Source: Are You...Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? by Richard J. Maybury p.130-135
Anarchist: Originally, one who does not believe in political government. Now, often used to mean a terrorist.
Capitalism: A term coined by Socialist Karl Marx, who meant the stage of economic development in which large amounts of capital (tools) are accumulated by private firms. Today capitalism is generally taken to mean free markets, free trade, and free enterprise. The economic philosophy of the right.
Classical Liberal: Juris naturalist. One who believes that the country should have a small, weak government, and free markets, and that the individual is endowed by his Creator with inalienable rights to his life, liberty, and property. Also, one who believes in Natural Law and common law, or Higher Law.
Centrist: Moderate.
Communist: Originally, a socialist who is striving for the utopia of communism in which there is no government and all live according to the rule, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." Now, one who believes in a dictatorial government that owns and controls everything and everyone.
Conservative: A person on the right side of the left-right political spectrum. Conservatives believe in economic freedom and social control.
Democrat: A member of the Democratic Party. Also, a person on the left side of the political spectrum.
Encroach: To intrude on, or damage, the life, liberty, or property of someone who has not harmed anyone. To trespass.
Extremist: One who is highly committed to a cause with which the writer or speaker does not agree.
Fascism: The political philosophy that is no philosophy at all, do whatever appears necessary. Derived from the law of the Roman Empire.
Fascist: One who believes there is no real truth.
Government: An organization with the legal privilege of encroaching on persons who have not harmed anyone.
Higher Law: A law higher than any human law.
Juris Naturalism: The belief that there is a Natural Law that determines the results of human conduct and this law is higher than any government's law.
Juris Naturalist: syn. Classical liberal. Believes in Higher Law or Natural Law, that right and wrong are not matters of opinion. Believes political power corrupts both morals and judgment. Wants a government that is small and growing smaller.
Liberal: A person on the left side of the left-right political spectrum. Liberals believe in social freedom and economic control.
Libertarian: Closest to Juris Naturalist in philosophy.
Liberty: Protection of the individual's rights to his or her life, liberty, and property. Widespread obedience tot he two fundamental laws that make civilization possible: 1) do all you have agreed to do, and 2) do not encroach on other persons or their property. Liberty is not the same as freedom.
Marxism: The theory of Karl Marx that human society develops through stages ending in a utopia called communism. The belief that a dictatorial government owning and controlling everything and everyone (socialism) is a necessary step on the road to communism.
Moderate: One who is in the middle of the left-right political spectrum. Moderates advocate both economic encroachment and social encroachment, but perhaps not to the extremes that left and right do.
Nationalist: An extremely patriotic person who regards his nation as being of supreme importance.
Nationalize: Taken over by the government.
*Progressive: One who is on the left side of the political spectrum.
Republican: Conservative.
Serfdom: Economic slavery developed through heavy taxation.
Socialist: A person who advocates socialism. Most socialists have good intentions, they assume government agencies will act int he best interests of the governed, not in the best interests of the government. A Marxist.
State: Government. Also sometimes means the combination of the government and the country as a single entity.
Statism: The opposite of the original American philosophy. Says political power is a good thing. Government is our friend, our protector, the solution to our problems, and there is no law higher than the government's law.
Terrorism: The creation of terror, usually through violence or threats of violence. As commonly used, automatically assumes the terrorist is acting without good cause.
*Not in listed source book, definition based on typical stances on issues.
See also this site on the Nolan Chart. It uses a non-linear chart of political views.
