Feminism

Analysis of exploitation of women, and proposals for alternatives. The varieties of feminism are very great. All involve the assumption that, as a matter of observable fact, women are a category oppressed and exploited by men as a category. Both the accounts of this division, and the proposals for reform, revolution, or transformation differ

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Fetishism

The attribution of qualities, often religious or magical, to material objects. A concept most familiar by its adaptation within Marxism as ‘commodity fetishism’. Source: Roger Scruton, A Dictionary of Political Thought (London, 1982) Historiography The term “fetish” has evolved from an idiom used to describe a type of object created in the interaction between European travelers

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Feudalism (MIDDLE AGES)

A medieval theory in which society was deemed to be held together by ties of loyalty and obligation between persons in a hierarchy. The essential currency was land and military service, the former held in return for the latter. Feudalism was a hierachy of lords and vassals, and it was possible to be both

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Foco theory (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of revolution associated with the Cuban guerrilla leader and politician Che Guevara (1928-1967). It is not necessary to wait until revolutionary conditions have developed, since a dedicated small group can ignite a revolution, thus creating both the uprising and the conditions which make it possible. Foco theory thus goes further than either detonator theory or Leninism in its reliance on revolutionary elitism.

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Gatekeeping theory (20TH CENTURY)

Concept in systems theory. In a political system there are ‘gatekeepers’, individuals or institutions which control access to positions of power and regulate the flow of information and political influence. Feminists have adapted this theory to explain male control of language and knowledge. Source: Geoffrey Roberts and Alistair Edwards, A New Dictionary of Political Analysis, (London, 1991)

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Gaze (20TH CENTURY)

Feminist theory of presentation of women in culture. Women are presented in works of art and literature, and particularly in film, through three principal male perspectives or ‘gazes’. Each divides by gender, and treats women in a demeaning way as objects of male voyeurism. Source: Maggie Humm, The Dictionary of Feminist Theory (London, 1989)

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Gender theory (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of relative weight of NATURE AND NURTURE. The biological differences between males and females – sexual differences – account for a relatively small part of the actual differences between men and women. Most of these differences are matters not of sex but of gender which, unlike sex, is socially formed and cultivated. Differences

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General will (1762)

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

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Geopolitics

Theory linked with Swedish political scientist RUDOLF KJELLEN (1864-1922) and German political geographer Karl Haushofer (1869-1946). Nations are understood as analogous to natural organisms, competing for geographical space. An archaic theory. Source: Roger Scruton, A Dictionary of Political Thought (London, 1982) United States Alfred Thayer Mahan and sea power Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840–1914) was a

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Great man theory

Theory associated with the Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881). The most significant contribution to any society is made by outstanding individuals. It is such great men, rather than circumstances or broad social or historical movement, who are responsible for progress. Source: B E Lippincot, Victorian Critics of Democracy (Minneapolis, 1938) Overview Carlyle stated that

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Grotian theory (20TH CENTURY)

Named after the Dutch legal theorist Hugo Grotius (1583-1645). Concepts of law and justice can be applied to international society in the manner implied in the work of Grotius, and can find expression in the practice of collective security. Source: Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newnham, The Dictionary of World Politics (Hemel Hempstead, 1990) “Hugo de

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Group theory (20TH CENTURY)

Theory developed in the USA, of politics as the action of groups. Neither individuals nor whole societies are significant political actors. The actions of groups in pursuit of their various interests are the sources of policy and the substance of politics. Group theory is thus a species of pluralism. Source: Bernard Crick, The American Science of Politics

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Guild socialism (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of pluralism and workers’ control developed in Great Britain. Workers should control their own crafts and industries, but should be responsible to the interests of society as a whole through representative institutions based on occupation rather than geographical constituencies. This was a compromise between syndicalism and social democracy. Source: Rodney Barker, Political Ideas in Modern Britain (London, 1989) History and development[edit]

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Heartland theory (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of geopolitics described by the British geographer Sir Halford Mackinder (1861-1947). The group or nation which dominates the ‘heartland’ can then extend its domination over a far wider area. This heartland has at various times been Central Asia, the high seas, and Eurasia. Source: Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newnham, The Dictionary of World Politics (Hemel

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Hegemonic stability theory (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of international politics. Nations achieve dominance in international systems, which they then must maintain by ‘rewards’ to less powerful nations. Such a system is, paradoxically, unstable. Source: Graham Evans and Jeffrey Newnham, The Dictionary of World Politics (Hemel Hempstead, 1990) Hegemonic rise In order for a nation-state to rise to the level of

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Hegemony (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of class domination associated with Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937). Previous Marxist theory had presented classes, especially the capitalist class, ruling via its domination of the state. Gramsci argued that domination of ideas and culture (hegemony) was equally effective, and that for the working class to challenge the existing order it would have – amongst other things –

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High politics (20TH CENTURY)

An account of political history given by British historian Maurice Cowling (1926- ). Politics is carried on within a relatively restricted world of politicians, officials, and public figures. It is guided not so much by general principles as by the desire of the participants to survive politically in response to changing circumstances. Source: Maurice

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Human imperfection (20TH CENTURY)

Element in conservatism. Human nature is inherently flawed, the secular equivalent of the doctrine of original sin. It is both useless and dangerous to pursue ambitious schemes of social or political progress. Government should, rather, seek to preserve order and check humanity’s natural viciousness. Source: David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought

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Hype (20TH CENTURY)

Political version of Gresham’s Law. People and institutions whose surface value (‘hype’) is less than their substance will be driven out by those of whom the reverse is true. ‘An ounce of presentation is worth a ton of production.’ Film and television Hype (TV series), an American comedy television series The Hype (TV series), an Australian television

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Ideology (20TH CENTURY)

Theory of knowledge and values. Term first used by the French philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754-1836) in 1795 to denote the general science of ideas, but now principally associated with Marxism. The major version of the theory of ideology sees both perceptions and values as shaped by the social situation of the person, and especially

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