Political Philosophy

Society

structured community of people bound together by shared traditions, institutions, culture, and activities

Nation

distinct group of people who share a common identity, typically through a shared collective culture, history, heritage, or language

State

a formal political entity with defined territory, a government, and sovereignty

Law

a system of official rules created and enforced by a government to regulate and maintain society

Rule of Law

law applies equally to everyone

Rule by Law

government uses law as a tool to control population

Order

state of peace, stability, and predictability in society

Violence

the use of physical force to cause harm, damage, or destruction

Revolution

a fundamental, and often violent, overthrow of an existing government or social order by the governed, resulting in a complete transformation of political systems/institutions or social structures

Power

capacity to influence or control the behavior of others

Authority

legitimate, recognized right to rule

Sovereignty

the supreme, absolute power of a state to govern its territory and handle domestic and foreign affairs without outside interference

Legitimacy

the popular belief that a government’s right to rule is rightful, acceptable, and worthy of obedience

Representation

how the public’s interest, values, and views are brought into the government

Autonomy

the power or right of a group, region, or institution to govern itself without outside control

Consent

the idea that a government’s right to rule comes from the approval of its people

Coercion

use of threat or force to force compliance

Punishment

the imposition of a penalty, fine, or confinement by the state on a person who breaks the law

Social Class

a group of people in society who share a similar economic position, income level, or job status

Social Contract

an unwritten agreement where people give up some of their absolute freedom to the state in exchange from safety, order, and protected rights

Property

the ownership of goods, services, land, and resources by individuals, groups, or the state

Right

what the government has to guarantee, entitlement an individual has to something

Liberty

what the government cannot do to you, a basic freedom

Duty

an obligation that citizens have toward the state or society

Justice

the fair and equitable distribution of rewards, punishments, and resources within a society

Equality

the state of being uniform, fair, or balanced in status, rights, and opportunities

Equal

treating everyone the exact same

Equitable

distributing resources/opportunities based on specific needs to ensure everyone can achieve a fair and equivalent outcome

Welfare

government programs designed to provide social and economic safety nets for citizens

Well-being

overall quantity of life, health, happiness, and prosperity of a population

Public Interest

concrete, specific outcomes/benefits of the general public in policy decisions

Common good

broader, foundational moral philosophical concept, ultimate shared conditions, values, and community welfare that collectively benefit all societal members

Collective Responsibility

the principle that an entire group, organization, or government is accountable for the actions, decisions, and outcomes caused by any of its members

Civil Society

the web of voluntary, autonomous organizations outside of state control that allow citizens to organize and express their interests

Political Ideology

a universal set of systematic beliefs and values about the fundamental goals of politics

Conservative

ideology that seeks to preserve traditional institutions, social hierarchies, and continuity

Liberal

ideology that prioritizes individual political and economic freedom over state control, works inside current systems

Political Culture

the collective attitudes, values, beliefs, and practices that shape political behavior and desire, the relationship between the citizens and the state within a given country

Center

a moderate political position that blends elements of both the left and right

Left

position of political spectrum that advocates for social progress, egalitarianism, and government intervention in the economy to reduce inequality, belief in overhauling current systems like capitalism

Right

position of political spectrum that favors tradition, established hierarchies, free markets, and limited government intervention in the economy

Efficacy

a citizen’s belief that they can understand and influence political affairs