DEFINITIONS

Alinsky, Saul His book Rules for Radicals, propagated ideas for Large Government tyranny through Machiavellian lies and deceit.

American Slogan "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater". An idiomatic expression for an avoidable error in which something good is eliminated when trying to get rid of something bad, or in other words, rejecting the favorable along with the unfavorable. Discarding the essential while retaining the superfluous because of excessive zeal.

Autocracy A form of government where unlimited power is held by one single individual.

Autonomy A limited form of independence where, for example, a state or colony can control its own domestic affairs but has no say over its foreign affairs.

Balance of power In the U.S., the relationship between the national branches of government; legislature, executive, judiciary and also the States required by the Constitution for proper Limited Government.

Bureaucracy Unaccountable system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state unelected officials rather than by elected representatives. The inherent problem with Large Government. Capitalism An economic system based on free markets and on the recognition of private property rights, where prices are mostly dictated by supply and demand, and where the means of production and distribution of goods and services derive from privately owned resources.

Capitation A direct tax imposed on each head or person.

Command economy An economy which is mostly under the command of the government.

Commodification The action or process of treating a person as a mere commodity rather than someone possessing natural rights such as autonomy. A result of the Harvard business model.

Communism (Marx) Political and economic doctrine that aims to replace private property and a profit-based economy with public ownership and communal control of the major means of production and the natural resources of a society. Communism is a form of socialism— and as such is beset by malingering, poaching, the free rider, limited incentive to save and the tragedy of the commons. Communism’s distinction from socialism rests largely on adherence to the revolutionary socialism of Karl Marx. Tragedy of the commons-The impracticality of communally owned resources. Individuals while malingering, will maximize their benefits above others, by poaching and other means, and in time deplete the common resource. Alternatively, where resources are privately owned there is an incentive to moderate its exploitation so as to preserve for the owner further use.

Con-Federalism A form of federalism where the individual States composing the national government exercise a larger degree of autonomy. Often the right to secede, as embodied in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, and other protected rights embodied in the Article Amending the U.S. Constitution, specifically Articles IX and X.

Conservative In the U.S., the political ideology supporting Limited Government as embodied in the U.S.: Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Progressive as to the former condition of oppression of people since recorded history and affording freedom. Also Forward looking in the protection of individual Rights. Democracy (Tyranny by the Majority) From the Greek ‘demos’ for the ordinary, common people and ‘kratos’ for power or strength. Democracy is the most vile form of government. (James Madison) Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. (John Adams). Protection of group rights and Rule by the Mob rather than protection of Individual Rights and the Rule of Law. Relativism rather than Absolute Truth! Democracy (Populist) No supposed constraints such as a Constitution. Democracy (Liberal) A deceitful misnomer term, (better referred to as a Republic), to reflect democracy controlled by supposed restraints that only allow the good. Ie. A constitution or common law perverted to protect group rights instead of Republican individual natural rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, a free market, an independent judiciary, the rule of law, separation of powers, minority rights and the notion of the individual. Tyranny by the Majority A concept first coined in the nineteenth century by French writer Alexis de Tocqueville and also embraced by John Stuart Mill, who claimed that democracies had limitations in that minority rights could be forfeited in the pursuit of popular causes. Solutions to such tyranny would be a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights, proportional representation, or a democracy divided up into a federation (States’ Rights) where peoples of different beliefs and values could gravitate to separate geographical areas that maintained their own distinct laws and practices. Democracy (Direct)-Participatory democracy. Government by the people in fact rather than merely in principle. Practiced in ancient Greece and in some cantons of Switzerland and the New England states of America. A highly impractical form of government. Democracy (Representative) What is commonly known as a democracy, even though the people do not directly vote but surrender that right to their duly elected representatives.

Dystopia Alternative to utopia. Large Government (Democracy, Autocracy, Fascism, Communism, Socialism), which seeks to negate imperfect human nature and sin and therefore impossibly create a perfect Utopia “Heaven on Earth”. Nightmare vision of society actually planned by those in power, creating, most often, a totalitarian society. Fictional examples are Jack London’s The Iron Heel, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and George Orwell’s 1984.

Fascism (Nazism) An authoritarian and nationalist political ideology that embraces strong leadership, singular collective identity and the will to commit violence or wage war to further the interests of the state. Averse to concepts such as individualism, pluralism, multiculturalism or egalitarianism. The name derives from the collective identity, the connotation of the Italian fascio, or English faggot, for a bound collection of sticks. The symbol originally used by Mussolini was a ‘fascio’ of sticks bound with that connotation of war, an axe.

