D:
Democracy
According to Abraham Lincon, Democracy is a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democracy is the most valued and also perhaps the vaguest of political concepts in the modem world. Political systems as diverse as the USA, various one-party states in Africa and communist states all describe themselves as democracies.
The word 'democracy' is derived from two ancient Greek words: demos ('the people') and kratos ('strength'). By itself democracy means little more than that, in some undefined sense, political power is ultimately in the hands of the whole adult population, and that no smaller group has the right to rule.
Democratic socialism
It literally means the establishment of a socialist society by the democratic methods. Under the socialism, the ownership of the means of production and distribution is socialised and are under the control of the Government. If this purpose is achieved through the revolution, it is called a revolutionary socialism and if the objective of socialism are realised gradually by the peaceful and democratic means, it is referred to as a democratic socialism. The methods of democratic socialism are nationalization of the industries, progressive taxation, planned development etc. Democratic Socialism aims at providing socio-economic justice and equal opportunities to all for the development and progress.
Detente
It refers to a situation of reduction of tensions between the two nations or groups due to downward swing of the cold war relations. In Detente, normalcy is restored in place of cold war tensions and hatred among nations. The reduction in tensions between the superpowers in late 1960s and early 1970s, after the climax of the cold war in 1962 during the Cuba Crisis is mentioned as an example of detente in the international relations.
Doctrine of Necessity
The doctrine states that even though there is a reasonable ground to suspect that a public authority may be biased, the authority may exercise his power to break a stalemate. This doctrine was evolved by the Supreme Court in the Jayalalitha case.
Distributive Justice
It means that the profits of the economic development shall be shared by all and not appropriated by a few. Also, there shall be no concentration of wealth. This intention is embodied in Art. 39 (a) and (b) of the Constitution.
Dialectical Materialism
According to Abraham Lincon, Democracy is a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democracy is the most valued and also perhaps the vaguest of political concepts in the modem world. Political systems as diverse as the USA, various one-party states in Africa and communist states all describe themselves as democracies.
The word 'democracy' is derived from two ancient Greek words: demos ('the people') and kratos ('strength'). By itself democracy means little more than that, in some undefined sense, political power is ultimately in the hands of the whole adult population, and that no smaller group has the right to rule.
Democratic socialism
It literally means the establishment of a socialist society by the democratic methods. Under the socialism, the ownership of the means of production and distribution is socialised and are under the control of the Government. If this purpose is achieved through the revolution, it is called a revolutionary socialism and if the objective of socialism are realised gradually by the peaceful and democratic means, it is referred to as a democratic socialism. The methods of democratic socialism are nationalization of the industries, progressive taxation, planned development etc. Democratic Socialism aims at providing socio-economic justice and equal opportunities to all for the development and progress.
Detente
It refers to a situation of reduction of tensions between the two nations or groups due to downward swing of the cold war relations. In Detente, normalcy is restored in place of cold war tensions and hatred among nations. The reduction in tensions between the superpowers in late 1960s and early 1970s, after the climax of the cold war in 1962 during the Cuba Crisis is mentioned as an example of detente in the international relations.
Doctrine of Necessity
The doctrine states that even though there is a reasonable ground to suspect that a public authority may be biased, the authority may exercise his power to break a stalemate. This doctrine was evolved by the Supreme Court in the Jayalalitha case.
Distributive Justice
It means that the profits of the economic development shall be shared by all and not appropriated by a few. Also, there shall be no concentration of wealth. This intention is embodied in Art. 39 (a) and (b) of the Constitution.
Dialectical Materialism
The concept of dialectical materialism was given by Karl Marx to understand the process of development. In terms of Dialectical materialism, the matter, which is self propelled, is the basis of social development, which moves ahead through a dialectical process consisting of three stages-thesis, antithesis and synthesis. Antithesis is opposed to thesis and synthesis tries to reconcile the contradictions inherent in both. Marx used this technique to emphasis that the economic structure forms the base of the social development and which would move ahead through the dialectical manner till the final stage of communism is reached.
Diarchy
A form of Government in which the functions and powers of the executive are divided into two parts. One part of the executive is responsible to the Legislature while the other part is not responsible to the Legislature. The diarchy was introduced in the Indian States by the British Government in India under the provisions of the Government of Indian Act, 1919. Under this system, the powers and responsibilities of the State Governments were divided into two sections. Some powers were to be exercised by the popular Ministers responsible to the State Legislatures, while the rest of the powers were exercised by the Governors of the States, who were not responsible to the Provincial Legislatures.
