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.

Democracy & Governance Cassie Democracy & Governance Cassie

Ideology

A coherent set of ideas and values that shape how individuals interpret political issues, institutions, and social arrangements. Ideologies act as frameworks that organize beliefs, guide policy preferences, and influence political identity.

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