Member-only story
The Most Misunderstood Political Concepts Everyone Should Know to Survive the Next Four Years
This is your cheatsheet for decoding power.
Please note: You can read this article without a paywall at Conversations with Carlyn
Ever nodded along in a political conversation, hoping no one asked you to define “neoliberalism”? Or pretended you knew the difference between autarky and protectionism like it wasn’t just a word salad with tariffs on top?
You’re not alone. Most of us weren’t taught this stuff — at least not in a way that didn’t involve dry textbooks, Latin roots, and a mild identity crisis. But here’s the truth: Political terms get thrown around like confetti on Twitter fights, but half the time, even the people using them are winging it (guilty).
This isn’t about sounding smart — it’s about knowing what the hell is going on. Because if someone’s calling for a “technocratic theocracy,” you should know whether that means you’re getting government by nerds or by nerdy priests. If a leader is “authoritarian,” are they just strict — or full fascist with fireworks?
That’s where comparisons come in. Autocracy vs. democracy? Plutocracy vs. oligarchy? Populism vs. sadopopulism? Definitions are flat. Comparisons offer nuance and understanding.
