fascism
[fash-iz-uh m]
noun
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power,
forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an
aggressive nationalism and often racism.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.
3. (initial capital letter) a political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially
the one established by Mussolini in Italy 1922–43.
- ** Nazism form of fascism that includes extreme racism**
socialism
[soh-shuh-liz-uh m]
noun
1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership
and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the
community as a whole.
2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to
communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.
communism
[kom-yuh-niz-uh m]
noun
1. a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in
common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
2. (often initial capital letter) a system of social organization in which all economic and
social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and selfperpetuating political party.
3. (initial capital letter) the principles and practices of the Communist Party.
4. communalism.
monarchy
[mon-er-kee]
noun, plural monarchies.
1. a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a
monarch.
Compare absolute monarchy, limited monarchy.
2. supreme power or sovereignty held by a single person.
totalitarian
[toh-tal-i-tair-ee-uh n]
adjective
1. of or relating to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that
exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.
2. exercising control over the freedom, will, or thought of others; authoritarian; autocratic.
democracy
[dih-mok-ruh-see]
noun, plural democracies.
1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is
vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a
free electoral system.
2. a state having such a form of government:
The United States and Canada are democracies.
3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.
4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.
5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the
common people with respect to their political power.
republic
[ri-puhb-lik]
noun
1. a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and
is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.
2. any body of persons viewed as a commonwealth.
3. a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of
state.
4. (initial capital letter) any of the five periods of republican government in France.
Compare First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic, Fourth Republic, Fifth
Republic.
5. (initial capital letter, italics) a philosophical dialogue (4th century b.c.) by Plato dealing
with the composition and structure of the ideal state.
theocracy
[thee-ok-ruh-see]
noun, plural theocracies.
1. a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler,
the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
2. a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.
3. a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.