Vocab

• Polity


  an organized society, such as a nation, state, church, or other organization, having a specific form of government
• Legitimacy


  The ability to defend with logic or actions, validating oneself.
• Hierarchal


  arranged by rank or authority
• Hegemony


  leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.
• Nominal


  (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
• Arbitrary


  based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
• Meritocracy


  government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability.
• Sycophant


  a flatterer; one who fawns on others in order to gain favor
• Deference


  to respect
• Egalitarian


  believing in the social and economic equality of all people
• Bureaucracy


  A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials
• Mandate


  (n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order
• Siege


  military blockade or bombardment of an enemy town or position in order to force it to surrender
• Sack


  To strip of valuables, loot
• Plunder


  To take goods by force (as in war)
• Pillage


  (v.) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty
• Coercion


  the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats
• Succession


  In order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a propert, dignity, position, title or throne
• Heir


  a person who inherits another's belongings
• Usurp


  to seize and hold a position by force or without right
• Depose


  To remove from office or power
• Infrastructure


  the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
• Demagogue


  (n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
• Faction


  A group with a distinct political interest
• Conscription


  A military draft
• Edict


  an order issued by someone in authority
• Envoy


  (n.) a representative or messenger (as of a government)
• Mercenary


  a professional soldier hired by a foreign army
• Fealty


  obligated loyalty or faithfulness
• Autocrat


  A ruler who has absolute power
• Figurehead


  A person who appears to rule even though real power rests with someone else
• Subjugate


  to conquer by force, bring under complete control
• Tribute


  Money paid by one country to another in return for protection
• Patronage


  Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
• Commission


  An amount paid to an employee based on a percentage of the employee's sales
• Feudalism


  A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land
• Barter


  Exchange goods without involving money.
• Spoils


  rewards gained through military victory
• Polygamy


  having more than one spouse at a time
• Concubine


  mistress