Dictatorship
Dictatorship is a form of government in which one person has sole and complete political power. In antiquity, a temporary dictator was often appointed as an emergency measure by states which were normally organized in some other fashion. The Roman Republic appointed dictators during military crises (the term actually originates from this practice), and the ancient Greek city states sometimes gave supreme law-making power to individuals.
Dinner Diplomacy
If some leaders or individuals, invited to a dinner party discuss and try to find a solution to some problems, it is referred to as a dinner diplomacy.
Diplomacy
The idea of 'diplomacy' is used in a variety of rather vague ways in political language, all deriving from the techniques and styles developed by European foreign affairs representatives during the 18th century, though, of course, diplomacy as behaviour and political strategy is as old as politics. Technically the diplomatic corps consists of all the men and women professionally engaged in representing the interests of their countries abroad. This activity varies from the gathering of information and evaluation of the politics of the host country, via the direct protection of the legal interests of any fellow nationals who are in trouble in that country (the consular function) to international negotiations and the delivery of special messages to the host government.
Diarchy
A form of Government in which the functions and powers of the executive are divided into two parts. One part of the executive is responsible to the Legislature while the other part is not responsible to the Legislature. The diarchy was introduced in the Indian States by the British Government in India under the provisions of the Government of Indian Act, 1919. Under this system, the powers and responsibilities of the State Governments were divided into two sections. Some powers were to be exercised by the popular Ministers responsible to the State Legislatures, while the rest of the powers were exercised by the Governors of the States, who were not responsible to the Provincial Legislatures.
Dictatorship
Dictatorship is a form of government in which one person has sole and complete political power. In antiquity, a temporary dictator was often appointed as an emergency measure by states which were normally organized in some other fashion. The Roman Republic appointed dictators during military crises (the term actually originates from this practice), and the ancient Greek city states sometimes gave supreme law-making power to individuals.
Dinner Diplomacy
If some leaders or individuals, invited to a dinner party discuss and try to find a solution to some problems, it is referred to as a dinner diplomacy.
Diplomacy
The idea of 'diplomacy' is used in a variety of rather vague ways in political language, all deriving from the techniques and styles developed by European foreign affairs representatives during the 18th century, though, of course, diplomacy as behaviour and political strategy is as old as politics. Technically the diplomatic corps consists of all the men and women professionally engaged in representing the interests of their countries abroad. This activity varies from the gathering of information and evaluation of the politics of the host country, via the direct protection of the legal interests of any fellow nationals who are in trouble in that country (the consular function) to international negotiations and the delivery of special messages to the host government.
Disarmament
Disarmament stands for the process of elimination of the weapons of war by the nations in order to ensure peace. Disarmament is technically distinct from Arms control as in the latter, only the future growth of arms is prohibited whereas in the disarmament, the existing arms and weapons are to be eliminated.
Discrimination
Discrimination in politics refers to the singling out—usually for unfavourable treatment—of certain groups which are defined by such characteristics as race, language, gender or religion. As a practice it is endemic in most societies; but during the 20th century, especially in the aftermath of the Nazi Holocaust, most democracies have made serious efforts to combat it through legislation and judicial decisions.
Disarmament stands for the process of elimination of the weapons of war by the nations in order to ensure peace. Disarmament is technically distinct from Arms control as in the latter, only the future growth of arms is prohibited whereas in the disarmament, the existing arms and weapons are to be eliminated.
Discrimination
Discrimination in politics refers to the singling out—usually for unfavourable treatment—of certain groups which are defined by such characteristics as race, language, gender or religion. As a practice it is endemic in most societies; but during the 20th century, especially in the aftermath of the Nazi Holocaust, most democracies have made serious efforts to combat it through legislation and judicial decisions.
E:
Electoral College
An electoral college is a group of people who have been specially appointed, nominated or elected in order that they should hold an election for a political office. It thus constitutes a way of making election to some significant position of power indirect rather than direct. The most important example of a modern electoral college is perhaps that which elects the American president. Lists of electors ties to particular presidential and vice-presidential candidatures appear on the ballot paper, and once the votes have been counted the list with the most votes on a simple plurality basis takes all that state's electoral college votes. The candidates with a majority in the electoral college become president and vice-president respectively.