Federalism A system under which governmental powers are divided between the central government and the states or provinces all within the same geographical territory such as Constitutionally envisioned in the United States. Not a unitary system as in the UK, New Zealand and Japan.

Fourth estate In the U.S., the First Amendment protected political institutions comprising the press and other forms of the media. Such protection was envisioned only for those institutions, which through the reportage of the Truth and the freedom from bias, promoted the security of the Citizens’ Sovereignty. Term comes from the first three estates of the French States-General which were the church, the nobility and the townsmen.

Free rider Someone who receives the benefits of government policy without incurring the costs.

Groupthink The danger of Democracy. An attitude existing in academia and the media where there is found to be unanimity in approaches to certain issues, either due to laziness in research, or fear of the consequences of going against the prevailing wisdom. Harm principle Theory advocated by 19th century British philosopher John Stuart Mill that the state should not interfere with the actions of an individual that harm no one else: "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant."

Income Redistribution An unconstitutional policy concerned with altering the pattern of the PERSONAL DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME in an economy, mainly with social rather than economic objectives in mind. Income Redistribution is an economic practice which is aimed at leveling the distribution of wealth or income in a society through a direct or indirect transfer of income from the rich to the poor. Proponents of this practice argue that it promotes the development of an egalitarian society and addresses a number of social problems that are linked with poverty. Income redistribution and economic growth have a complex relationship. Taxes and transfers allegedly reduce income inequality, but in reality are a drag on growth.

Identity politics Political advocacy which, rather than proposing better rational ways to govern, seek power and control through emotional arguments oriented towards the alleged victimhood of certain identity groups because of their demographics, i.e., age, religion, gender, race, etc.

Invisible hand The free market theory of 18th century economist Adam Smith that the aggregate of individual choices by people participating in the free market far surpasses a demand economy in the efficient and effective utilization of resources. “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest.”

Judicial activism Why the Supreme Court of the United States is not a proper branch of our Republican Limited Government! An unconstitutional judicial philosophy advocating that courts are allowed to take an active role, not supported by existing law, to remedy alleged wrongs in society.

Judicial interpretation The various methods different superior court judges regularly use to interpret constitutional law: literal, original, doctrinal (stare decisis), structural and balancing.

Jus sanguinis Latin for ‘right of blood’. A principle of nationality law by which citizenship is determined or acquired by the nationality or ethnicity of one or both parents. Children at birth may be citizens of a particular state if either or both of their parents have citizenship of that state.

Jus soli Latin for ‘right of the soil’. A legal concept that automatically grants citizenship of a country to a person born in that country, irrespective of the mother’s status. Practiced in almost every country of the Americas as well as Pakistan and Tanzania, while the more popular concept, laissez-faire Fr. for “allow to do”. An economic system of the abstinence of state interference.

Mao Slogan “Let a thousand blossoms bloom”. Misquotation of Mao ZeDong’s 1957 declaration “Let… a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend...” made to invite criticism of the political system so as to allegedly promote progress in the arts and sciences of the nascent communist regime. Those foolish enough to accept the invitation were ultimately executed.

Liberalism (small l) Loosely described as a modern philosophy which favors change for change’s sake, as well as encompassing a compromising attitude to personal lifestyle and immigration and where policy decisions are oriented towards relativism and the promotion of group, identity politics.

Liberalism (classic) The foundation of the American way of life. A philosophy advocating the rights of the Individual as emanating from God, as against the state or church as espoused by such 18th century English writers as John Locke and J.S. Mill. Causes advocated would be Laissez Faire economics, freedom of speech, the rule of law, republicanism, federalism and Citizen Sovereignty. Libertarianism A political philosophy of self-reliance, reason and maximum non-interference by the state in matters of both economic and personal affairs. Straddling both left and right, libertarians are most often fence sitters and mostly do not have a well-defined concept of morality.

Liberty The state of being free from control or restriction. b. The right to act, believe, or express oneself as one chooses. c. The state of being free from confinement, servitude or forced labor. 2. Freedom from undue or unjust governmental control. 3. A right to engage in certain actions without interference or control. The liberties protected by the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Limited government A progressive, forward thinking concept that espouses republicanism and federalism supporting the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the States’ and Citizens Rights embodied in the IX Amendment and the X Amendment.

Luvvie Derogatory term for pretentious artistic or theatrical people claiming and /or receiving special benefits or privileges.

Machiavellian Adjective to describe manipulative and cynical political activity where morals and principles have little account. Attributed to Renaissance political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli.

