its citizens and their elected representatives, rather than in a monarch. It emphasizes civic virtue, popular sovereignty, and opposition to hereditary rule.
- democracynoundɪˈmɒkrəsɪA system of government in which the people hold the ultimate political power, typically exercised through elected representatives or by direct voting.
- theocracynounθiˈɒk rə siA system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of God or a god, and religious law is the basis of state law.
- aristocracyˌærɪˈstɒkrəsɪThe highest social class in a society, traditionally holding inherited titles and wealth, and often associated with land ownership and political power.
- bureaucracynounbyʊˈrɒk rə siA system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferation; a body of non-elected government officials; the administrative structure of a large organization.
- hegemonynounhɪˈɡɛmənɪPolitical, economic, or cultural leadership or dominance by one state or group over others.
- imperialismnounɪmˈpɪər i əˌlɪz əmA policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
- colonialismkəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəmA policy or practice by which a powerful country directly or indirectly controls and exploits another country or territory, settling its own people there and extracting resources, often imposing its culture and governance.
- neocolonialismnounˌniːəʊkəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəmA form of indirect control where a powerful country uses economic, political, and cultural pressure to influence and dominate a less powerful one, instead of direct military or political rule.
- militarismnounˈmɪlɪtəˌrɪzəmThe belief or desire of a government or people that a state should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
- pacifismnounˈpæs əˌfɪz əmThe belief that war and violence are morally unjustifiable and that disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
- protectionismnounprəˈtɛk ʃəˌnɪz əmThe economic policy of restricting imports from other countries through tariffs, quotas, or other barriers to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.
- unilateralismnounˌyu nəˈlæt ər əˌlɪz əmThe policy or practice of a state acting alone in international affairs without seeking cooperation or agreement from other nations.
- isolationismˌaɪsəˈleɪʃəˌnɪzəmA national policy or doctrine of avoiding political, economic, or military alliances and involvement with other countries.
- interventionismnounˌɪn tərˈvɛn ʃəˌnɪz əmA policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries, especially in political or economic matters, or a policy of government interference in economic affairs at home.
- statismnounˈsteɪ tɪz əmA political system where the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs.
- collectivismnounkəˈlɛktɪˌvɪzəmA political or economic theory advocating collective control, especially over production and distribution of goods; the principle of giving priority to group goals over individual goals.
- individualismnounˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəˌlɪzəmA social theory or principle that emphasizes the moral worth, rights, and independence of the individual over the collective, and a belief that individuals should live their lives as they see fit.
- egalitarianismnounɪˌgæl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əmThe belief that all people should be treated as equal and have the same political, economic, social, and civil rights.
- elitismnounɪˈliːtɪzəmThe belief or attitude that a society should be governed or dominated by a small, privileged group considered superior in intellect, wealth, or power.
- populismnounˈpɒpjʊˌlɪzəmA political approach that appeals to ordinary people by contrasting them with a privileged elite.
- technocracynountɛkˈnɒk rə siA system of government or management by technical experts.