This is a random list of words often used in politics. Some political ideologies are excluded due to their complexity. These meanings are mostly taken from oxford dictionary and others when needed like Meriam-Webster
Anecdote - a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Ancedotal evidence - refers to information gathered through personal experiences or observations, rather than through rigorous scientific methods or statistical methods or statistical analysis.
information gathered through personal experiences or observations, rather than through rigorous scientific methods or statistical analysis.
Antisemitism - A meaningless term weaponised by israel. The term was first used in 1879 by German journalist Wilhelm Marr. The term was intended to describe something different from previous forms of anti-Jewish sentiment, giving a racial and scientific gloss to anti-Judaism. This is hugely problematic because a semite is someone who speaks a semitic language, which is the whole of the middle east not just the jews. furthermore just over half the worlds said "jews" dont live in israel or speak Hebrew so arent even semites.
Capitalism - is the economic system that countries and people in the west as in Europe and North America, Australasia /OECD countries live and operate in and many of the other countries are moving towards. The strict definition of Capitalism is a system where the means of production (factories, land, money) , distribution and exchange are privately owned, and so is the profit generated. Karl Marx also said capitalism is where capital directs the mode of production, and argued that capitalism began at the point the very rich were able to use capital (accumulated wealth) to take over control of production (as mercantile traders never could) i production .
There is no definite start date for capitalism but we can say it kicked into full force with the industrial revolution in mid to late 1700's.
Under capitalism it is not necessary that all the goods and services (incl labour) are sold and bought on a competitive free market but it’s the most efficient form of it and is synonymous (identified) with it. Versions of socialism advocate for a free market.
Capitalism is intimately tied up with imperialism and colonisation and it both forced it and benefited from it. Thou thou how much is contentious and depends on which wing you fall into too.
Commodification - This chapter presents a novel theory of commodification. According to Marx, commodification is a process by which exchange value comes to dominate use value.
Commodities - Marx also defined capitalism as a system of generalised commodity production. A commodity is simply something produced solely for sale on a market depending on how much can be sold. Nothing to do with its use (need) value. Today everything is a commodity including money and economics - Before I launch into Karl Marx's ignored criticism of capitalism that’s kept hidden from you all, I should mention that economics' most common description is the “distribution of scarce resources”. Notice fair is missing from that statement .Yet we mistakenly believe today of economics as the desire and ability to increase money/wealth. As all we hear from politicians talk about how much GDP ($ in circulation measurement) is growing or shrinking and how much they want to increase it. The value of something is measured only in terms of money. We measure the value of things in terms of how much they cost to buy. We even think that money is the source of wealth in society. Marx of course showed this untrue. After all, how could money build a car or building, it cannot, humans (labour) do that.
Communitarianism is a political and social philosophy that values community and the connection between individuals and communities. It emphasizes the importance of balancing individual and community goals.
Conflate - verb -combine (two or more sets of information, texts, ideas, etc.) into one.
Corrupt (adjective and verb) comes from Middle English, from Latin corruptus, the past participle of corrumpere, meaning “to mar, bribe, or destroy” (cor- “altogether” + rumpere “to break”). It originally meant destroyed, spoiled, or unhealthy. Corruption is the noun form. Both words share the underlying idea of something being damaged, degraded, or diverted from its proper state.
In computing, this meaning is straightforward: when a file or program is corrupt, it has been damaged or altered so that it no longer works as intended.
When applied to governments or officials, the meaning is more specific. Corruption usually refers to dishonest or fraudulent conduct, especially involving bribery or personal gain. While this still reflects the idea of something being “spoiled,” it emphasizes unethical behaviour rather than general dysfunction or breakdown.
Deep state - The term deep state originated in Turkey (derin devlet) in the 20th century, referring to a clandestine network of military, intelligence, and political elites believed to manipulate the government. It later gained prominence in Western discourse, often used to describe hidden power structures within governments.
So the term deep state typically refers to an entrenched network of bureaucracies, intelligence agencies, and government officials operating independently of elected leadership to maintain control over policy and resist significant changes. Critics argue this "shadow government" pursues its own interests, often undermining democratic governance.
