You have accessed WeakleyReport's dictionary of political terms. Much effort is put towards making this a resource that is easy to use, factually reliable, and educational.

How to use the Fast Facts dictionary:
Many definitions include words that serve as links to other terms, people, or time periods and events. This has been designed for you as a self-guided learning tool. Also, the "Read More..." feature allows you to read as much as you want about a particular subject in greater detail. Look for this feature at the end of selected definitions. Important: use the alphabetical letters on this page to navigate back to the top of the page and to the different sections.

Terminology
.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y
 

A

Administration          The officials in the executive branch of government under a particular chief executive.  Also used to refer to the period of time or term in office of presidents.  Ex: the Kennedy Administration.  In lesser terms it is used in describing a government agency. Ex: The Food and Drug Administration. 

Agenda          In parliamentary terms it is an order of business, outlined and written down.  Robert's Rules of Order requires such agendas to be detailed and the information to be itemized in order to keep the form familiar for the members of a regularly meeting assembly.  The order of business cannot be deviated from.  An agenda is also the political goals of a group of people, typically a political party or organization, trying to influence public policy, the executive and/or legislative branches, or society in general. 

Aristocracy          The term "aristocracy" is derived from Ancient Greece from the two words "aristo" meaning "best" and "kratia" meaning "to rule".  In the ancient Greek definition aristocracy was understood to mean rule by the most educated or qualified.  In today's language we would understand this as specialization or managing, as in a city manager, instead of a mayor.  However the term is ambiguous in its meaning since everyone has a different understanding of what qualifies "best". 
Read More...

Authoritarian          Pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group.

Authority          Legitimate power vested in a person or entity. The government exercises power with authority given by the consent of the people, though a military force can suppress public freedoms and seize authority by the use of force.

B

Bicameral          Used to describe the legislative body of a government when the legislative branch has two chambers or houses within itself.  A system of government that recognizes the separation of powers may have either a unicameral or bicameral legislature.  Bicameral legislatures are typical of Federal governments.  Ex: Canada, Germany, India, and the United States of America.   Some European governments have bicameral legislatures that developed under monarchies.  An example of a bicameral legislature in a constitutional monarchy is the British Parliament with the upper House of Lords, and the lower House of Commons.

C

Capitalism          An economic system that offers individuals the opportunity to take advantage of circumstances for a profit.  People are free to choose their own career paths.  The government does not normally mandate requirements on the person or company.  Businesses decide what and how much of a product or service to produce, how much to sell it for.  Businesses are free, to certain extents, when competing with other companies for paying customers.  Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, is an important economist responsible for the development of capitalistic ideas.  An example of capitalism is the United States during the Industrial Revolution before 1900 A.D. 

Communism          An economic system that requires complete ownership of the economy by the central government.  All persons are employed by the government.  All land, resources, and money are owned by an often authoritarian government party.  The party in charge of the government is often unchallenged because of laws restricting freedom of expression and assembly, which otherwise might allow for opposition to challenge the authority of the ruling party.  An example of communism is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from 1922-1991 which was ruled by such tyrants as Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin.

Congress          World: The legislative body of a state that practices Separation of Powers under the presidential/congressional model of government.  U.S.A.: The bicameral legislative branch of the Federal Government, a continuous system composed of the Senate, and House of Representatives. Read More...

Congressional System/Model          see also Presidential System/Model.  A system of democratic government that recognizes a certain greater level of Separation of Powers by placing the executive branch separate from the legislature.  This is different from the Westminster System.

Constituents          The citizens of an elected representative. This term can refer to only the people who voted for a representative, though

Constitution          The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government.

Continuous System          Referring to the legislative branch of a congressional system of government that does not change identity during a period of time.  The U.S. Congress is a continuous system in that every two year period marks the only change (other than resignation or death) in membership of Senators and/or Representatives by process of popular elections.  An example of a non-continuous system in a democratic government is the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and some others based off of the Westminster System. 

D

Democracy           a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system. Wholly, or in degrees, government by the people.  Read More...

