Term Definition

republic a government in which citizens elect the leaders

aristocracy government by the best individuals or by a small

privileged class

constitution a plan or law of state and government

moderate one who holds moderate views or one who belongs

to a moderate group favoring a moderate course or
program

minority A part of a population differing from others in some

characteristics and often subjected to differential
treatment

reparation compensation for war damage

nation a community of people composed of one or more

nationalities and possessing a more or less defined
territory and government

patriarch in the early Christian Church, one of five powerful

bishops in major cities

theocracy government headed by religious leaders or a leader

regarded as a god

federal a supporter in the Civil War; especially a soldier in

the federal armies. In modern term: Central

guerilla a person who engages in irregular warfare as a

member of an independent unit carrying out
harassment and sabotage

nationalism pride in one’s own nation

martial law temporary military rule limiting rights such as free

speech
buffer zone a neutral area separating conflicting forces; an area
designed to separate

dynasty a line of rulers who belong to the same family

Democracy form of government in which the citizens hold

power

Conservative tending or disposed to maintain existing views,

conditions, or institutions; traditional

Regent a person who acts as a temporary ruler

Indemnity payment for damages or losses

Country a political state or nation or it’s territory

Capitalism an economic system characterized by private or

corporate ownership of capital goods, by
investments that are determined by private
decision, and by prices, production, and by the
distribution of words that are determined mainly by
competition free market.

Socialism political theory that society as a whole should

control the means of production, such as factories
and land

Coup a brilliant, sudden, and usually highly successful

stroke or act

Cede to yield or grant typically by treaty

Ideology the system of beliefs and attitudes that guides the

actions of a group or nation

Schism the division of the Christian Church in 1054 that

separated the Roman Catholic Church and the
Eastern Orthodox Church

Empire a group of territories or nations ruled by a single

 ruler or government

Absolute Monarchy a ruler has complete control over government

Totalitarianism idea that a dictatorial government should control all

aspects of citizen’s lives

Sovereign one that exercises supreme authority within a

limited sphere

Liberal one who is open minded in the observance of

orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways
OR an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially
in individual rights

Majority the quality or state of being greater

Propaganda news and information intended to influence

people’s feelings about a cause

Imperialism policy of building an empire

Divine Right political theory that a ruler derives his or her power
directly from God and is accountable only to god

Coalition a temporary alliance to differing political factors

Anarchy absence of political authority

Nationalize to bring a private industry under government

control

Isolationism a policy of national isolation by abstention from

alliances and other international political and
economic relations