Donald Trump has used deep state to describe federal bureaucracies, particularly agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DOJ, intelligence community and political opponents that he claims worked to undermine his presidency. This includes accusations of leaks, the Russia investigation, and resistance from career officials. Trump positions himself as an outsider battling this entrenched establishment to regain control for the American people , As the problem with USA politics along with immigration
Connection to Conspiracy Theories - Trump’s deep state rhetoric thou separate resonates with far-right movements like QAnon, which allege a secret elite controls the government and global systems, including pedophiles. While Trump avoids directly endorsing QAnon, his language amplifies these conspiracies, and hes retweeted Qanons tweets, blurring the line between political critique and unfounded claims.
Representative Democracy - The political system where a voter /citizen/human elects someone else to make decisions/actions for him/her/it. This is all the Western countries.
Participatory Democracy - The political system where a voter /citizen/human participates directly in the actual decisions/actions being made by the government . This is ideal.
Dictator
Aristocracy -espoused by plato
Polity -espoused by Aristotle here
Consensus
True democracy is impossible as explained by being mathmatically impossible leaving out socialists biggest criticism - capital pressures politicians to make decisions not voters.
Dictator - Originally a Roman invention, a dictator was an official appointed during times of crisis, granted absolute authority for a limited period—usually six months—to make decisions swiftly without the usual checks of the Roman Republic. This role was temporary and subject to legal constraints.
In modern usage, however, a dictator refers to a ruler with total or near-total power over a country, typically one who has obtained and maintains control through force, suppression of political opposition, and the erosion or elimination of democratic institutions. Unlike the Roman model, modern dictators often rule indefinitely, centralizing authority and limiting personal freedoms to maintain their grip on power. Often passing power to their children for dynastic control when necessary.
Dunning-Kruger effect - is a cognitive bias where individuals with limited knowledge or competence in a specific domain overestimate their own abilities, while those with higher competence may underestimate their relative skill levels. This phenomenon occurs because the lack of expertise leads to poor self-assessment, causing the unskilled to be unaware of their deficiencies. Conversely, experts may assume that tasks that are easy for them are also easy for others, leading to underestimation of their own abilities.
Economics - The most used description by mainstream economists is Lionel Robbins 1932 description "Economics is the science that studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce resources which have alternative uses" or in short "the distribution of scarce resources" . It came out of philosophy, sociology and morality thou theres no reference to fair or just in that definition. Its definition is still contentious and more modern economists say hunter gather societys lived in scarce times but they dont have economies . Modern definition come after agriculture and civilisation produced surplus. Ergo modern economies have 2 conditions ;scarcity of resources which are finite and surplus of production so resources are not scarce day to day. Giving something like "the allocation of scarce resources in the production of and distribution of surplus output"
Yet we mistakenly believe today of economics as the desire and ability to increase money/wealth. As all we hear from politicians talk about how much GDP is growing or shrinking and how much they want to increase it. The value of something is measured only in terms of money. We measure the value of things in terms of how much they cost to produce or buy. We even think that money is the source of wealth in society, when it is not.
Heres a reasonable summary of various economics Every Major Economic Theory Explained in 20 Minutes. Note Austrian school is same time and part of neo classical economics (1870s) . And, classical economics , supply side economics, monetarism and neo classical economics is all practised as neo liberalism today. Which all modern western governments practise including keynesianism (aka modern liberalism) when needed.
Economist explains why uni education on economics is bad its even worse than being just capitalist economics I learnt at university.
.In modern U.S. politics, particularly among right-wing populist movements, the term elite is often used pejoratively to describe an out-of-touch, self-serving group disconnected from the values and needs of "ordinary" people. It is frequently applied to vague and undefined targets such as liberal politicians, intellectuals, Hollywood figures, or media personalities, accusing them of promoting progressive agendas or globalism. This ambiguity allows the term to fit various narratives, including conspiracy theories about secretive ruling classes, and reinforces populist anger and anti-intellectualism by contrasting these groups with the "common man." Critics argue that this framing oversimplifies societal problems by scapegoating an ill-defined "elite," diverting attention from systemic issues like economic inequality and corporate power.
Connecting to aristocracy which derives from the Greek aristos ("best") and kratos ("power"), meaning "rule of the best." While elite often implies merit-based superiority, aristocracy traditionally refers to hereditary privilege, linking both concepts to prominence and governance by a select few.
