Chapter 9 - Politics 6th Edition

Culture war

A political battle over values and lifestyles usually reflecting the tension between social conservatism (traditionalism) and social liberalism (progressivism).

Political culture

The 'pattern of orientations' to political objects such as parties, government and the constitution as expressed in beliefs, symbols and values.

Bourgeois ideology

A Marxist term, denoting ideas and theories that serve the interests of the bourgeoisie by disguising the contradictions of capitalist society.

Hegemony

The ascendancy or domination of one element of a system over others. to the ability of a dominant class to exercise power by winning the consent of those it subjugates, as an alternative to the use of coercion.

Postmaterialism

A theory that explains the nature of political concerns and values in terms of levels of economic development. Assumes that conditions of material scarcity breed egoistical and acquisitive values, but in conditions of widespread prosperity, individuals express more interest in 'postmaterial' or 'quality of life' issues.

Polarization

In politics, a process whereby politicians and voters become more entrenched or extreme in their political views, while those adopting moderate or centrist positions decline.

Dealignment

A trend in which an increasing proportion of the electorate no longer adopt stable or predictable partisan, party or ideological affiliations.

Social media

Forms of electronic communication that facilitate social interaction and the formation of online communities through the exchange of user-generated content.

Political socialization

The process through which individuals acquire political beliefs and values, and by which these are transmitted from one generation to the next. Agents of political socialization are divided into primary and secondary.

Mass media

Comprised of those societal institutions that are concerned with the production and distribution of all forms of knowledge, information and entertainment.

Political bias

Political views that systematically favour the values or interests of one group over another as opposed to 'balanced' or 'objective' beliefs.

Free press

Newspapers (and, by extension, other media outlets) that are free from censorship and political interference by government and, usually, are privately owned.

Presidentialization

A growing emphasis on personal leadership, in line with the role and powers of an executive president.

Spatial leadership

The tendency of political leaders to distance themselves from their parties and governments by presenting themselves as 'outsiders' or developing their own political stance or ideological position.

E-democracy

The use of computer-based technologies to deepen and enhance citizens' engagement in democratic processes.

Censorship

A policy or act of control over what can be said, written, published or performed in order to suppress what is considered morally or politically unacceptable.

E-campaigning

The use of computer-based technologies to publicize, organize, lobby, and raise funds for the selection or election of candidates for political office.

Narrowcasting

The dissemination of information (usually via internet, radio, newspaper or television) to a narrow audience, rather than to the broader public at large.

Propaganda

Information (or disinformation) disseminated in a deliberate attempt to shape opinions and, possibly, stimulate political action. A pejorative term implying both untruth or distortion, and a desire to manipulate and control public opinion.

Spin

The presentation of information so as to elicit the desired response, or being 'economical with the truth'.

Fake news

False and usually sensational information disseminated under the guise of news reporting.

Post-truth

A condition in which objective, evidence-based knowledge has lost its authority, meaning that the distinction between truth and lies becomes immaterial.