Malingering To pretend or exaggerate incapacity or illness (as to avoid duty or work)

Marxist Slogan From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”. Slogan made popular by Karl Marx in an 1875 publication, to highlight a fundamental aspect of communism. An antithetical response to the capitalist concept of private property. The lowest common denominator of group politics that promotes the tragedy of equal outcome.

Mercantilism A broad, command type, economic doctrine, practiced from the 16th to the 18th centuries, which predicated state power in international affairs as the predominate goal. Policies utilized would be: export subsidies; a positive balance of payments; developing colonies; forbidding trade to be carried in foreign ships; restricting colonies’ trade to only the mother country; maintaining a large precious metal reserve, etc.

Mixed economy An economic system which embraces some aspects of free enterprise together with elements of socialism.

Monarchy Rule by one person.

Moral relativism An ideology that denies absolute moral truth.

Nativism As opposed to an internationalist world view, the theory that a government must always give priority to the citizens of its own country above that of foreigners. The belief in the perpetuation of the indigenous culture as compared to acculturation.

Nazism A form of fascism. National Socialism arose out of attempts to create a nationalist redefinition of socialism, as an alternative to both Marxist international socialism and free-market capitalism. Nazism rejected the Marxist concepts of class conflict and universal equality, opposed cosmopolitan internationalism and sought to convince all parts of the new German society to subordinate their personal interests to the "common good", accepting political interests as the main priority of economic organization, which tended to match the general outlook of collectivism or communitarianism rather than economic socialism. while also supporting land reform and the nationalization of some industries.

Oligarchy A form of government where rule is by the few and in their own interest.

Oppression An unjust or excessive exercise of power. An unlawful, wrongful, or corrupt exercise of authority by a public official acting under color of authority that causes a person harm. Parliamentary Govt A system of government where ultimate authority is vested in the legislative body. The cabinet, including the chief executive, is from, appointed by and responsible to, the legislature. Alternative to what is known as a presidential system, where both the legislature and executive are independently appointed by the voters.

Plutocracy Government controlled by or greatly influenced by, the wealthy.

Poaching The tendency of communalism or participants in communism to rob the commons prior to the maturation of the resource, thereby leading to decreased yields, an increase in poverty and a decrease in the effective savings rate. Populism Political campaigning oriented towards democracy (voting for specific benefits, liberties, law and order programs, etc.) and the rights of groups rather than the rights of individuals. Populists will promise their agenda despite whatever institutional obstructions may exist, while non-populists will take a more conservative approach respecting the judiciary and the constitution.

Presidential system As opposed to parliamentary government, a constitutional framework where the executive is directly appointed by and responsible to, the people. eg, France, Sth Korea, Philippines & USA.

Res Publica A Latin phrase, loosely meaning 'public affair'. It is the root of the word 'republic'. 'Res' is a Latin noun for a substantive or concrete thing—and 'publica' is an adjective meaning 'of or pertaining to the public, people'. Hence a literal translation is, 'the public thing, affair'. Res publica usually is something held in common by many people. In the U.S. it is Sovereignty held by all Citizens. Republic A form of government where rule is constrained by institutional frameworks and is not by the selected few. In the U.S. the guaranteed Republic, in exchange for the delegation of Sovereign Power by Sovereign Citizens, which brought the political entities of the States-primarily and the United States national government-secondarily into existence, the Republic is obligated to protect those Sovereign Citizens individual rights.

Rights (Negative Rights / Positive Rights-Obligations) The right of self-mastery to do, or refrain from doing an action, or otherwise be free from interference, as compared to the right to gain a specific benefit that would in most cases have a monetary value. Term derives from the obligation on society for supplying those rights.

Right wing /Left wing Archaic terminology. “On the Right” (Forward Thinking or Progressive) Loosely described as a political philosophy which favors conservative, pro-market attitudes with a preference for individual rights over interventionist government. “On the Left” (Backward Thinking or Regressive) Policies of dependency and economic slavery. A ‘womb to tomb’ approach to social welfare and an internationalist world view. Terms originated in the French Estates General in 1789 when the nobility who favored complacency sat on the King’s right and those who wanted change and amelioration of the peasant’s conditions sat on the left.

Rule of Law The traditional legal concept, dating back as far as Aristotle, that we live under a set of predetermined rules rather than the arbitrary “wise guidance” of any contemporary judge, King or chief executive. Stable government where the law is proclaimed, followed, and applied equally to all. Term derived by 19th century British jurist A.C. Dicey. • All Citizens are protected equally by the privileges and penalties of the law. • The judiciary and executive act according to law rather than their own beliefs of justice. • The law supports natural rights and shall be prospective, visible, consistent and stable. • Due process must be afforded to all those before the law.

