Dictionary Definitions

All definitions are extracted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Deluxe Edition © 1998

Arbitrary: 1. depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law 2.a. not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority. 3.a. based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something. b. existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will (p.91).

Aristocracy: 1. government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class 2. a: a government in which power is vested in a minority consisting of those believed to be best qualified (p. 95-6).

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 the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market (p. 265).

Capricious: Impulsive, unpredictable. Synonym see inconstant (p. 266).

Communism: 1.a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed. 2. b. a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production (p. 364).

Democracy: 1.a: government by the people; especially rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (p. 481).

Despot: 2.a. a ruler with absolute power and authority. b. a person exercising power tyrannically (p. 492-3).

Despotic: of, relating to, or characteristic of a despot (p. 493).

Fascism: 1. a political philosophy movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition (p. 665).

Federalism: 1.a: the distribution of power in an organization (as a government) between a central authority and the constituent units (p. 671).

Federal Reserve bank: one of 12 reserve banks set up under the Federal Reserve Act to hold reserves and discount commercial paper for affiliated banks in their respective districts (p. 672).

Freedom: 1. the quality or state of being free. 2. a political right (p.731).

Independent: 1.a.1: not subject to control by others: SELF-GOVERNING. b. 1. not requiring or relying on something else. 2. not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct. c.1. not requiring or relying on others (p. 932).

Liberalism: 2.b: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard (p.1056).

Libertarian: 2.a: a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action (p. 1056).

Liberty: 1. the quality or state of being free. c. freedom from arbitrary or despotic control. d. the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges. e. the power of choice. 2.b. permission especially to go freely within specified limits (p. 1056).

1 Progressive: 1.b. making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities. 4.a. increasing in extent or severity. b. increasing in rate as the base increases (p. 1462).

2 Progressive: 1.b. one believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action. 2.b. a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign of 1924. c. a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential campaign of 1948 (p. 1462).

Proletariat: 1. the lowest social or economic class of a community. 2. the laboring class, esp: the class of industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live (p. 1463).

Republic: 1.b (1): a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law (p. 1560).

Socialism: 1. any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. 2.a. a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b. a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. 3. a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done (p. 1746).

Socialist: 1. one who advocates or practices socialism (p. 1746).

Tyranny: 1. oppressive power <> esp: Oppressive power exerted by government (p. 2001).