Mutual aid (19TH CENTURY)

Theory of beneficient anarchism described by Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921). Mutual assistance amongst members of the same species is as natural as competition. The species – and by implication the societies – that have prospered and will prosper are those characterized by such voluntary support amongst their members rather than by conflict or competition. Source: David Miller,

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Mutually assured destruction (MAD) (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of security through nuclear weaponry. Since each state has enough nuclear weapons to destroy the other even if attacked first, any state beginning a nuclear war will cause the destruction of both itself and its opponent. This will deter it from so doing. Also see: balance of terror, deterrence Source: Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newnham,

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Myth

Theory of the function of beliefs. Stories about the destiny of nations, races, classes, or political groups have an important function which is quite independent of their truthfulness. The belief in some ultimate goal gives purpose; and the belief in some (mythical) identity as a race, a chosen political order, or a special nation

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Nationalism

Theory of the nation as the basis for government. People are identified as members of historically and culturally distinct nations. The frontiers of states and the frontiers of nations should coincide; and where they do not, government should be divided or reorganized in order to achieve this. Source: David Miller et al., eds, The

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Natural justice

Theory of general or absolute legal principles. There are principles of natural justice which are independent of historical circumstances or the details or conventions of particular legal systems. These principles provide that there shall be redress or protection against injury; and, at the level of legal procedure, adjudication shall be independent (hence that no

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Natural law

Theory of basis of human law. There are natural laws, either in the sense of being embedded in the essence of human society or human nature, or as being expressed through its development over time. The justification for ‘manufactured’ law lies in its expression of natural law, and the task of the legislator is thus

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Natural rights

Theory of human rights. Rights arise from the nature of human or social existence, in the same way as does natural law. There is disagreement as to whether rights are surrendered, or transformed, or held in abeyance when people enter political, law-governed society. Source: David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Thought (Oxford, 1987) Natural

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Neo-conservatism (20TH CENTURY)

A term referring to the views of North American conservatives in the second half of the 20th century. Conservatism in the United States became radical and assertive from the 1960s onwards, combining liberal economics and a suspicion of the state with authoritarian moral attitudes and a bellicose foreign policy. Such views constituted part of the new right. Source:

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Neo-functionalism (20TH CENTURY)

A version of functionalism in international relations theory. An attempt to account for the development of functional relationships which transcend individual states, particularly in regionally limited systems such as Europe and the European Union. Source: Graham EvaNeo-functionalismThe Dictionary of World Politics (Hemel Hempstead, 1990) Neofunctionalism is a theory of regional integration which downplays globalisation and reintroduces territory into its governance. Jean Monnet’s approach to European integration,

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Neo-liberalism (20TH CENTURY)

Theories of revived classical liberalism in the 20th century. The market is the most effective (or least irrational) method of distributing goods and resources, and the role of the state should be limited to the maintenance of necessary order, legality, and stability. Source: Desmond King, The New Right: Politics, Markets and Citizenship (London, 1987) Terminology Origins Friedrich Hayek

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Neo-Marxism (20TH CENTURY)

Theories of European Marxists after the Russian Revolution. As with all uses of the prefix ‘neo’, the essential distinction is between contemporary or near contemporary views, and earlier ones (for example,neo-conservatism, neo-corporatism and neo-liberalism). The theories designated as ‘neo-‘ Marxist were concerned in particular with culture and ideology, and with the role of capitalist states’ welfare institutions in

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New class (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of elites in state socialist (communist) societies of the Yugoslav writer MILOVAN DJILAS (1911-1995). Within state socialist societies a ‘new class’ of party officials – who exercise a command over resources similar to that exercised by capitalists – has arisen to frustrate the egalitarian intentions of the regimes’ founders. Source: Milovan Djilas, The

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New left (20TH CENTURY)

Body of radical cultural and political theories of the 1960s and 1970s. Convergence theory promoted oligarchy, orthodoxy, and the wilting of democracy in both Eastern and Western Europe. New participatory and decentralized forms of political and social organization would be an antidote to this, feminism and industrial democracy were key elements. Source: Rodney Barker, Political Ideas

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New liberalism (20TH CENTURY)

Adaptation of liberalism to collectivism. The liberal demand for freedom was best met, in a democracy, by the use of state power to enhance the material opportunities of citizens, thus promoting equal liberty. Source: Rodney Barker, Political Ideas in Modern Britain (London, 1978) New Liberalism may refer to: New liberalism as a synonym for social liberalism New Liberalism (Colombia), a party A rare

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New right (20TH CENTURY)

Alliance of economic liberal and conservative theory. In economic affairs, the state should encourage free markets and private economic enterprise. In cultural and moral affairs it should sustain traditional values in education and family life. Source: Desmond King, The New Right: Politics, Markets and Citizenship (London, 1987) History The word “New Right” appeared during the 1964

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Niccolo Machiavelli

Ideas – Wisdom in the ways of the world can be achieved by careful observation of how people act an a study of history. – Human nature is such that individuals will seek gratification of their listing for power, pleasures, and profit. – The essential feture of all society struggle and intense competitiveness. –

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Nicos Poulantzas

Nicos Poulantzas, a Greek political scientist and euro-communist activist, was born in Athens. In 1960, he moved to France, where he lived and worked during the 60s and 70s.. His most famous works were Political Power and Social Classes, 1973 and Classes in Contemporary Capitalism, 1975. Nicos Poulantzas developed theories of social classes and

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NIMBY (not in my back yard) (20TH CENTURY)

Phrase attributed to Walton Rodger and widely linked to British Conservative politician and minister Nicholas Ridley (1929-1993). There are always those who attempt to exclude themselves from the consequences of policies which in general they support. A house owner might advocate new motorways, but not at the bottom of his or her own back-garden.

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Noblesse oblige

Theory of aristocratic duties. Nobility, distinction, aristocracy or good fortune are privileges which therefore involve corresponding obligations to public service. Meaning and variants “Noblesse oblige” is generally used to imply that with wealth, power, and prestige come responsibilities. In ethical discussion, it is sometimes[citation needed] used to summarize a moral economy wherein privilege must be balanced by duty towards those who lack such

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Oligarchy

Theory that power will normally be concentrated. The term is used by Aristotle to describe the corrupt alternative to aristrocracy. It now commonly denotes the situation described by elitism and by the iron law of oligarchy. Minority rule Main article: Minoritarianism The exclusive consolidation of power by a dominant religious or ethnic minority has also been described as a form of oligarchy.[8] Examples of this system

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