Separation of powers Term derived by Enlightenment philosopher Charles Montesquieu, a traditional concept of liberalism where, for the sake of limiting abuse of power, the three branches of government: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary remain independent. In modern times the best examples are some American states where all branches have tangible power and, because of separate elections, no branch is appointed by nor can be removed by, another branch. Less than perfect examples would be parliamentary systems: the executive directly appointed, and removed, by the legislature, and the judiciary directly appointed by the executive.

Social Contract An 18th century philosophical concept used to explain the understanding by which people originally left their solitary, wilderness existence and came together under the auspices of government. Theorist Thomas Hobbes first claimed that the contract entailed each individual surrendering all his rights, save that of life, in exchange for the protection of the Crown. A half century later philosopher John Locke modified that to state that not only life, but other natural rights, were retained by the people (Citizens) and that they were legitimate in overthrowing any state that violated those rights.

Socialism Governance where the means of planning and producing goods and services are controlled by a central government which also seeks to collect the wealth of its subjects and distribute it evenly amongst its subjects. Abomination of the lowest common denominator of guaranteed outcome.

Social engineering The belief that it is not enough that governments create for their subjects an environment where there is an adequate standard of living together with good health care, minimum crime and basic freedoms. Governments, it is claimed, must also subject the people to rigid beliefs, attitudes and practices of what is decreed, at the time, to be socially, physiologically and intellectually acceptable. No Citizens are tolerated in this form of government

Social justice Mode of expression derived in the 1840s by a Jesuit priest Luigi Taparelli to describe an earlier held concept of a fair and just relationship between the individual and society with regards to the distribution of wealth, social privileges and egalitarianism. Completely negates itself as social justice is a group concept in derogation of individual rights. Antithetical to a Republic. Term embraced by, amongst others, US Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis and philosopher John Rawls in his A Theory of Justice, but dismissed by philosopher Friedrich Hayek as “an empty phrase with no determinable content”.

Sovereign Power That Power derived from Sovereignty and which is delegated to form political entities.

Sovereignty Supreme power or authority to rule over subjects and territory. Cannot be delegated. Sovereign Citizens of the United States.

States’ Rights The rights and powers held by individual US states rather than by the national government as protected in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Subsidiarity (American Federalism) The principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level.

Sumptuary laws Are laws that regulate consumption.

Supply side economics (Trickle Down) Taxes on businesses and the wealthy in society should be reduced as a means to stimulate business investment in the short term and benefit society at large in the long term. (Bubble Up) Economic Stimulus should be reduced on consumers. Need balance between Trickle Down and Bubble Up Taxation. Ta′mmany Hall 19th century New York headquarters of the American Democratic Party which became notorious for political corruption.

Tax Consumption tax A tax levied on goods and services such as sales tax, GST, VAT or an excise tax. A tax on the spending of income rather than the earning of it, so as to include people who might otherwise evade income tax or are successful with tax avoidance schemes. Constitutional, unlike Income tax on earnings, which under Article 1, Section 9, capitation is un-Constitutional. progressive / flat /regressive tax Progressive income tax, as espoused in ‘plank’ 2 of Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto, is a graduated tax where the rate increases as the income of the tax payer gets higher. (more effort and resources are spent on creating and combating tax avoidance schemes). Flat tax is where all tax payers pay the same rate of their income to the state, (eg. 15%). Regressive taxation is where the rate decreases as the income of the payer increases. In all three situations high earners pay more actual tax than low earners.

Term limits Laws in some countries where politicians are limited to serve a set number of terms.

Tea Party A grass roots American political movement advocating adherence to the Constitution as well as reining in excessive taxing and spending by the government. Term derived from the Boston Tea Party.

Theocracy Government controlled by the church/priesthood or a proclaimed living god. Examples are ancient Egypt and modern-day Iran.

Totalitarian A government that wishes to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also by seeking to control the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.

Utilitarianism Consequentialist philosophy originally espoused by 18th century writer Jeremy Bentham whereby the best policy is that which gives the greatest happiness to the greatest number.

Whigs and Tories Terms to describe supporters of the two major British political parties since the 17th Century with ever changing political positions for each. Possibly derived from slang for horse thieves and papist outlaws. By the latter 19th century the two major parties self-described as the Liberals and Conservatives, and only the term, Tories, still being used in the UK to identify the latter, while the Whig appellation crossed the Atlantic to identify a short lived American, high tariff party.

Zeitgeist German for ‘spirit of the time’. The prevalent beliefs and attitudes of a place or country at any particular period.