Establishment - In politics, the establishment refers to the dominant, entrenched power structures within a society, including political leaders, major political parties, corporate elites, and influential institutions like the media, financial systems, and bureaucracy. It represents the status quo—the individuals and groups who hold significant power and influence over governance, policy-making, and societal norms.
Origins of the Term - The term gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., to criticize the perceived old guard or elite networks that resist change and protect their own interests. It often conveys a sense of opposition to outsiders or reformers challenging these entrenched powers.
American Usage - In the U.S., the establishment is commonly used to describe the political and economic elites of both major parties who prioritize maintaining existing power structures over significant reform. It became especially prominent during the 2016 election, where figures like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders framed their campaigns as battles against establishment politicians.
Execution - originally a similar meaning to prosecute - late 14c., "a carrying out, a putting into effect; enforcement; performance (of a law, statute, etc.), the carrying out (of a plan, etc.)," from Anglo-French execucioun (late 13c.), Old French execucion "a carrying out" (of an order, etc.), from Latin executionem (nominative executio) "an accomplishing," noun of action from past-participle stem of exequi/exsequi "to follow out"
Carrying out a execution on a plan or computer program is clearly different than an execution of a human being is carrying out capital punishment often shortened to execution.
- previously meant truth - increasingly post trump that has to be prefexed by true fact
Fascism -A government and economic system led by a strong dictator with complete power, operating militarily and forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism. It controls all sectors—business, industry, commerce, and labor—while emphasizing aggressive nationalism. The ideology promotes the belief in a once-great nation, built on blood and soil, that must be restored to its former glory through a strong, warrior-like leader or messiah, often expanding state power and territorial ambitions. The regime enforces a strict moral code, banning anything considered sinful or misleading to ‘good, hardworking, God-fearing people.’
While capitalism may persist, it operates under the firm control of the government, often led by a military junta. Independent unions are banned and replaced with state-controlled syndicates, implementing a form of national syndicalism to suppress class conflict. The regime claims that capitalists and workers share the same interests, using state-controlled labor organizations to eliminate class struggle.
This system was initially developed by Mussolini in Italy in 1919, becoming dictator in 1924. Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Japan adopted similar fascist systems in the 1930s, influenced by the Great Depression and militarisation."
Federacy v confederacy - federacy has a more centralized government with greater power over the states, whereas a confederacy involves a looser union where the states retain more independence and sovereignty from the central state.
Fordism - Fordism, a specific stage of economic development in the early 20th century. The name from the use in manufacturing industry of the methods pioneered by Henry Ford, typified by large-scale mechanized mass production. Henry Ford helped popularize the first meaning in the 1920s, and Fordism came to signify modernity in general.
In its second meaning, Fordism has been analyzed along four dimensions. First, as an industrial paradigm, it involves mass production of standardized goods on a moving assembly line using dedicated machinery and semiskilled labour. Second, as a national accumulation (or growth) regime, it involves a virtuous cycle of mass production and mass consumption. Third, as a mode of regulation, Fordism comprises (1) an institutionalized compromise between organized labour and big business whereby workers accept management prerogatives in return for rising wages, (2) monopolistic competition between large firms based on cost-plus pricing and advertising, (3) centralized financial capital, deficit finance, and credit-based mass consumption, (4) state intervention to secure full employment and establish a welfare state, and (5) the embedding of national economies in a liberal international economic order. Fourth, as a form of social life, Fordism is characterized by mass media, mass transport, and mass politics.
The Fordist mode of growth became dominant in advanced capitalism during postwar reconstruction and is often credited with facilitating the long postwar boom. (along with Keynesian) britannica/Fordism
Freedom - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants. the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Freedom, while commonly defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants, varies significantly for different groups, especially when viewed through the lenses of liberal democracy, socialism, and religious beliefs.
In liberal democracy, freedom is often framed as the ability to do what you want, as long as you don't infringe on others' rights. This concept is reinforced by government structures that guarantee certain rights and liberties, like freedom of speech or freedom from oppression. In this context, freedom is largely understood as "negative freedom" — the absence of external interference, particularly from the government. It emphasizes individual rights, often protected by law, allowing people to pursue their interests without unnecessary restrictions.