Embargo
It refers to imposing the restrictions on the movements of the ships of other countries by a country in her territorial seas and harbours. The Embargo is imposed during the war against the ships of the enemy country. There are specific rules of the International Law which regulate the imposition of Embargo.
Electoral Offences
Offences by the private individual or an authority against the electoral laws made by the Acts of the Parliament.
Electoral Malpractices
This is the violation of a code of conduct, fixed by the Election Commission, by an authority, social miscreants or a political party.
Emergency Powers
Emergency powers are special powers granted to a government or executive agency which allow normal legislative procedure and/or judicial remedies to be by-passed or suspended. In democracies such emergency powers are usually strictly controlled by the legislature and are permitted only for the duration of the emergency. Although the primary association of emergency powers legislation is with wartime, or a national security crisis of similar dimensions, governments in fact retain some such powers for domestic crises.
Electoral College
An electoral college is a group of people who have been specially appointed, nominated or elected in order that they should hold an election for a political office. It thus constitutes a way of making election to some significant position of power indirect rather than direct. The most important example of a modern electoral college is perhaps that which elects the American president. Lists of electors ties to particular presidential and vice-presidential candidatures appear on the ballot paper, and once the votes have been counted the list with the most votes on a simple plurality basis takes all that state's electoral college votes. The candidates with a majority in the electoral college become president and vice-president respectively.
Embargo
It refers to imposing the restrictions on the movements of the ships of other countries by a country in her territorial seas and harbours. The Embargo is imposed during the war against the ships of the enemy country. There are specific rules of the International Law which regulate the imposition of Embargo.
Electoral Offences
Offences by the private individual or an authority against the electoral laws made by the Acts of the Parliament.
Electoral Malpractices
This is the violation of a code of conduct, fixed by the Election Commission, by an authority, social miscreants or a political party.
Emergency Powers
Emergency powers are special powers granted to a government or executive agency which allow normal legislative procedure and/or judicial remedies to be by-passed or suspended. In democracies such emergency powers are usually strictly controlled by the legislature and are permitted only for the duration of the emergency. Although the primary association of emergency powers legislation is with wartime, or a national security crisis of similar dimensions, governments in fact retain some such powers for domestic crises.
Envoy
The diplomatic representative of a country in another country nominated for specific purpose for the time being is called Envoy.
Equal Protection
Equal protection is a term which describes the idea that the legal system should protect all citizens from arbitrary discrimination and guarantee them equal rights. Initially it seemed that this idea was very similar to the guarantees of procedural fairness and due process offered in many societies.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity refers to a sometimes rather complex combination of racial, cultural and historical characteristics by which societies are occasionally divided into separate, and probably hostile, political families. At its simplest the idea is exemplified by racial groupings where skin colour alone is the separating characteristic.
Euthanasia
It is a deliberate infliction of death to a patient, by a medical expert, who is terminally ill and cannot be revived. Euthanasia is done in order to relieve unbearable pain suffered by the patient before his/her death. Netherlands is the first country in the world where euthanasia has been legalised.
Executive
The 18th-century French political theorist Montesquieu divided the political system into three distinct elements: the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. The executive is defined as the part of a governmental system which takes decisions as opposed to making laws, although modern political systems in fact allow their executives to legislate both in the sense of determining which laws ought to be passed and, as in France, allowing them some autonomous law-making capacity.
Extradition
Extradition is a legal arrangement between the two countries under which an accused is sent to another country for the purpose of prosecution, where such person is accused of committing some crime. Extradition is possible only if the countries have entered into an agreement to that effect under the rules of the International Law. The purpose of extradition is to facilitate the prosecution of a person in a country where he is accused of committing some crime.
F:
The diplomatic representative of a country in another country nominated for specific purpose for the time being is called Envoy.
Equal Protection
Equal protection is a term which describes the idea that the legal system should protect all citizens from arbitrary discrimination and guarantee them equal rights. Initially it seemed that this idea was very similar to the guarantees of procedural fairness and due process offered in many societies.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity refers to a sometimes rather complex combination of racial, cultural and historical characteristics by which societies are occasionally divided into separate, and probably hostile, political families. At its simplest the idea is exemplified by racial groupings where skin colour alone is the separating characteristic.
