Definition
Washington D.C. political culture and thinking, reference to Interstate 495 surrounding the capital. Where political reality diverges from actual reality, approximately measured by radius.
Example Usage
The scandal dominated coverage inside the Beltway, but polling showed voters in swing states barely noticed or cared.
Origin
From the Capital Beltway (I-495) completed in 1964, adopted as political shorthand by the 1980s
Fun Fact
Politicians often attack 'Beltway thinking' to demonstrate they're connected to regular people, usually while living inside the Beltway themselves.
Source: Political culture terminology
Related Terms
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See “inside the Beltway” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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