For workers under capitalism, the notion of freedom is starkly different. In a capitalist system, workers are seen as having limited freedom because their economic choices are constrained by exploitation and wage labor, which is viewed as a form of "wage slavery." The system is designed to prioritize capital accumulation, often at the expense of the worker’s autonomy. In contrast, socialism envisions a society organized around cooperation, where resources and power are shared equitably. Here, the goal is "positive freedom" — the freedom to achieve one's potential and live a life of dignity, not bound by economic necessity or exploitation. In a socialist system, the idea of freedom extends beyond simply being free from interference; it includes the freedom to participate fully in social and economic life without being subject to oppressive hierarchies, potentially eliminating the need for institutions like police and prisons (in theory).
From a Christian perspective, freedom may be viewed quite differently. Many Christians intuitively see true freedom not as the ability to do whatever one desires, but as the ability to live within the bounds of divine will. This restriction of personal autonomy is not seen as oppression but as a form of freedom, where the individual surrenders control to a higher, transcendent authority — God. In this view, freedom involves a spiritual liberation from sin, rather than an absence of external restrictions. Paradoxically, Christian teachings on freedom emphasize that true freedom comes through submission to God's will, which might seem counterintuitive from the perspective of liberal or socialist freedom. Thus, for many Christians, freedom is not merely the absence of restriction but the fulfillment of a higher moral purpose.
In summary, the concept of freedom is subjective and differs significantly depending on the societal context and the underlying values. In liberal democracies, freedom tends to focus on individual autonomy and protection from government interference; in socialist thought, it extends to the ability to live without economic exploitation; and in religious frameworks, freedom is understood as spiritual liberation, sometimes requiring personal restraint.
Grifter - Related to grafter - originally a hard worker but came to mean a person who obtains money or other advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means. . Previously George Plunkitt a 19thc politician argued that it is absolutely legitimate for politicians to take advantage of any opportunities that they come across. He upheld the right of politicians to line their pockets, as long as they did so legally. Plunkitt looked down on “dishonest graft,” which included corruption and blackmail.
Grifter first appeared in print in 1915, in George Bronson-Howard’s novel, God’s Man. At that time, a grifter referred to any kind of criminal who used his wits, rather than brute force, to carry out crimes. Pickpockets, con artists, and card-sharps could all be classed as grifters.
Today, in politics, "grifter" generally refers to someone who exploits political movements, ideological viewpoints, or public trust for personal financial gain. This can include politicians, propagandists, or media personalities who push an ideological narrative—not necessarily out of genuine belief, but because it is profitable. They may sell books, run donation schemes, or monetize outrage from podcasts etc , while misleading their followers for self-enrichment.
Hyperbole - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally .
Indoctrination - the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.
Intellectual dark web (IDW) is a loose affiliation of academics and social commentators who oppose what they perceive as the influence of left wing identity politics and political correctness in higher education and mass media.
IQ [test] - IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is a numerical score derived from standardized tests designed to assess cognitive abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and processing speed. These tests aim to measure logical reasoning (e.g., pattern recognition), verbal comprehension (e.g., vocabulary and reading ability), working memory (e.g., mental arithmetic and recall), and processing speed. However, IQ tests do not capture all aspects of intelligence, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, or real-world problem-solving skills.
Why Do IQ Tests Change? IQ tests are regularly updated for several reasons. One major factor is the Flynn Effect, which shows that average IQ scores tend to rise over time, requiring test adjustments to maintain a consistent scoring system. Additionally, early IQ tests were biased toward specific cultural and educational backgrounds, so modern versions aim to reduce these biases for fairer assessments. Advances in psychology and neuroscience also refine how intelligence is measured, leading to periodic revisions. Finally, test questions must be updated to prevent over-familiarity, ensuring that IQ scores remain meaningful.
What’s Wrong with IQ Tests? Despite their widespread use, IQ tests have significant limitations. They provide only a narrow measure of intelligence, focusing on specific cognitive skills while ignoring social intelligence, creativity, and adaptability. They also fail to account for the impact of education, environment, and socioeconomic factors on cognitive development. Even Alfred Binet, the original inventor of IQ testing, warned that intelligence is not a fixed trait and that IQ should not be used as a definitive measure of a person’s potential. However, the misuse of IQ scores in ranking individuals and making sweeping judgments about intelligence remains a persistent issue.
