Heywood - Essentials of Political Ideas

A form of feminism that advances a positive image of women’s attributes and propensities, usually stressing creativity, caring and human sympathy, and cooperation.

A form of government in which political power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or small group, in particular, an absolute monarchy.

Policies or programmes that are designed to benefit disadvantaged minority groups (or, potentially, women) by affording them special assistance.

To be separated from one’s genuine or essential nature; used by Marxists to describe the process whereby, under capitalism, labour is reduced to being a mere commodity.

Concern for the interests and welfare of others, based either on enlightened self-interest or on a belief in a common humanity.

The possession of both male and female characteristics; used to imply that human beings are sexless ‘persons’ in the sense that sex is irrelevant to their social role or political status.

Moral entitlements that are based on the belief that as animals are non-human ‘persons’, they deserve the same consideration (at least in certain areas) as human beings.

A weakening of values and normative rules, associated with feelings of isolation, loneliness and meaninglessness.

A belief that human needs and interests are of overriding moral and philosophical importance; the opposite of ecocentrism.

A rejection of, and/or alienation from, conventional politicians and mainstream political parties.

The process through which immigrant communities lose their cultural distinctiveness by adjusting to the values, allegiances and lifestyles of the ‘host’ society.

A belief that society is made up of a collection of self-interested and largely self-sufficient individuals, or atoms, rather than social groups.

Sternness or severity; as an economic strategy, austerity refers to public spending cuts designed to eradicate a budget deficit, and underpinned by faith in market forces.

The right to exert influence over others by virtue of an acknowledged obligation to obey.

The principle that all organisms and entities in the biosphere are of equal moral worth, each being an expression of the goodness of nature.