Words Matter
A plain-language glossary for the words that shape public life.
Political Systems & Ideologies
Government structures and political philosophies that shape how power is distributed, who makes decisions, and how authority is justified. These terms are often used loosely. This section pins down their actual meanings and explains how they function in practice.
Gentrification
The process where investment and rising property values transform a neighborhood, often causing displacement of long-term residents. Gentrification involves economic change, demographic shifts, and cultural impacts, with benefits and burdens distributed unevenly.