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Political Analysis terms
Who is winning and why.
Anti-Federalists Opponents of the 1787 Constitution who feared a powerful national government and demanded a bill of rights. Burkean conservatism A conservatism rooted in Edmund Burke's defense of tradition, gradual reform, prescriptive institutions and skepticism of abstract theory. Chesterton's fence A principle, from G.K. Chesterton, that one should understand why an old rule or institution exists before removing it. Civil society The network of voluntary associations, such as families, churches, clubs and charities, that exist between the individual and the state. Classical liberalism A political philosophy emphasizing individual liberty, limited government, private property, free markets and the rule of law. Consent of the governed The principle that a government's legitimate authority comes from the agreement of the people it rules. Conservatism A political outlook that values tradition, ordered liberty, limited government and gradual change over radical reform. Constitutional republic A system in which officials chosen by the people govern under a constitution that limits their power and protects rights. Equality of opportunity The principle that people should have the same chance to succeed, judged by talent and effort and not by birth, race or connections. Federalism A system dividing governing power between a national government and state governments, each with its own sphere of authority. Fusionism A mid-century conservative synthesis combining traditionalist moral values with free-market libertarian principles and strong anti-communism. Individualism The belief that individuals are the primary unit of moral and political concern, with rights, responsibilities and choices of their own. Libertarianism A political philosophy that makes individual liberty the central value and seeks to minimize coercion, especially by government. Little platoons Edmund Burke's phrase for the small local groups, such as families and neighborhoods, that form the basis of public affection and civic life. National conservatism A current of the right prioritizing the nation-state, cultural cohesion, economic nationalism and government support for family and community. Natural law The view that there is a moral order discoverable by reason that binds all people and against which human laws can be measured. Natural rights The idea that people possess certain rights by virtue of their humanity, which exist prior to and independent of any government. Negative liberty Freedom understood as the absence of interference or coercion by others, especially by government. Neoconservatism A movement, begun among former liberals, favoring a strong military, promotion of democracy abroad and a limited welfare state. Ordered liberty The idea that genuine freedom requires moral and legal structure, and that liberty without order or virtue becomes license. Paleoconservatism A strand of the right that stresses tradition, nationalism, restricted immigration, skepticism of foreign intervention and suspicion of the federal government. Popular sovereignty The principle that ultimate political authority resides in the people, who delegate it to government. Populism A political style that pits ordinary people against a supposedly corrupt or out-of-touch elite, found across the political spectrum. Positive liberty Freedom understood as the capacity to act on one's own will and fulfill one's potential, which may require resources or public support. Postliberalism A school of thought arguing that liberalism's emphasis on individual autonomy has undermined community, and that politics should aim at the common good. Private property The right of individuals and organizations to own, use, exchange and exclude others from assets, a pillar of market economies. Progressivism A political tradition that favors using government to promote social reform, economic fairness and expert-led solutions to public problems. Public choice theory The application of economic analysis to political behavior, treating voters, politicians and bureaucrats as self-interested actors. Rule of law The principle that everyone, including government, is subject to publicly known laws that are applied equally and fairly. Social contract A philosophical idea that government's legitimacy rests on an implicit agreement among free people to form a political community. Subsidiarity The principle that matters should be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized authority capable of doing so effectively. The Federalist Papers A series of 85 essays from 1787-1788 by Hamilton, Madison and Jay urging ratification of the Constitution. Tyranny of the majority The danger that a democratic majority will use its power to override the rights and interests of minorities.