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.
Equity
Equity means distributing resources and opportunities based on need so people can participate fully and fairly in society. It differs from equality, which treats everyone the same regardless of starting point. Equity focuses on addressing structural barriers that create uneven access or outcomes.
Structural Inequality
Structural inequality refers to patterns of unequal outcomes that are produced and sustained by social, economic, and political systems—not solely by individual actions. These inequities arise from rules, norms, and institutional practices that distribute opportunities and burdens unevenly across groups.