Euthanasia
It is a deliberate infliction of death to a patient, by a medical expert, who is terminally ill and cannot be revived. Euthanasia is done in order to relieve unbearable pain suffered by the patient before his/her death. Netherlands is the first country in the world where euthanasia has been legalised.
Executive
The 18th-century French political theorist Montesquieu divided the political system into three distinct elements: the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. The executive is defined as the part of a governmental system which takes decisions as opposed to making laws, although modern political systems in fact allow their executives to legislate both in the sense of determining which laws ought to be passed and, as in France, allowing them some autonomous law-making capacity.
Extradition
Extradition is a legal arrangement between the two countries under which an accused is sent to another country for the purpose of prosecution, where such person is accused of committing some crime. Extradition is possible only if the countries have entered into an agreement to that effect under the rules of the International Law. The purpose of extradition is to facilitate the prosecution of a person in a country where he is accused of committing some crime.
F:
Fascism
The term fascism is derived from the fasces of ancient Rome, a bundle of rods with a projecting axe symbolizing unity and authority, which was adopted by Benito Mussolini for his new Italian political movement in the 1920s. The other important fascist parties created in the years between the First and Second World Wars were those led by Hitler in Germany and Franco in Spain. Fascist governments were also installed in much of central Europe before and during the Second World War.
The term fascism is derived from the fasces of ancient Rome, a bundle of rods with a projecting axe symbolizing unity and authority, which was adopted by Benito Mussolini for his new Italian political movement in the 1920s. The other important fascist parties created in the years between the First and Second World Wars were those led by Hitler in Germany and Franco in Spain. Fascist governments were also installed in much of central Europe before and during the Second World War.
Federal State
Federalism is a constitutional arrangement in which the powers and responsibilities of the Government are divided between the Union or the Federal Government and the Provincial or the State Governments through the written Constitution. Both the Governments are autonomous in their respective jurisdictions. The United State of America is the first Federal State in the world, which came into being in 1789. The other characteristics of a Federal State are: rigid Constitution, independent federal Judiciary, double citizenship, etc. Indian Constitution also provides for a Federal System of Government, but the distribution of powers is tilted in favour of a strong Central Government. Thus, it is remarked that the Indian Constitution is federal in form but it is unitary in spirit.
Fifth Column
It refers to a group or persons within a country, which conspire with foreign countries against the national interests of their own country. The fifth column is found involved in such clandestine activities as inciting violence and disaffection among the people, organising rebellion against the Government or sending vital strategic information to the foreign enemy country.
Filibustering
The practice of filibustering is frequently used by the members in the Legislative process of the American Senate. It means a practice of prolonging a debate on a bill or a matter by speaking unduly long time by members so that the voting on the bill would not be held and the Bill shall be dropped, as its allocated time has lapsed in the discussion, without passing the same. This practice is possible because there is no time limit for the members to speak in the House.
Floor Crossing
The practice of floor crossing refers to the defection of a Member of Parliament from the party he was elected to another political party. The practice of defection indicates the lack of ideological hold of the party over its members and it leads to instability in the Government or disregard to the people's mandate.
Fourth Estate
The term Fourth Estate refers to the press and media and it was used for the first time by Edmund Burke. In England, the three classes sharing power in Government were called the Three Estates - Lord Spiritual, Lord Temporal and Commons. Eventually with the growing influence of the press in public affairs, it was recognised as the Fourth Estate. In the French political society before the revolution of 1789, the Pope, the King and the rising bourgeoisie were termed as the Three Estates.
Fourth World
The term Fourth World is used for those poor countries of the Third World, which are at the bottom of the development scale. These countries are either less developed or the development process is yet to start. Some of the characteristics of the countries included in the fourth world are, a very poor economic base, lack of industrial development and high share of agricultural production in GNP, excessive dependence on foreign financial resources and resulting acute problem of debt trap.
Free Trade
It means reduction in and gradual elimination of the tariff and quota restrictions imposed on the foreign trade (imports) by different countries. With the elimination of such restrictions, the flow of the foreign trade in both the directions becomes smooth and easy. The present phase of globalisation supports the practice of free trade among all the countries. Gallup poll
This is a method of surveying and collecting people's opinion on various issues. It was developed by American public opinion expert George Gallup.
