The philosophy that power is the key variable in all political relationships and should be used pragmatically and prudently to advance the national interest; policies are judged good or bad on the basis of their effect on national interests, not on their level of morality.
The capacity to influence or control the behavior of persons and institutions, whether by persuasion or coercion.
In its sovereign form, an independent political-administrative unit that successfully claims the allegiance of a given population, exercises a monopoly on the legitimate use of coercive force, and controls the territory inhabited by its citizens or subjects.
As a political term, it refers loosely to a sovereign state and is roughly equivalent to nation or nation-state
In international politics, the use of military force or the threat to use force or other coercive measures such as freezing foreign assets or imposing strict economic sanctions.
The exercise of political power in a community in a way that is voluntarily accepted by the members of that community.
A philosophy of science, originated by Auguste Comte, that stresses observable, scientific facts as the sole basis of proof and truth; a skeptical view of ideas or beliefs based on religion or metaphysics.
A term often invoked but seldom defined, it is usually associated with power enhancement; shorthand for whatever enhances the power and best serves the supreme purposes of the nation, including prosperity, prestige, security, and, above all, survival.
A concept in political theory most often associated with Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Locke. It is an implicit agreement among individuals to form a civil society and to accept certain moral and political obligations essential to its preservation.
The process by which a community selects rulers and empowers them to make decisions, take action to attain common goals, and reconcile conflicts within the community.
nation Often interchangeable with state or country; in common usage, denotes a specific people with a distinct language and culture or a major ethnic group.
A geographically defined community administered by a government.