distributism

Distributism is an economic theory asserting that the world’s productive assets should be widely owned rather than concentrated.[1] Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, distributism was based upon the principles of Catholic social teaching, especially the teachings of Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical Rerum novarum (1891) and Pope Pius XI in Quadragesimo anno (1931).[2][3][4] Distributism views both laissez-faire capitalism and state socialism as equally flawed and exploitative, favoring economic

3 Comments

equality

Society Political equality, in which all members of a society are of equal standing Consociationalism, in which an ethnically, religiously, or linguistically divided state functions by cooperation of each group’s elites Egalitarianism, a trend of thought that favors equality for all people Equal opportunity, a stipulation that all people should be treated similarly Equality

7 Comments

feminist linguistics

History Linguistic activism and feminist authorship stemming from second wave feminism in the 1960s and 70s began to draw attention to gender bias in language, including “the uncovering of the gendered nature of many linguistic rules and norms”.[6] Scholarship such as Dennis Baron’s Grammar and Gender and Anne Bodine’s “Androcentrism in Prescriptive Grammar” uncovered historical male regulation to promote male-centric language such as the use of “he” as

2 Comments

feminist methodology

The feminist method is a means of conducting of scientific investigations and generating theory from an explicitly feminist standpoint.[1] Feminist methodologies are varied, but tend to have a few common aims or characteristics, including seeking to overcome biases in research, bringing about social change, displaying human diversity, and acknowledging the position of the researcher.[2] Questioning normal scientific reasoning is another

2 Comments

game theory

Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interaction among rational decision-makers.[1] It has applications in all fields of social science, as well as in logic, systems science and computer science. Originally, it addressed zero-sum games, in which each participant’s gains or losses are exactly balanced by those of the other participants. In the 21st century, game theory applies to a wide range

3 Comments

general strike

A general strike (or mass strike) is a strike action in which a substantial proportion of the total labour force in a city, region, or country participates. General strikes are characterised by the participation of workers in a multitude of workplaces and tend to involve entire communities. General strikes first occurred in the mid-19th century and have characterised many historically important

1 Comments

grounded theory

Grounded theory is a systematic methodology that has been largely, but not exclusively, applied to qualitative research conducted by social scientists. The methodology involves the construction of hypotheses and theories through the collecting and analysis of data.[1][2][3] Grounded theory involves the application of inductive reasoning. The methodology contrasts with the hypothetico-deductive model used in traditional scientific research. A study based on grounded

2 Comments

materialist theory of history

Historical materialism, also known as the materialist conception of history, is a methodology used by scientific socialist and Marxist historiographers that focuses on human societies and their development through history, arguing that history is the result of material conditions rather than ideals. This was first articulated by Karl Marx (1818–1883) as the “materialist conception of history”.[1] It is principally a theory of history which asserts that the material conditions of a

6 Comments

neo-corporatism

Corporatism is a political ideology which advocates the organization of society by corporate groups, such as agricultural, labour, military, scientific, or guild associations, on the basis of their common interests.[1][2] The term is derived from the Latin corpus, or “human body”. The hypothesis that society will reach a peak of harmonious functioning when each of its divisions efficiently performs its

3 Comments

PCism

Pejorative term for an overly rigid or token adherence to a liberal canon of beliefs. This novel orthodoxy first surfaced in the USA as lobbyists for disadvantaged minorities began exerting significant political influence; and, consequently, as issues of gender, ethnicity and physical disability were widely promoted as legitimate subjects for sympathetic academic scrutiny. Opponents

2 Comments

plutocracy

Now little used, this term describes a situation where political power, in fact rather than in law or constitutional theory, lies with the wealthy. A plutocracy (Greek: πλοῦτος, ploutos, ‘wealth’ and κράτος, kratos, ‘power’) or plutarchy is a society that is ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income. The first known use of the term in English dates from 1631.[1] Unlike systems such as democracy, liberalism, socialism, communism or anarchism,

1 Comments

positive law

Application of theory of positivism to law. Law consists simply of the enforceable commands of government. It does not depend for its validity on any other criteria, and there are no religious or normative values by which it can be deemed invalid. Source: David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought (Oxford, 1987)

3 Comments

post-modernism

Theory of cultural and political variety. The account of the world given by MODERNISM no longer works in the final decades of the 20th century. Instead of single sets of values or political loyalties, there is a wide variety of groups and classes, aims and ideologies. Source: David Harvey, The Condition of Postmodernity (Oxford,

2 Comments

sexism

An assumption of fundamental male superiority. The observable differences between men and women are neither accidental nor socially constructed but are the expression of fundamental and immutable differences which justify the different treatment of men and women and the privileges of the former. Sexism is normally an implication underlying many different theories rather than

5 Comments

volonte generale

Theory propounded initially by the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). There is a general will of society as a whole which is distinct from the particular wills of individuals. The general will is both the truest interest of individuals, and the justification for government; although, paradoxically, individuals may consent to a government that thereafter limits their

1 Comments

Blue ocean strategy

The Blue ocean strategy was developed by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne in their research in 2005. By analyzing 150 business strategies during over 100 years in 30 different industrial sectors, Kim and Mauborgne (2005) propose that firms succeed not because of fighting with their rivals, but because they have created “blue ocean”

5 Comments

The Consolation of Philosophy (Boethieus, 524)

The Consolation of Philosophy (Latin: De consolatione philosophiae) is a philosophical work by the Roman statesman Boethius, written around the year 524. It has been described as the single most important and influential work in the West on Medieval and early Renaissance Christianity, as well as the last great Western work of the Classical Period. Boethius was an eminent public figure under the

1 Comments

On Liberty – by Mill John Stuart (1860)

On Liberty is a philosophical essay by the English philosopher John Stuart Mill. Published in 1859, it applies Mill’s ethical system of utilitarianism to society and state. Mill suggests standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. He emphasizes the importance of individuality, which he considers prerequisite to the higher pleasures—the summum bonum of utilitarianism. Furthermore, Mill asserts that democratic ideals may result in the tyranny

1 Comments

The Communist Manifesto – by Marx Karl, Frederick Engels (1848)

The Communist Manifesto, originally the Manifesto of the Communist Party (German: Manifest der Kommunistischen Partei), is an 1848 pamphlet by German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Commissioned by the Communist League and originally published in London just as the Revolutions of 1848 began to erupt, the Manifesto was later recognised as one of the world’s most influential political documents. It presents an analytical approach to the class struggle (historical

2 Comments

The Republic – by Plato (375 BC)

The Republic (Greek: Πολιτεία, translit. Politeia; Latin: De Republica) is a Socratic dialogue, authored by Plato around 375 BC, concerning justice (δικαιοσύνη), the order and character of the just city-state, and the just man. It is Plato’s best-known work, and has proven to be one of the world’s most influential works of philosophy and political theory, both intellectually and historically. In the dialogue, Socrates talks with various Athenians and foreigners about the

1 Comments