Descriptionary

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.

tyranny an oppressive system in which one person is given absolute power.

welfare state a system in which the state takes responsibility for citizen education, employment, health care, and retirement needs.

International Relations

accord agreement or harmony between two nations.

alien one from another country; a nonnative or noncitizen.

alliance a joining of forces between two or more nations for economic or military reasons.

ally a friendly nation associated with another for a common cause.

ambassador the highest-ranking diplomatic official of a nation.

annex to acquire and incorporate a territory into a state.

asylum government's formal protection from extra­dition granted to a refugee.

attache a diplomatic official or staff member of an ambassador.

axis of evil term coined by former president George W. Bush, in describing Iran, Iraq, and North Korea, in 2002.