Political Terms Cleared-Up

Personal definitions, as my experience and education have taught me to understand. I do hope these terms and definitions assist your "understanding" somewhat better.

Definitions of Political Terms

By

Dahk Knox, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Absolutism - The principle or the exercise of complete and unrestricted power in government.

Autocracy - A government where uncontrolled or unlimited authority is in the hands of one person.

Conservatism – Represented by the Republican Party, or political Right. One who generally favors economic liberty, free markets, private property, privatization of business and lower taxes. They claim to want less, or limited Government. They prefer personal freedoms over equality and they support a strong national defense.

Democracy - A form of government to which the supreme power is vested in and exercised directly by the people or by their representatives elected under a free electoral system.

Dictatorship – One person assumes absolute control of a government and people without the free consent of the people. If the dictatorship is benevolent, there is usually a total consensus of support from the people.

Fascism - A totalitarian governmental system that emphasizes nationalism and racism and is led by a dictator.

Federalism – Serving and advocating a strong central government.

Totalitarianism - Centralized control by an autocratic authority with the citizenry being totally subject to that authority. The King and king only rules.

Socialism - A system of economic organization in which state owns and controls the basic means of production and where centralized planning, rather than market forces, determines the allocation of resources. A centralized government it considered best suited to its own goals and principles for existence, wherein it owns and distributes all wealth and social services within the state, usually collected by raising taxes. A perfect model would take from the rich and give to the poor so everyone was equal.

Communism - A system of social structure, so organized that it will eventually create a fully functional totalitarian state It is lead by a single self-appointed political party. It also controls all economic, political, military and social activity. Religion has no place in this system.

Capitalism - An economic system in which investment in, and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained by private individuals. This system supports private property and business ownership, and any legal means by which a person can make profit and keep it or do with it as he wishes.

Marxism - A system of thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, which is the basis for the theoretical principles of communism.

Nationalism - A single-minded and blindly directed devotion to the interests and goals of one's own country without the consideration of other peoples or their policies.

National Socialism - The principles and practices of a Nazi party, i.e., in Nazi Germany. Grounded in military authoritarianism, opposition towards democracy, and the belief in the physical, moral, and cultural superiority of the Nordic people; today it centers more on the White Race It idealizes the state and religion takes a far back seat and tolerated position.

Ochlocracy – Rule or government by a mob. This occurs when lost or misplaced common sense and good judgment are coupled with blind hatred and biased prejudice causing all manner of personal freedom and respect to lose their meaning. This is rule without right or representation; it is normally short-lived while always destructive and oppressive.

Progressivism - Favors an extreme liberal diplomacy over military action, stem-cell research, the legalization of same-sex marriage, secular government, stricter gun control, global warming and environmental protection laws. It also includes abortion rights, affirmative action and a belief that our domestic and foreign policy should conform with international directives. No one religious belief is correct. All religious beliefs are positioned linear and considered to be of equal status.

Progressive Liberal - Favors diplomacy over military action, stem-cell research, the legalization of same-sex marriage, secular government, stricter gun control, global warming and environmental protection laws. Also includes abortion rights, affirmative action and a belief that our domestic and foreign policy should conform with international directives as do

most general Progressives.

Republic – Is a state in which the supreme power lies with its citizens. They are entitled to vote. Government power is exercised by representatives voted into office.

Liberalism - Represented by the Democrat Party, or the political Left. Liberalism generally leans towards Democratic Socialism and even some degree of Marxism. Adherents support the welfare state, Social Security and Socialized Healthcare. They believe that by raising taxes, and redistributing wealth, government can eliminate the social inequalities they abhor.

States’ Rights - These are rights that each independent state, within a union, or coalition of states, maintains and are granted (being inviolable from without the laws or jurisdiction of said state), and not to be tampered with or by any other state or government that may attempt to impose its own set of laws or rights upon said state.

Civil Rights - Are rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and certain Congressional Acts.