The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (183 page)

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Term used to describe a diverse set of popular movements characterized by a departure from conventional methods of political organization and expression, and experimentation with new forms of social relations and cultural meanings and identities.
In advanced capitalist societies, the ‘movements’ have mobilized around feminist,
ecological
, peace, and anti-nuclear issues. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America their range has been wider. During the processes of resistance to military rule and democratization in the latter, they have included Catholic base communities, neighbourhood and squatter associations, women's and human rights groups, peasant co-operatives, and environmental activists. New social movements reflect the multiple contradictions within social systems (based upon racial, gender, and cultural dichotomies, as well as class). They aspire to a broadening of ‘the political’, popular empowerment, and the reappropriation of
civil society
, away from the control of the
state
.
However, their diversity creates both methodological and political problems. It is unclear whether there can be a universal definition of what constitutes a ‘new social movement’. Politically they encounter problems of sustainability and are vulnerable to co-optation and/or repression by the state. Nevertheless their existence challenges the notion of the ‘end of politics’, representing as they do new types and levels of egalitarian struggle.
GS 

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

(1844–1900)
German political writer who attacked Christianity and conventional ethical viewpoints. Altruism and egalitarianism, in Nietzsche's view, were debased forms of sentimentality derived from Christianity. In their place, he celebrated egotism, and the man who had transcended the slave morality of Christianity to achieve the status of
Übermensch
(higher man). Nietzsche's thought influenced
national socialism
.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

NIMBY stands for ‘Not in my back yard’, referring to people who oppose projects for development because of the effects on their own quality of life and/or property values. The nimby motivation is therefore often in alliance with
environmentalism
, but the two phenomena are quite different, as forms of nimbyism, by their nature, do not share consistent principles to justify their defence of interests.
LA 

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Committee of the back-bench members of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, which acts as a link between the back-bench and the party leadership.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Formally, the term refers to the fact that appointments to positions in the Soviet state apparatus, from factory manager to minister, were approved by party bodies from a list (nomenklatura) of suitable candidates. In general use, however, the nomenklatura consists of members of the party and state apparatus who were presumed to constitute the ruling élite.
SWh 

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search