- - noun - (political) a supporter of liberalism - a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.
Monetarism is a macroeconomic concept, which states that governments can foster economic stability by targeting the growth rate of money supply. Essentially, it is a set of views based on the belief that the total amount of money (supply) in an economy is the primary determinant of economic growth and determinant in creating a stable economy . Based on a "Quantity Theory of Money,". The major tool is monetary policy to control money supply involves increasing or decreasing interest rates by governments.
Because until then governments used tariffs or subsidies and quotas to limit cheap imported goods in competition to local goods produced and sold locally to keep jobs along with Keynesian economics and thereby keep the local economy going.
Additional accompanying right wing policies are legislation (that pass more wealth and power to the capitalists). So it's lowering taxes (on the rich) , exploiting workers more so it means less government interference. Along with that goes a philosophy ( myth ) that it is up to individuals whether they work hard or not and become rich or not and nothing to do with the economic system. Accepting this turns us into individual consumers, workers, taxpayers and voters who are for the majority unable to change anything about our lives except to work harder to get ahead.Moral - 1) concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.
2) holding or manifesting high principles for proper conduct.
Morals are extremely subjective and are social constructs decided at the time for then or the future.
Moral - 1) concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour.
2) holding or manifesting high principles for proper conduct.
Morals are extremely subjective and are social constructs decided at the time for then or the future.
Neoliberalism - aka new liberalism Is the term given to moving the economic policies that dominated post WWII to the 1970s modern liberalism further to the right.. Its basically going back to classical liberalism (reducing government influence in the economy and moving to more market-oriented reform policies ; such as eliminating price controls, deregulation in banking/ capital markets and employment etc, lowering trade barriers and reducing state asset ownership through privatization, lowering tax rates esp on the rich and corporations and government austerity -less welfare.) along with economist Milton Friedman's ideas in the 1950s and since about using monetarist policy make the mythical free market work and supposedly to maintain a (stable) economy. This of course meant increased smashing of workers and union power. Scholars tended to associate it with the theories of economists working with the Mont Pelerin Society, including Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, and James M. Buchanan. First tested in a dictaorship in Chile 1973.
Nepotism baby or nepobaby - the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
Objectivism - philosophical system identified with the thought of the 20th-century Russian-born American writer Ayn Rand . Theres only one world , the world we see with our senses and believe what you can prove with logic and reason . Persue your own self interest not not collective or mutal interests. Based on aggresion principle.
Objectivism, a philosophy primarily associated with Ayn Rand, centers on the idea that reason is the primary tool for understanding reality, advocating for individual self-interest as the moral foundation, where people should pursue their own happiness through rational action, productivity, and independent thought, while upholding a system of laissez-faire capitalism with minimal government intervention, believing that individuals have a right to the fruits of their labor and should not be forced to sacrifice for others.
- Rationality: Reason is the primary means of acquiring knowledge and making moral decisions.
- Self-interest: Individuals should prioritize their own well-being and happiness.
- Individual rights: A strong emphasis on individual liberty and property rights.
- Capitalism: Support for a free market economy with minimal government interference
Populism - a range of political stances that emphasize the idea of the common 'people' in opposition to a perceived 'elite.' It is often associated with anti-establishment sentiment, framed as addressing the people’s unmet needs. While it can take different forms, right-wing and left-wing populism diverge significantly in their targets, rhetoric, and policy approaches.
Right-wing populism tends to be reactionary, blaming an undefined 'elite' and others, marginalized groups such as migrants for society’s problems. Creating enemys , using ad hominem attacks. It often lacks concrete economic policies, instead relying on nationalist sentiment and scapegoating. Figures like Donald Trump present themselves as anti-establishment despite being entrenched in the capitalist system, ultimately serving corporate and elite interests. They criticize elites but, rather than challenging capitalism itself, maintain structures that benefit the wealthy. It both feeds of and leads more extreme right wing ideology. It feeds off and leads podcasters propaganda.
