Federalism A system of government in which powers are divided between central government and smaller states or provinces.
Feudal system A medieval political system that consisted of small geographical units – such as principalities or dukedoms – ruled by the nobility, where the peasant population lived in a state of bondage to their ruler.
Fourth estate A theoretical institution consisting of the press and other forms of media. The term derives from the first three “estates” – classes of people – recognized by the French legislative assembly until the late 18th century: the Church, the nobility, and townsmen.
Fundamentalism The strict adherence to and belief in religious principles.
Glasnost Meaning “openness” in Russian, a policy introduced in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Gorbachev that committed the government to greater accountability and scrutiny.
Green politics An ideology centred around building an ecologically sustainable society.
Habeas corpus The right of an individual detained under accusation to appear before a court of law to have their guilt or innocence examined.
Imperialism The policy of extending the dominion of a nation through direct intervention in the affairs of other countries, and seizure of territory and subjugation of peoples in building an empire.
Isolationism A policy of withdrawing a nation from military alliances, international agreements, and sometimes even international trade.
Junta A clique, faction, or cabal, often military in nature, that takes power after the overthrow of a government.
Just war theory A doctrine of military ethics comprising Jus ad bellum – Latin for “right to war” – the need for a moral and legal basis for war, and Jus in bello – Latin for “justice in war” – the need for the moral conduct of warfare.
Kleptocracy Political and governmental corruption in which politicians, bureaucrats, and their protected friends exercise power for their own material benefit. From the Greek for “rule by thieves”.
Leftism, left wing Ideology of the political “left”. It is characterized by an interventionist approach to social welfare and an internationalist worldview. The concept originated in 18th-century France, when nobility who sought to improve the peasants’ conditions sat to the left of the king.
Legalism A utilitarian political philosophy adopted in China during the Warring States period, which stressed the importance of maintaining law and order using harsh punishment if necessary.
Liberalism A political ideology that stresses the rights and freedoms of individuals. Liberals may adopt a broad range of policies, including the defence of free trade, freedom of speech, and freedom of religious association.
Liberalism, classic A philosophy originating in the 18th century that advocates the rights of the individual over those of the state or Church, opposing absolutism and the divine right of kings.
Libertarianism The advocacy of liberty and free will. It can be found on both the political left and right and incorporates beliefs including self-reliance, reason, and non-interference by the state in economic and personal affairs.
Machiavellian Cunning, cynical, and opportunist political activity. From Niccolò Machiavelli, a 16th-century Florentine political theorist.
Maoism A form of Marxism-Leninism derived from the teachings of Mao Zedong. Its central tenet is that the agrarian peasantry can take the place of the proletariat in supporting revolution.
Marxism-Leninism An ideology based on the theories of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin that calls for the creation of an international communist society.
Marxian socialism A phase of economic development that Marx believed was an essential stage in the transition from a capitalist to a communist state.
Marxism The philosophy underpinning the writings of Karl Marx, proposing that the economic order of society determines the political and social relationships within it.
Meritocracy The belief that rulers should be selected on the basis of ability, rather than wealth or birth.
Moral absolutism A philosophy based on the notion that morality should be the absolute guide of human action, particularly in regard to international law.
Multilateralism The cooperation of multiple countries working together in international relations. The opposite of unilateralism.
Nationalism Loyalty and devotion to the home nation, and the political belief that its interests should be pursued as the primary goal of political policy.
Natural law The concept that positive and just laws rest upon a “higher law” – originally defined by Thomas Aquinas as reflecting God’s eternal law that guides the universe – which is attested to by common sense in most people.
Négritude An ideological position of solidarity based on shared black-African identity, developed by French intellectuals in the 1930s in reaction to the racism of French colonialism.
Oligarchy A form of government in which power is held by a small group and exercised in their own interest, usually to the detriment of the general population.
Pacifism The opposition to and campaign against war and violence as a means of resolving dispute, usually based on religious or moral grounds. The term was coined by French peace campaigner Émile Arnaud (1864–1921).
Partisan An absolute supporter of a particular political leader, party, or cause who typically exhibits unquestioning allegiance.