Democratic Party          one of the two main political parties of the United States, which follows a liberal agenda tending to promote a strong central government and expansive social programs.

Direct Representation          The issue of direct representation is a question of suffrage rights. It can be better understood by knowing where or from what the idea emerged. In American government the idea of direct representation is derived from the British concept of virtual representation in Parliament. In the British Empire of the seventeenth century it was understood that wealthy merchants who could vote or run for a seat in Parliament "virtually" represented all merchants, and so on according to class, profession, or location. This is contrasted greatly to the system America's Founding Fathers envisioned when they drew up a Constitution that divided representation among the several states to two representatives in the Senate and proportional representation according to population in the House of Representatives. Citizens are therefore assured representation and all the rights which follow from being able to petition the government and hold the government accountable.

E

Economic System          A system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that is defined and structured by a set of social institutions.

Economics          The social science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and with the theory and management of economies or economic systems. The subject involves the study of people's choices as it involves the limited resources and incentives to consume those resources. Social institutions are commonly designed to affect the production, distribution, and/or consumption of goods and services; defining the economic system.

Education          A lifelong process of absorbing knowledge, wisdom, and culture through various social institutions. The ways in which education is facilitated are also understood to be part of the social institution of education. Therefore the institution of the family or religion can be said to share part of the institution of education with more formalized education in schools and universities.

Electoral College          a body of people representing the states of the U.S. who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. 
Read More...

Eminent Domain          power given to the government or its agent to seize private property for public use, with payment of compensation.  Read More...

Electorate          all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Ethics          definition

Executive Branch          the person or branch of government, in a system of government which recognizes the separation of powers, or some variation of it.  This branch, particularly its head is referred to as president or any equivalent title, and is responsible for putting laws and policies of the legislative and judicial branches into effect.  In the U.S. the President of the United States is head of the Executive Branch.  Before any Bill of Congress can take effect it must be signed by the president.  The president has the power to veto any bill, though can be overruled by a two-thirds vote of Congress.  The President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, including the national guards of each state.  With Senate approval the president can enter into treaties, appoint officers of the United States to positions created by law in Congress, and in period of recess may appoint officers with commissions which will expire at the end of the next session of the Senate. 

F

Federalism          a system of government used typically in democratic-republics which decentralizes power from the national government and gives power to the states which form the country.  Governments which operate under federalist systems are more likely to have greater separations of power, thus protecting the rights of citizens and states in the process from a potentially oppressive central government. 

Founding Fathers          a member of the convention that drew up the U.S. Constitution in 1787.  However many consider others to be worthy of the same title
Read More...

Framers          definition

G

Geography          a component of power potential

Government          A social institution with the authority to exercise power or powers, and possessing the ability to execute power. The political structure of a nation or state. (include unitary, federal, and confederal)  Read More...

H

House of Representatives          one of the two houses of the United States Congress, the other one being the Senate.  The number of Representatives has been set by law at 435.  Representation in this house is based upon population.  A single term is two years.  The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer.  Read More...

I

IDF          Acronym for Israeli Defense Forces.  Comprising the Israeli Army, Navy, and Air Force the IDF was formed after the founding of Israel in 1948 to "defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of Israel" and "to protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life."  Read More...

IGO          definition

Impeachment          definition

Institution          definition

J

Judicial Branch          definition

Judicial Review          (US) power given only to the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of a legislative act.  This means that the Court can decide to rule on the constitutionality of an Act of Congress or the President without having a legal case brought before it, such as Jane Doe v. John Doe.  (UK) the procedure by which a court can review an administrative action by a public body and (in England) secure a declaration, order, or award.

K

L

Legislative Branch          definition  Legislature

Liberal          There are two definitions of this word.  The classical usage of this word describes libertarian ideas of the American Founding Fathers which typically characterized Whigs and Anti-Federalists.  To be liberal meant to stand for the rights of persons to participate in government and for the maintenance of a government that was by the people and for the people.  Webster's Dictionary reflects the changes in the meaning of that word.  Liberal has now come to mean something much more than a respect for the sovereignty of the individual.  Liberalism now means the embracing of social changes and radical equality that challenge many of the foundational structures of Western culture.  The term is often associated with some members of the Democratic Party.  Read More...

