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.
Charter School
A publicly funded school that operates under a performance contract granting it more flexibility in exchange for meeting academic, financial, and governance expectations.
Revolution
The rapid replacement of a political or social system, driven by collective mobilization and the collapse of existing authority. It differs from reform because it creates a new governing order rather than adjusting the old one.
Regulation
Rules and standards that governments set to guide behavior, manage risk, and protect public interests. Regulations are created by agencies under legislative authority and enforced through inspections, reporting, and oversight.
Jurisdiction
The legal authority of a government, court, or agency to make decisions or enforce laws. It can be based on geography, subject matter, or institutional role and determines which body has the power to act in a given situation.
Civic Literacy
Civic literacy is the ability to understand how public systems work and how to navigate them. It includes knowledge of governmental structures, rights, responsibilities, and the practical skills needed to engage effectively in public life.
Hot-Spot Policing
Hot-spot policing directs police resources to small areas where crime is most concentrated. The strategy is data-driven and targets specific blocks or locations rather than entire neighborhoods. Tactics vary—from patrols to problem-solving to environmental changes—and outcomes depend heavily on how the approach is implemented.
Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility refers to how governments manage public money to meet current obligations while maintaining long-term stability. It involves planning, tradeoffs, and balancing revenues and expenditures—not just spending cuts. The term appears often in debates about budgets, taxes, and public investment, sometimes without clear definition.
Deportation
The legal process in which a government removes a non-citizen for violating immigration laws. Deportation is involuntary, carried out by the state, and follows a formal legal process. It differs from voluntary return and does not imply criminal conviction.
Representation
Representation is the principle that elected officials act on behalf of the people who choose them. It is a foundational element of democratic governance, providing a structured way for public preferences to influence policy. Representation determines who has a voice in decision-making and whose interests shape institutions.
Sovereignty
The supreme legal and political authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. It is the foundational principle of the modern international system, defining who has the right to make laws, control territory, and represent a population.
Liberalism
A political philosophy centered on individual rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, and limits on concentrated power. While modern partisan uses of “liberal” vary widely, the underlying liberal tradition seeks to ensure that governments protect personal freedoms and remain accountable to the public.
Conservatism
A political philosophy that emphasizes preserving established institutions, traditions, and social order. It generally favors cautious, incremental change over rapid transformation. While its specific policy positions vary by country and period, its core purpose is to maintain continuity and stability in public life.
Democracy
A system of government in which political authority ultimately comes from the people. Citizens participate in selecting leaders, shaping public policy, and holding institutions accountable. Democratic systems vary widely, but they generally rely on competitive elections, rule of law, protections for dissent, and mechanisms that limit the abuse of power.