Left-wing populism, by contrast, is rooted in economic justice and structural reform to meet peoples needs . Politicians like Bernie Sanders oppose the establishment across both major parties and advocate policies like Medicare for All, higher wages, and taxing corporations. Unlike right-wing populists, Sanders defines who he means by 'the establishment'—corporate interests and political elites—without resorting to vague conspiracies and not blaming university professors. In this way Sanders isn’t truly a populist .
The contrast between these two forms of populism is stark: right-wing populism channels public frustration into division and fear, while left-wing populism seeks systemic solutions to economic and social inequality. The distinction is crucial in understanding how populism manifests across political movements.
Post- Modernism - It means many things but collectively ; postmodernism is a term used to refer to a variety of artistic, cultural, and philosophical movements that claim to mark a break from modernism. A literary theory that generally questions the basic assumptions of Western Philosophy in the modern period (roughly, the 17th century through the 19th century). It opposes a grand narrative or story ideology that western philosophy is had come before.
Weaponised by the right in USA.
Prosecute – From early 15c., prosecuten, "to follow up, pursue with a view to carry out or obtain" (some course or action), from Latin prosecutes. The legal sense of the word first appeared in the 1570s.
Propaganda - The term propaganda originates from the Latin word propagare, meaning "to propagate" or "to spread." Its earliest institutional use comes from the Catholic Church. In 1622, Pope Gregory XV established the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide (Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith) to spread Catholicism and combat Protestantism during the Counter-Reformation. At that time, propaganda referred to the dissemination of religious ideas, with no inherently negative connotation.
Over time, the meaning of the term evolved, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, as it became associated with deliberate efforts to manipulate public opinion. During World War I, propaganda was used extensively by governments to rally support, demonize enemies, and control information, often employing exaggerated or misleading content. This marked a shift in the term's perception, linking it to manipulation, deceit, and "brainwashing."
Brainwashing and Deceptive Elements - While not all propaganda involves outright lies, it often emphasizes selective truths, omits inconvenient facts, or uses emotional appeals to shape beliefs and actions. Key elements of propaganda include;
- Emotional Manipulation: Appeals to fear, pride, anger, or hope to influence behavior.
- Selective Information: Highlighting certain facts while ignoring others to frame a narrative.
- Repetition: Repeated exposure to ideas to make them seem natural or inevitable.
- Simplification: Reducing complex issues to simple slogans or ideas for easier mass adoption.
Government propaganda, in particular, is frequently linked to efforts to justify wars, maintain power, or suppress dissent, often blurring the line between information and manipulation. While not all propaganda is inherently deceptive—some can promote positive social change—it is this potential for distortion and control that aligns propaganda with the idea of brainwashing in its more modern sense " information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view"
Psychophant is a blending of psycho and sycophant meaning a sycophant, especially one with psychological problems.
Pyscopath - 1. a human having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for ones actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies 2. formerly : a human with antisocial personality disorder.
Psyops - A PSYOP, or Psychological Operation, is military operation that uses non-combative methods to influence the minds of enemies.
Recession - when there is 2 consecutive periods of nil or negative (decrease) of GDP. So economists and govt speak of recession when the economy is not growing requires continuous growth.
Social Construct - A "social construct" refers toa concept or idea that is created and maintained by shared beliefs and interactions within a society, meaning it doesn't exist objectively in nature but rather is given meaning through collective agreement and understanding among people; essentially, something that is "real" because society has decided to treat it as such, like gender roles, race categories, or the value of money.
Social Democrats – This term applies to people and parties now who originally were a mix of socialist and workers political parties that wanted to vote socialism. Who began giving up post WWI and were fully embracive of and support capitalism, reforming it by WWII .They are now centre/centre right who currently believe in more social equality and social justice through voting (said democracy), essentially reformists who believe under the current system they can vote in or be a better government with better policies.
Sovereign - from latin super meaning above and reign meaning from latin meaning kingdom or realm so in strict sense head of kingdom aka monarch.
Thou now gets frequently applied as free from rule by others or independence or autonomy
State - when referring to politics , per the Montevideo Convention definition (League of Nations) United Nations legal definition, a state is a society with a defined population, borders with a government. Country is a similar slang word not used in UN documents or legislation as UN only uses the word state.
Wings -Right wing and left wing are terms came out of the 1789 French revolution at stage 2 of the revolution when the king had been imprisoned and people where meeting in the National Assembly, it was noticed those who sat on ;
Left wing; the masses and poor who wanted change and progression (a better life, things done differently, eg less poverty ,more food and more equality, more say/democracy).
