Political Glossary: What Terms Actually Mean
A political glossary with clear, nonpolitical definitions of common terms to explain what they actually mean.
Resources and information to be a more informed citizen and voter.
A political glossary with clear, nonpolitical definitions of common terms to explain what they actually mean.
Many Americans feel powerless in the face of Trump’s second-term policies, but real change starts with individual action. Whether it’s protesting, contacting representatives, boycotting unethical companies, or securing your digital presence, every effort adds up. You don’t have to do everything—just do one thing. It matters.
Donald Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on China and is considering 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which could increase prices on everyday goods like electronics, fresh produce, cars, and building materials. While Trump argues tariffs protect U.S. industries, experts warn that American consumers will bear the cost, with an estimated $800 yearly tax burden per household. China has already retaliated with its own tariffs, and further trade disruptions could follow.
Reliable news literacy sources to help you spot misinformation and ensure you’re consuming reputable content.
The “radical left” typically describes the far-left wing of the political spectrum, advocating for transformative social and economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and addressing systemic issues. Historically linked to ideologies like Marxism and socialism, the radical left seeks significant government intervention or even structural change. However, in American politics, the term is often used more broadly to label progressive policies as extreme, even when they focus on reforms within a capitalist framework rather than dismantling it entirely.
Fascism is a political system in which a leader or government has total control and often uses force to stay in power. People are not allowed to disagree with the leader, and the government controls almost everything in society, including the economy. Fascism values loyalty to the country and leader above all else and usually rejects democracy, which allows people to vote and have freedoms. Fascist governments often focus on making everyone follow the same rules and beliefs and may use the military to enforce their power.
Marxism is a political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx. It argues that society is divided into two main classes: the wealthy, who own businesses and control resources, and the working class, who do most of the labor but get little in return. Marxism believes this inequality causes conflict and calls for a revolution where the working class takes control, leading to a society with no classes, where wealth and power are shared equally.
Communism is a classless ideology where resources are collectively owned, aiming to eliminate inequality and private property, as envisioned by Karl Marx.
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