Anarchism
The belief that government is unnecessary, and even harmful, and advocates instead a society based on voluntary cooperation.
Authoritarianism
Any form of government based on the imposition of authority demanding blind obedience, as opposed to individual freedom
Bureaucracy
The system or institutions of government administration, staffed by (non-elected) officials
Capitalism
The economic system in which trade and industry are wholly or mainly privately owned and operated for profit
Coalition
A formal agreement to co-operate between political parties. A coalition government, in a parliamentary system, is one in which two or more political parties come together to form a government
Communism
A socio-economic political system in which all property is owned by the community, and individual citizens contribute according to their ability, and receive according to their needs
Conservatism
The political ideology that seeks to retain traditional institutions and values, in particular the hierarchy of authority and inheritance, and to resist political and social change
Constitutionalism
The belief that a government’s power should be given and limited by a body of laws, the constitution, and its legitimacy is dependent on observation of these laws
Democracy
The form of government by the people or their representatives
Despotism
The form of government in which an individual or small elite rules with absolute power. The absolute ruler is often known as a dictator, or more pejoratively as a tyrant
Ecologism
The political ideology asserting that ecological and environmental issues should form the basis of political, social and economic systems
Executive (see Separation of Powers)
Fascism
An authoritarian form of government emphasising the primacy of the state, extreme nationalism, strong leadership and militarism, associated specifically with Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party in Italy
Federalism
“A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and smaller political units, such as states or provinces
Feminism
The collective term for the various movements advocating and promoting equal social, economic and political rights for women
Fundamentalism
The belief in strict adherence to a doctrine, in particular to traditional religious dogma
Globalisation
The increased interdependence of nation states, and the free movement of goods, money and labour across international borders
Government
1. The system by which a state is ruled
2. The group holding executive power in a state
Governance
The way a government governs; more specifically, the way in which policies are established and their implementation monitored
Hegemony
The dominance of one state, group or ideology over another
Ideology
The system of beliefs and ideas underlying a particular political or economic theory, and forming the basis for policy
Judiciary (see Separation of Powers)
Just War Theory
The doctrine that aims to ensure the moral justification of war and the way in which it is fought
Left wing
The political ideologies tending to advocate policies of social equality, social welfare and government intervention, such as socialism and communism.
Legislature (see Separation of Powers)
Liberal Democracy
A form of representative democracy characterised by protection of the rights of the individual, free and fair elections, and a separation of powers
A political ideology based on the freedoms and rights of the individual citizen. In the US, the term “liberal” is now used loosely (and often pejoratively) as synonymous with “left wing”
Libertarianism
The political philosophy advocating liberty and the exercise of free will, with little or no government intervention; this can range from laissez-faire market capitalism to utopian socialism and anarchism
Marxism
The economic and political philosophy of Karl Marx, focussing on class struggle, and the transition from capitalism to communism
Meritocracy
Government by people selected according to merit, for their particular abilities
Monarchy
Literally, the system of government by a single ruler, usually referring to the rule of a king or queen
Nazism
The ideology of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party led by Adolph Hitler, a form of fascism involving racist nationalism, imperialist ambition, and state control of the economy
Oligarchy
Government by a small group, or a dominant clique, family or class
Opposition
In a multi-party democracy, the major party or parties opposed to the governing party
Parliament
An assembly of elected representatives, usually the legislative authority of a state or multinational organisation
President
The elected head of a republic, the highest executive officer of a republican state
Realpolitik
Politics and diplomacy based on purely practical considerations, rather than philosophy or ideology
Republic
A state governed by elected leaders and an elected president, in which the people are citizens rather than subjects
Revolution
The overthrow and replacement of a government or political or social system, often by force
Right wing
The political ideologies tending to advocate conservative policies, with an emphasis on law and order, individual rights, free market economics, and non-interventionist government
Division of political power among separate, independent bodies: typically a legislature with the power to enact, amend, and repeal public policy; an executive with responsibility for the daily administration of the state; and a judiciary, with a system of courts to apply and interpret the law
Social Contract
The implicit agreement between the governed and the government to cooperate for mutual benefit and to give up some individual liberties in return for protection by the state
Socialism
The political ideology based on common ownership of the means of production and the abolition of privately-owned, profit-based trade and industry
Sovereignty
The right of a state to govern itself without outside interference; the authority a governing body has over such a state
Theocracy
Government by officials representing a religious authority, often clerics or priests, ruling by divine guidance and according to a specific religious doctrine
Totalitarianism
A form of government in which the political authority imposes absolute centralised power, citizens are subordinate to the state, and opposition is suppressed
Utopianism
Belief in the possibility of creating an ideal society, generally along socialist or anarchist lines