Federalism is a constitutional arrangement in which the powers and responsibilities of the Government are divided between the Union or the Federal Government and the Provincial or the State Governments through the written Constitution. Both the Governments are autonomous in their respective jurisdictions. The United State of America is the first Federal State in the world, which came into being in 1789. The other characteristics of a Federal State are: rigid Constitution, independent federal Judiciary, double citizenship, etc. Indian Constitution also provides for a Federal System of Government, but the distribution of powers is tilted in favour of a strong Central Government. Thus, it is remarked that the Indian Constitution is federal in form but it is unitary in spirit.
Fifth Column
It refers to a group or persons within a country, which conspire with foreign countries against the national interests of their own country. The fifth column is found involved in such clandestine activities as inciting violence and disaffection among the people, organising rebellion against the Government or sending vital strategic information to the foreign enemy country.
Filibustering
The practice of filibustering is frequently used by the members in the Legislative process of the American Senate. It means a practice of prolonging a debate on a bill or a matter by speaking unduly long time by members so that the voting on the bill would not be held and the Bill shall be dropped, as its allocated time has lapsed in the discussion, without passing the same. This practice is possible because there is no time limit for the members to speak in the House.
Floor Crossing
The practice of floor crossing refers to the defection of a Member of Parliament from the party he was elected to another political party. The practice of defection indicates the lack of ideological hold of the party over its members and it leads to instability in the Government or disregard to the people's mandate.
Fourth Estate
The term Fourth Estate refers to the press and media and it was used for the first time by Edmund Burke. In England, the three classes sharing power in Government were called the Three Estates - Lord Spiritual, Lord Temporal and Commons. Eventually with the growing influence of the press in public affairs, it was recognised as the Fourth Estate. In the French political society before the revolution of 1789, the Pope, the King and the rising bourgeoisie were termed as the Three Estates.
Fourth World
The term Fourth World is used for those poor countries of the Third World, which are at the bottom of the development scale. These countries are either less developed or the development process is yet to start. Some of the characteristics of the countries included in the fourth world are, a very poor economic base, lack of industrial development and high share of agricultural production in GNP, excessive dependence on foreign financial resources and resulting acute problem of debt trap.
Free Trade
It means reduction in and gradual elimination of the tariff and quota restrictions imposed on the foreign trade (imports) by different countries. With the elimination of such restrictions, the flow of the foreign trade in both the directions becomes smooth and easy. The present phase of globalisation supports the practice of free trade among all the countries. Gallup poll
This is a method of surveying and collecting people's opinion on various issues. It was developed by American public opinion expert George Gallup.
G:
Genocide
The organised mass killing of the people belonging to a particular community or ethnic origin by a group or the Government itself is called genocide. In 1970, the Pakistani Army was accused of genocide of the people of Bangladesh as they were demanding liberation from the then Pakistan. The United Nations has declared it as a 'crime against humanity' by enacting a convention of the nations to that effect.
Gerrymandering
This refers to the practice prevalent in the American politics in which the ruling party demarcates the electoral constituencies in a manner which ensures the election of more candidates of the ruling party. This may be termed an unethical political practice, as it involves manipulation of the constituencies in favour of the ruling party, which is detrimental to the election prospects of other parties.
Glasnost
It is a term of Russian origin which literally means 'openness'. The term was used by the President of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev to describe his policy of openness in public and the Government affairs. The policies of Glasnost and Perestroika (meaning reconstruction) were advocated by him to reform economy, polity and society of the Soviet Union but these policies eventually led to the disintegration of the country.
Guerrilla Warfare
It means fighting by small independent groups, characterised by surprise and secret attack on the enemy. The technique of Guerrilla warfare is adopted by a weak and small army in comparison to big army of enemy. The activities of Guerrillas are secret and hidden. Marathas used the technique of Guerrilla warfare against Mughal army. Similarly, the communist revolutionaries led by Mao in China scored success against Chinese defence forces through Guerrilla warfare.
GuillotineThe organised mass killing of the people belonging to a particular community or ethnic origin by a group or the Government itself is called genocide. In 1970, the Pakistani Army was accused of genocide of the people of Bangladesh as they were demanding liberation from the then Pakistan. The United Nations has declared it as a 'crime against humanity' by enacting a convention of the nations to that effect.