Lower House          definition

M

Marxist Theory          definition Read More...

Mobocracy          definition

Monarchy          There are two types of monarchies.  Constitutional monarchies limit the powers of the royal head of state.  Many constitutional monarchies are former colonies and territories of the United Kingdom.  Many of those nations make up what is known as the Commonwealth today.  Absolute monarchies on the other hand have a head of state with a great deal of authority over the government.  They do not have to be dictators, nor do they have to be associated with tyranny.  Absolute monarchies differ from authoritarian republics, military governments, and communist governments.  Read More...

N

Nation          In the strictest sense of the word a nation refers to the ethnic makeup of a people that defines and often unites them politically. Political identification is not necessary however to be classified as a nation. A country is simply identified as a geographical location whereas a state denotes the legitimized administrative decision making institution, or government. The United Nations actually represents states - unless of course a nation also has possession of a geographical county and is organized into a state, whereby the state would then be known as a nation-state.

Natural Law          a system of unchanging moral principles regarded as the basis for all human conduct.  An observable law relating to natural phenomena.  The popular ideas of Natural Law which shaped the thinking of political philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries view Natural Law as the laws of creation as God designed it.  While man is given free will and reason, he does not exist in this universe a lawless creation.  In the very constitution of his nature, he too has a law laid down for him, reflecting that ordination and direction of all things, which is the eternal law.  Those actions which conform with its tendencies, lead to our destined end, and are thereby constituted right and morally good. 

Nepotism          Favoring relatives for important tasks, typically political appointments or for business contracts, rather than the person most qualified.  The word comes from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew". In the Middle Ages, some Catholic popes and bishops, who had taken vows of chastity, raised their illegitimate sons as "nephews" and gave them preferences. Several popes are known to have elevated nephews and other relatives to the cardinalate. Often, such appointments were used as a means of continuing a papal "dynasty".

NGO          Abbreviation for Nongovernmental Organization.  Either a nonprofit or for-profit organization that was not setup by a government or group of nations.  Nonprofit organizations can be social, cultural, legal, or environmental and obtain at least some of their funds from private sources.  Some examples of NGOs are Freedom House, World Vision, and Green Peace.  Not to be confused with organizations like the United Nations, or Organization of American States, these are known as Intergovernmental Organizations, or IGOs.

O

Oligarchy          a political regime where most political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence). The word oligarchy is from the Greek for "few" and "rule".  Read More...

P

Parliament          Many countries have a legislative body which may or may not be called parliament.  Parliaments can either be unicameral or bicameral bodies that recognize some Separation of Powers.  For instance the Prime Minister (or any other term used to describe the leader of the executive branch) is in many cases elected by the other members of parliament, and not directly by the people.  (In the U.S. the Electoral College assumes this power).  The head of state, typically a person of royalty, is not given the same powers as parliament.  Parliaments can be found in many former British colonies (members of the Commonwealth) or nations that have had a lot of Western influence. 

Parliamentary Procedure          A set of rules that govern the meetings of large bodies, often government entities, for the purpose of making the proceedings of each meeting democratic.  The principle understanding is that all members of the assembly who have been elected to their office are equal to all other members of that same assembly, and have the rightful expectation to the privileges and opportunities afforded to all the other members. 

Parliamentary System          a system of democratic government

Partisan          definition

Plutocracy          definition

Political Party          definition

Politics          definition

Power Potential          definition

President of the United States          The head of state and head of government for the United States federal government. The separation of powers into three branches of government would seem to make the the phrase "head of government" stand in contradiction to the United States Constitution, however the executive branch is responsible for the execution of the law as defined by Congress and the Supreme Court. Therefore federal agencies are under the direction of the president, yet only with the advice, consent, oversight, and regulation performed by Congress and other checks and balances with the legislative and judicial branches. Read More...

