trickle-down theory the economic theory that giving aid to corporations, for example, in the form of tax breaks or other benefits, results in a trickling down of benefits for employees and other citizens, ultimately resulting in stimulating the economy.
two-party system a political system having only two major parties, as in the United States.
unilateralism the use of military force without the assistance of other nations.
USA PATRIOT Act acronym for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, a bill signed into law in 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks to broaden the powers of law enforcement to conduct surveillance and searches, to tap phone lines, to inspect e-mails and financial records, and to detain foreign suspects on U.S. soil.
veto a president's objection to a bill in which the bill is returned unsigned to a legislature.
voice vote a vote in which all in favor say "yea" and all opposed say "no" or "nay."
vox populi Latin term for "voice of the people," a belief that the people as a whole have the ability to make the best political decisions.
waffle to hedge; to be wishy-washy and uncommitted to an opinion; to use weasel words.
Ways and Means Committee the tax-writing and other revenue-raising committee of the House of Representatives that oversees Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment benefits. All new tax bills must pass through this committee.
weasel words ambiguous or unclear language used by politicians.
welfare state a government that provides an economic safety net (welfare) to its citizens.
whip the assistant to the leader of a party in the House or Senate.
witch-hunt a hysterical investigation with rampant finger-pointing and blame-casting.
write-in on a ballot, the writing in of a candidate's name by a voter.
Government Forms, systems, and Philosophies
anarchy the complete absence of a governing force.
aristocracy a governing body composed of people born of upper-class parentage, with power handed down from generation to generation.
autarchy absolute power or sovereignty; a country under such rule.
autocracy a government or nation ruled by one powerful person, as a dictator.
autonomy independence from outside influence or rule.
Bill of Rights the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee, among other rights, the freedom of religious worship, of the press, and of assembly, and the rights to petition the government and to keep and bear arms.
capitalism an economic system based on free enterprise, in which property, companies, shops, etc., are privately owned and products and services are produced for profit.
collective any operation or governing system controlled by all the workers involved.
collectivism ownership and control of an operation or governing system by the people involved in it.
colonialism the governing or control of a dependency by a governing nation.
common law collective term for all the customary laws and principles handed down in society through the generations.
commonwealth a state or nation governed by its people.
communism a single-party ruling system in which the government restricts private property and controls the economic production and distribution of goods and services, which are equally shared among the people.
conservatism a political philosophy or platform characterized by a belief in traditional policies and values.
constitution a collection of written laws and principles used as a guide for government.
Constitution, U.S. the fundamental guiding laws and principles, including the Bill of Rights, or the document on which these are recorded, of the United States.
constitutional government any government employing the guiding principles of a constitution.
democracy a government run for and by the people through the power of their votes.
despotism a government in which one person has absolute power.
dictator one with absolute power; a despot.
dynasty rule handed down to family members from generation to generation.
egalitarianism a philosophy or system of equal rights for everyone.
fascism a form of government headed by a dictator, and often characterized by racist attitudes, an aggressive use of military and police forces, and a strong suppression of any socialist or democratic opposition.
federalism a system of government in which power is shared between a nation and its states.
feudalism a European system in effect from the ninth to the 15th century in which property owned by a lord was tended by vassals, who were required to pay dues and to serve in the military.
kingdom a territory ruled by a king.
liberalism a political belief system characterized by openness to change and progress and the granting of government aid to those deemed underprivileged or in need.
libertarian one who advocates free thought and action.
matriarchy a governing body ruled by one or more females.
meritocracy any group of leaders selected to office for their high IQs, achievements, or special abilities.
monarchy a government headed by a leader who inherits the position and remains in power for life, such as a king or an empress.
municipal referring to a local political unit, such as a city.
nationalism devotion to one's own nation and its independence from others.
Nazism totalitarian system or ideology of Adolf Hitler's National Socialist German Workers Party, characterized by expansionist goals, zealous nationalism, and notions of racial supremacy.
oligarchy government by a small group of people, such as a family.
Parliament the national legislature, composed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and an elected prime minister, of Great Britain.
patriarchy a governing body ruled by one or more males.
plutocracy a government composed of wealthy individuals.
police state a state in which the government represses citizens and any political opposition through a secret national police force.
principality any territory ruled by a prince.
puppet government a false government installed and controlled by another.
regency in a monarchy, one who is appointed to lead in place of another who is disabled or deemed too young for the position. Also the period during which the substitute rules.
republic any nation headed by a president and representatives elected to office by citizens.
socialism a social system based on collectivism.
sovereignty self-rule and independence.
technocracy a governing body headed by technical experts.
theocracy a governing body headed by religious leaders.
totalitarianism a system of absolute control by a single group, party, or dictator.