Perestroika Political, bureaucratic, or economic restructuring of a system or organization. From the Russian for “reconstruct”, it was first coined by Mikhail Gorbachev to describe reforms to the communist system in the former Soviet Union.
Pluralism The belief in a society in which members of diverse social or racial groups are able to express their traditional cultures or special interests freely and alongside one another.
Plutocracy A government that is controlled or greatly influenced by the wealthy in society.
Popular sovereignty The theory that sovereign political authority is vested in and equally shared by the citizens of a state, who grant the exercising of this authority to the state, its government, and political leaders, but do not surrender ultimate sovereignty.
Progressivism The doctrine of moderate political progress towards better conditions in government and society.
Proletariat In Marxist theory, the workers of a nation who own no property and must sell their labour to earn a living. Marx believed that it was inevitable that the proletariat would rise up and overthrow their capitalist masters, instituting a communist system under which they would exercise political and economic control.
Radicalism The advocacy of extreme forms of change to achieve political means. Also refers to beliefs that constitute a considerable departure from traditional or established beliefs.
Reactionism A political orientation opposing radical social change, instead favouring a return to a former political or social order.
Realpolitik Pragmatic, realistic politics, rather than that governed by moral or ethical objectives. Realpolitik may involve a loose approach to civil liberties.
Republicanism The belief that a republic – a state with no monarch, in which power resides with the people and is exercised by their elected representatives – is the best form of government.
Rightism, right wing The ideology of the political “right”, loosely defined as favouring conservative, pro-market attitudes, a preference for individual rights over interventionist government, a strict approach to law and order, and nationalism.
Segregationism The belief in the necessity to separate different races, classes, or ethnic groups from each other.
Sharia law The body of divine law in Islam that governs the religious and secular life of Muslims. Some Muslims argue that Sharia is the only legitimate basis for law.
Social contract An actual or theoretical agreement between individuals to form an organized society, or between individuals and a ruler or government to define the limits, rights, and duties of each. Theorists including Thomas Hobbes and John Locke defined the social
contract as the means by which individuals were protected by a governing power, and kept from the state of nature.
Social democracy A reformist political movement advocating a gradual transition from capitalism to socialism by peaceful, democratic means. Typical tenets include the right of all citizens to education, healthcare, workers’ compensation, and freedom from discrimination.
Socialism An ideology and method of government that advocates state ownership and regulation of industry, and central control over the allocation of resources, rather than allowing these to be determined by market forces.
Sovereignty Supreme power as exercised by an autonomous state or ruler, free from any external influence or control. Usually used to refer to a nation’s right to self-determination in internal affairs and international relations with other countries.
State of nature In social contract theory, the hypothetical condition that existed prior to the emergence of organized government. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, this condition was one of idyllic harmony between man and nature, whereas Thomas Hobbes depicts it as a dystopian state of man in constant conflict with his fellow man.
Suffrage The right to vote in elections or referenda. Universal suffrage refers to the right to vote of citizens regardless of their gender, race, social status, or wealth, while women’s suffrage describes the right of women to vote on the same basis as men, as campaigned for in the early 20th century by activists such as the “suffragettes”.
Syndicalism An early 20th-century ideology that emerged as an alternative to capitalism and socialism. Especially popular in France and Spain, it advocated the seizure of a nation’s means of production – and the overthrow of its government – in a general strike by workers’ unions, and the organization of production through a federation of local syndicates.
Theocracy A political system that is organized, governed, and led by a priesthood, or even a proclaimed “living god”, usually according to religious doctrine or perceived divine intervention.
Totalitarianism A regime that subordinates the rights of the individual in favour of the interests of the state, through control of political and economic affairs and prescription of the attitudes, values, and beliefs of the population.
Unilateralism Any action conducted in a one-sided manner. In politics, it often describes countries conducting foreign affairs in an individualistic manner, with minimal consultation with other nations, even allies. The opposite of multilateralism.
Utilitarianism A branch of social philosophy developed by Jeremy Bentham, which holds that the best policy at any given juncture is one that affords the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people.
