Where everything is bipartisan until it is not.
Excessive zeal or fanatical devotion to a cause, belief system, or ideology, often characterized by extreme behavior and intolerance of opposing viewpoints. Zealotry prioritizes ideological purity over pragmatism or compromise.
In a manner opposed to or acting against revolutionary goals, movements, or principles; adverbially describing actions or positions that resist or seek to undo revolutionary change.
When political parties move to ideological extremes and refuse compromise, making the center disappear. Democracy's current mood disorder.
An agreement or understanding between nations, particularly informal ones. Basically friends with benefits, but for countries.
A government representative skilled in negotiation and tact, basically a professional liar with impeccable manners.
A rapid migration of people to an area following the discovery of gold deposits, most famously the 1849 California Gold Rush. Gold rushes typically trigger sudden economic booms, population explosions, and significant social upheaval as prospectors race to stake claims and extract wealth.
To exclude or banish someone from a group, community, or society, typically as a form of social punishment or rejection. The term carries the weight of deliberate, often coordinated exclusion rather than mere disagreement.
A conflict where two powerful rivals fight through smaller nations or groups instead of directly confronting each other. Cowardly war for the nuclear age.
The dominance of one power or ideology over others. It's what happens when one country gets too big for its britches.
The process by which colonies achieved independence from colonial powers, often messily. Freedom tastes better when you fight for it.
The pelt or hide of a bear, historically used for clothing, rugs, and ceremonial garments; also, the distinctive tall fur hat worn by British military regiments, particularly the Household Division. The modern military version is an iconic symbol of British pageantry.
Having an intense fear, hatred, or intolerance of people from other countries or cultures. The term combines the Greek 'xenos' (foreign) with 'phobos' (fear), describing an attitude that views foreigners or foreign things as threatening or inferior.
A satirical nickname for George W. Bush highlighting his perceived detachment from reality and current events, particularly regarding his response to Hurricane Katrina and various foreign policy decisions. It's political snark disguised as wordplay.
The feel-good moment when people admit they see and value what you've done—officially, legally, or grudgingly. Basically when society upgrades you from 'we'll pretend you don't exist' to 'fine, we acknowledge your existence.' Example: International recognition of the new government came quickly.
A province or administrative district, particularly in ancient Egypt or modern Greece, governed by a nomarch or regional administrator. It represents a unit of territorial organization between local towns and the central state.
A person who fears, hates, or is prejudiced against foreigners or people from other countries and cultures. Xenophobes often advocate for isolation or discriminatory policies against outsiders.
Plural noun referring to individuals or groups actively opposed to revolutionary movements or who seek to overturn revolutionary governments and restore previous political systems. They work against the goals and methods of revolutionaries.
The ideology, movement, or practice of opposing a revolution or revolutionary changes, typically by those seeking to restore a previous political or social order. Counterrevolutionists actively resist revolutionary ideals and attempt to preserve or reinstate traditional systems.
A person who relentlessly chases media attention and provokes journalists, viewing controversy and publicity as currency regardless of the collateral damage to actual journalism or public discourse. Basically an attention vampire with a Twitter account.
Using technical rules and parliamentary procedure to delay or block action without a substantive argument against the underlying policy. It's what you do when you know your idea is bad but still want to prevent others' ideas.
Bills or amendments introduced at the last minute with minimal debate or transparency, often bundled into massive spending bills as a vehicle for controversial provisions.
The process of building or upgrading the underlying systems and facilities necessary to support economic activity or public services. Often discussed in government planning.
The arrival and descent of a spacecraft on the Moon's surface, most famously achieved by Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969, when humans walked on the lunar surface for the first time. The term now broadly refers to any successful lunar landing by any nation or private entity.
A person who actively opposes revolutionary movements or revolutionary governments, typically seeking to restore or preserve pre-revolutionary political systems, institutions, or social order.