Gerrymandering
This refers to the practice prevalent in the American politics in which the ruling party demarcates the electoral constituencies in a manner which ensures the election of more candidates of the ruling party. This may be termed an unethical political practice, as it involves manipulation of the constituencies in favour of the ruling party, which is detrimental to the election prospects of other parties.
Glasnost
It is a term of Russian origin which literally means 'openness'. The term was used by the President of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev to describe his policy of openness in public and the Government affairs. The policies of Glasnost and Perestroika (meaning reconstruction) were advocated by him to reform economy, polity and society of the Soviet Union but these policies eventually led to the disintegration of the country.
Guerrilla Warfare
It means fighting by small independent groups, characterised by surprise and secret attack on the enemy. The technique of Guerrilla warfare is adopted by a weak and small army in comparison to big army of enemy. The activities of Guerrillas are secret and hidden. Marathas used the technique of Guerrilla warfare against Mughal army. Similarly, the communist revolutionaries led by Mao in China scored success against Chinese defence forces through Guerrilla warfare.
In France, before the revolution, Guillotine was a sharp iron weapon used by the State for beheading the criminals who were awarded death sentence. It was named after its inventor who was incidentally its first victim. Thus, it denotes a sudden and short killing of a person. From this analogy, the term in politics refers to a sudden end of a controversy or debate on an issue. In modern Parliamentary practices, it specifically means the sudden closure of a debate on an issue and the matter is put to the vote of the House.
Gun Boat Diplomacy
It refers to use of military threat by a country against another country to achieve some diplomatic objectives. In fact, it is not the actual use of force but involves arms-twisting by displaying military threat. For example, America used Gun Boat diplomacy against India during 1971 Pakistan war when it sent its 7th fleet of ships in the Indian Ocean to pressurise India to declare ceasefire.
H:
Hegemony
It denotes a position of dominance excercised by one group or a nation over other similar groups or nations. In international relations, it signifies the influencial position of a nation which is capable of influencing the foreign policies of other
nations.
Hijacking
It means illegal control or capture or forced movement of a plane by a group of terrorists or criminals in order to pressurise the Government to accept their demands by threatening to kill the passengers or to destroy the plane. There are a number of instances of hijacking. In 1999, the Indian plane was hijacked to Afghanistan by Kashmiri militants in order to secure the release of some other militants imprisoned in Indian jails.
Hung Parliament
When in a general election no political party or coalition of the political parties is in a position to form a majority Government, such a Parliament is called a Hung Parliament.
I:
Impeachment
It refers to the provision of removing important public officials from their office by passing a resolution to that effect by the Parliament. In India, the President is removed through impeachment motion passed by a two third majority of total membership in each House of the Parliament.
Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy or goal of extending the power and rule of a government beyond the boundaries of its original state, and taking into one political unit other nations or lands. There are variations in the extent to which the imperial power assumes administrative and political control for the states that make up the empire; some retain degrees of independence and identity, while others are subsumed entirely into the institutions of the imperial state. Neither is it necessary that an empire has any specific form of central government, though there must be one central and ultimately overwhelming force, otherwise it is more likely to be an alliance, league or loose federation. In the modern world many dictators have come to power as leaders of mass movements.
Insurgency
It means organisation of secret clandestine activities to destabilise or overthrow the Government by a group of persons. Such persons are called insurgents and more often, they get support from some foreign countries which are not in good term with the concerned nation. In lighter form, insurgents may act as an illegal pressure group which employ tactics of violence and arm struggle to seed their goals.
It refers to the provision of removing important public officials from their office by passing a resolution to that effect by the Parliament. In India, the President is removed through impeachment motion passed by a two third majority of total membership in each House of the Parliament.
Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy or goal of extending the power and rule of a government beyond the boundaries of its original state, and taking into one political unit other nations or lands. There are variations in the extent to which the imperial power assumes administrative and political control for the states that make up the empire; some retain degrees of independence and identity, while others are subsumed entirely into the institutions of the imperial state. Neither is it necessary that an empire has any specific form of central government, though there must be one central and ultimately overwhelming force, otherwise it is more likely to be an alliance, league or loose federation. In the modern world many dictators have come to power as leaders of mass movements.