Utopia An ideally perfect place. In politics, “Utopian” is applied to any system that aims to create an ideal society. From the Greek meaning “no place”, the word was first used in Thomas More’s fictional work Utopia (1516). See dystopia.
CONTRIBUTORS
PAUL KELLY, CONSULTANT EDITOR
Paul Kelly is a Pro-Director and Professor of Political Theory at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is the author, editor, and co-editor of 11 books. His main interests are British political thought and contemporary political philosophy.
ROD DACOMBE
Dr Rod Dacombe is Lecturer in Politics in the Department of Political Economy at King’s College, University of London. His research focuses primarily on democratic theory and practice, and on the relationship between the voluntary sector and the state.
JOHN FARNDON
John Farndon is the author of many books on the history of science and ideas and on contemporary issues. He also writes widely on science and environmental issues and has been shortlisted four times for the young Science Book prize.
A.S. HODSON
A.S. Hodson is a writer and former contributing editor of BushWatch.com.
JESPER JOHNSØN
Jesper Stenberg Johnsøn is a political scientist advising on governance and anti-corruption reforms in developing countries. He works at the Chr. Michelsen Institute’s U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre in Bergen, Norway.
NIALL KISHTAINY
Niall Kishtainy teaches at the London School of Economics, and specializes in economic history and development. He has worked for the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
JAMES MEADWAY
James Meadway is Senior Economist at the New Economics Foundation, an independent British think-tank. He has worked as a policy advisor to the UK Treasury, covering regional development, science, and innovation policy.
ANCA PUSCA
Dr Anca Pusca is Senior Lecturer in International Studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London. She is the author of Revolution, Democratic Transition and Disillusionment: The Case of Romania and Walter Benjamin: Aesthetics of Change.
MARCUS WEEKS
Marcus Weeks studied philosophy and worked as a teacher before embarking on a career as an author. He has contributed to many books on the arts and popular sciences.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Dorling Kindersley and Tall Tree Ltd would like to thank Sarah Tomley for contents planning, Alison Sturgeon and Gaurav Joshi for editorial assistance, Debra Wolter for proofreading, and Chris Bernstein for the index.
London, New York, Melbourne, Munich, and Delhi
Project Art Editor - Amy Orsborne
Senior Editor - Sam Atkinson
Managing Art Editor - Karen Self
Managing Editor - Esther Ripley
Publisher - Laura Buller
Art Director - Phil Ormerod
Associate Publishing Director - Liz Wheeler
Publishing Director - Jonathan Metcalf
Illustrations - James Graham
Producer, Pre-Production - Rachel Ng
Senior Producer - Gemma Sharpe
original styling by - STUDIO8 DESIGN
- DK Delhi
Senior Art Editor - Anjana Nair
Art Editor - Nidhi Mehra
Assistant Art Editors - Niyati Gosain, Vidit Vashisht, Namita, Gazal Roongta
Managing Art Editor - Arunesh Talapatra
Design Consultant - Shefali Upadhyay
Senior Editor - Monica Saigal
Assistant Editor - Archana Ramachandran
Managing Editor - Pakshalika Jayaprakash
Production Manager - Pankaj Sharma
DTP Manager/CTS - Balwant Singh
DTP Designers - Arvind Kumar, Rajesh Singh Adhikari, Syed Md Farhan, Dheeraj Arora, Bimlesh Tiwary
Picture Researcher - Surya Sankash Sarangi
produced for DK by - TALLTREE LTD
Managing Editor - Rob Colson
Art Direction - Ben Ruocco
Senior Editors - Richard Gilbert, Camilla Hallinan, Scarlett O’Hara, Sarah Tomley
First published in Great Britain in 2013 by Dorling Kindersley Limited, 80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL
A Penguin Random House Company
2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1 - 001 - 187978 - Mar/2013
Copyright © 2013 Dorling Kindersley Limited
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 9781409364450
This digital edition published 2015 - ISBN: 9780241209363
Discover more at www.dk.com
="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
The Politics Book Page 41