Right wing - that those who supported the king or least wanted stop or slow down change.
At the time it was referring to a seating arrangement, but today it’s a political term referring to parliamentary and political ideology/ideas on the spectrum . Those on the left are anticapitalist and those on the right are capitalist,
For more see https://voteofnoconfidenceprotest.blogspot.com/p/is-left-right-political-spectrum-still.html
Wealth - refers to not just money but also financial assets and tangible or intangible possessions such as property, investments, shares, bonds, and land.
Woke - originally mean to be aware of black injustice (in USA) , its widened to be aware on social injustice, this means against racism , sexism and anti gay people , words and actions. Entered oxford dictionary 2017 and became to be used by the right as pejorative in 2019.
Woman - adult female human being
Worlds - First world refers to capitalist countries – 2nd world refers to "communist" countries and 3rd World is other countries . Thou we tend to say developing countries now as they are behind in terms of industrialisation. And as you will find out this is highly inaccurate.
-ou (British) vs. only -o (American)
colour vs. color,
armour vs armor,
flavour vs . flavor
mould v mold
labour v labor
behaviour v behavior
-s (British) vs. only -z (American)
apologise vs . apologize,
fantasise vs. fantasize,
idolise vs. idolize
summarise v summarize
organise v organize
realise v realize
organisation v organization
recognise v recognize
analyse vs. analyze,
paralyse vs. paralyze
Doubling the L in a verb conjugation (British) vs. keeping the single L (American)
travelled vs. traveled
labelling vs labeling
AE (British) vs. E (American)
leukaemia vs. leukemia,
paediatrics vs. pediatrics
-ce (British) vs. -se (American)
defence vs. defense
practice vs practise
licence v license
only -ogue (British) vs. -og or -ogue (American)
catalogue vs. catalog,
dialogue vs. dialog
-re (British) vs. -er (American)
metre v. meter,
lustre v. luster
centre v center
Other words
aeroplane v airplane
cheque v check
develope v Develop
grey v gray
programme v program
Words misxed up
Pairs to keep straight
Some words are so commonly confused that it is worth being precise:
Effect v affect
— Affect is a verb meaning to influence something (“the policy affected wages”). Effect is usually a noun meaning the result (“the effect on wages was significant”). The easy test: affect is the action, effect is the end result.
Contradictory v Contrarian
Contradict (verb) - Deny the truth of (a statement) by asserting the opposite. Assert the opposite of a statement made by (someone). Contradiction (noun) Contradictory (adjective)
Contrarian - (noun/adjective) a person who opposes or rejects popular opinion, especially in stock exchange dealing.
adjective opposing or rejecting popular opinion or current practice.
You can contradict someones argument, even often and not be contrarian
Contradictory v contrarian — to contradict is to deny the truth of a statement by asserting the opposite. A contrarian is someone who habitually opposes popular opinion regardless of evidence. You can contradict someone’s argument repeatedly without being contrarian.
Intelligence v intellect — intelligence is the ability to acquire, process, and apply knowledge: problem-solving, reasoning, memory, adaptability.
- Intellect is the capacity for deep thinking, reflection, and critical analysis — curiosity, philosophical reasoning, engaging with abstract concepts. A person can be highly intelligent without being particularly intellectual, and vice versa.
Shill v sycophant
The shill deceives; the sycophant fawns. Both are common in politics.
a shill is someone who covertly promotes a person, organization, or agenda, often by pretending to be an impartial supporter while actually having/concealing a vested interest. For example, a political operative might pose as an average citizen to endorse a candidate online, aiming to manipulate public perception. en.wikipedia.org
Sycophant an individual who seeks to gain favor or advantage from people important or in power/authority through excessive flattery or praise and submissive or overly eager behavior. In politics, this could manifest as an advisor who constantly praises a leader's decisions, regardless of their merit, in hopes of maintaining their position or gaining influence. merriam-webster.com
The key difference between the two lies in their methods and intentions: while a shill deceives others about their true allegiance to covertly promote an agenda, a sycophant overtly flatters and submits to authority figures to curry favor and advance their own standing.
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