Insurgency
It means organisation of secret clandestine activities to destabilise or overthrow the Government by a group of persons. Such persons are called insurgents and more often, they get support from some foreign countries which are not in good term with the concerned nation. In lighter form, insurgents may act as an illegal pressure group which employ tactics of violence and arm struggle to seed their goals.
Interim Government
This Government is formed during the transitional phase of the history of the the country. It is a full-fledged Government and can take any policy decisions. In India, the interim Government came to power with the Independence of India Act on 15th August and lasted till March, 1952.
Iron Curtain
This term is used with respect to the communist countries like the former Soviet Union or China to signify their policy of restriction and control over the freedoms of their respective citizens to ward off any external influence on their thoughts and behaviour. The net result of the Iron Curtain is that the external world is totally unaware of the political happenings in these countries and the rule of the Communist Party is firmly entrenched.
Isolationism
Isolationism is a foreign policy strategy in which a nation announces that it has absolutely no interest in international affairs, nor in the affairs of other nations, as long as they do not affect any vital interest of its own; this implies a neutrality in most possible conflicts. The most famous example is the foreign policy of the USA during much of the 19th century and in the inter-war period of the 20th century, where isolationism as regards any part of the globe other than the western hemisphere was a corollary of the Monroe Doctrine enunciated in 1823.
This Government is formed during the transitional phase of the history of the the country. It is a full-fledged Government and can take any policy decisions. In India, the interim Government came to power with the Independence of India Act on 15th August and lasted till March, 1952.
Iron Curtain
This term is used with respect to the communist countries like the former Soviet Union or China to signify their policy of restriction and control over the freedoms of their respective citizens to ward off any external influence on their thoughts and behaviour. The net result of the Iron Curtain is that the external world is totally unaware of the political happenings in these countries and the rule of the Communist Party is firmly entrenched.
Isolationism
Isolationism is a foreign policy strategy in which a nation announces that it has absolutely no interest in international affairs, nor in the affairs of other nations, as long as they do not affect any vital interest of its own; this implies a neutrality in most possible conflicts. The most famous example is the foreign policy of the USA during much of the 19th century and in the inter-war period of the 20th century, where isolationism as regards any part of the globe other than the western hemisphere was a corollary of the Monroe Doctrine enunciated in 1823.
J:
Jacobins
The Jacobins were a revolutionary group during the French Revolution of 1789 onwards, and their principal fight was for the creation of a single national parliament, democratically expressing the will of the people and solely symbolizing the sovereignty of the state. Revolutionary leaders, such as Lenin, who have ruled through centrally-imposed decision, as they maintain for the good of the populace, have also been described as Jacobin.
Judicial Review
Judicial review is a method whereby a superior judicial body may decide whether an executive or legislative action is constitutional. It is most frequently used when a court decides that an act of the legislature is unconstitutional and hence void, as in the USA where the Supreme Court has, over the past 200 years, declared invalid some significant acts of Congress as well as pronounced unconstitutional certain congressional procedures, such as the legislative veto.
Supreme Court
(a) Constitutional/Full Bench - constitutes of five or more Judges of the Supreme Court.
(b) Divisional Bench - constitutes of two or more Judges of the Supreme Court but in case of participation of the Chief Justice, three or more Judges of the Supreme Court.
High Court
(a) Full Bench - 3 or more Judges.
(b) Divisional Bench - 2 or more Judges.
(c) Single Bench - only one Judge.
L:
Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire is the doctrine that the government of a state should have no control at all over economic matters. It is especially associated with 19th-century Liberalism, but is by no means absent from the modern world. In origin it was a liberal opposition to traditional, semi-feudal, monopolistic patterns in which the state involved itself in direct control of aspects of the economy for general purposes of policy. It later came to signify opposition to any governmental infringement on the absolute freedom of contract, because it was believed that maximal economic performance was possible only where the market forces of supply and demand were allowed to find their own balance, under which conditions everyone, whether entrepreneur or unskilled worker, would be better off.
Lame-Duck session
It refers to the last session of an existing Parliament when the elections to the new Parliament are announced and are shortly due. In fact, those members of the existing Parliament are called Lame-Duck, who could not find place in the new Parliament.
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