Presidential System/Model          see also Congressional System/Model.  A system of democratic government that recognizes a certain greater level of Separation of Powers by placing the executive branch separate from the legislature.  Of major significance is the inability or near impossibility of the executive power to dismiss or hinder the legislative branch. This is different from the Westminster System.

Prime Minister          definition

Public Opinion          definition

Q

R

Re-election          definition

Republican Party          Also known as the Grand Ole Party (GOP).

Rhetoric          definition

S

Semi-presidential System          a system of democratic government

Senate          A deliberative body, and often the upper house of bicameral legislative branches of government.  Members are typically appointed or popularly elected depending on the constitution of the country or political state. Read More...

Seniority          In the U.S. Congress the length of time a Senator or member of the House of Representatives has been in office generally determines what leadership positions the member is eligible for.  With a decent respect for the principles of parliamentary procedure the practice of seniority in the U.S. Congress is in violation of certain basic democratic principles.

September 11 Commission          Begun in 2002 the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States was an investigation by the United States Congress into the failures of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to prevent the attacks.  The report outlined America's preparedness for terrorist attacks, the immediate response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and made recommendations for future preparedness.  Read More...

Separation of Powers          one democratic model for dividing state authority into three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.  No model of absolute separation or lack of separation exists except in very strictly controlled dictatorships. Many states in the Americas follow a high degree of separation first modeled in the United States Constitution; known as a presidential system. Most European states follow a weaker model of separation of powers, known as the Westminster System after the United Kingdom, where executive powers are intertwined with legislative powers. 

Socialism          An economic system that emphasizes the partial ownership or restrictive control of industry and the economy by the government.  The production of goods and services is controlled by the national government.  The government plans and controls the direction of the economy to meet goals of production in areas like military industry and/or agriculture.  In Marxist Theory, socialism is the transitional stage between capitalism and communism in which the full ownership of the economy has not yet been realized.  An example of socialism is the United States during and since Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. 

Society          definition

Social Institutions          A structure, mechanism, or organization of people that socializes its members according the institutional culture. While any group assembled into an organization, whether a corporation or sports club, there are main subheadings for social institutions. Examples include: families, religion, education, economic systems, and government.

Sovereignty          definition

State          More commonly known as: nation, or country. 1). A political state or government organized into one or several institutions having the internal and external sovereignty over a definite geographical territory. 2). The people living in a nation or state regarded as a group. Depending on the use of the word both definitions can be implied. There are two theories regarding the nature of the state as a group of people. Read More...

Strategic Petroleum Reserve          (SPR) usually refers to an emergency petroleum store maintained by the United States Department of Energy, although in recent years several other countries have created their own SPR.  The U.S. SPR is the largest emergency supply in the world. Department of Energy SPR Report. World Fact Book data for daily U.S. oil consumption.

Supreme Court, United States          The United States Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the United States of America; holding both original and appellate jurisdiction. While the Supreme Court is the only branch of the Federal Government to have its members selected by the other two branches it is believed that this cooperation between the executive and the legislative branches to select judicial members adds to the neutrality of the court - therefore causing separation of powers. Lifelong terms in office support this separation as well, but the Court's real power comes from being able to persuade the public that its decisions are grounded in the Rule of Law and the Constitution of the United States.

T

Theology          definition

The Wealth of Nations          see Wealth of Nations, The

Tyranny          definition

Tyrant          definition

U

Unicameral          definition

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)          definition

Unitary          also Government

United States Supreme Court          definition

Upper House          definition

V

W

War Reserve Stocks          WRS for short, is a collection of war material held in reserve in pre-positioned storage to be used if needed in wartime. They may be located strategically depending on where it is believed they will be needed. In addition to military equipment, a war reserve stock may include raw materials that might become scarce during wartime. According to this definition, storage such as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve may be considered a war stock.

Wealth of Nations, The          definition

Western          definition 1) Culture.  2) Influence.  3) Philosophy

Westminster System          a parliamentary system that recognizes fewer separations of power than that of a presidential system. The Westminster System is a non-continuous system in that it allows for a government to be defeated. Read More...

Y