| autocracy |
a political unit ruled by an autocrat. [1/2 definitions] |
| backlash |
a strong reaction against some prior development, esp. political or social change. [1/3 definitions] |
| Balkanize |
(often l.c.) to divide up into mutually antagonistic political units too small to maintain their independence or autonomy effectively. |
| bamboo curtain |
(sometimes cap.) a barrier to trade and diplomacy, based on ideological and political differences, that formerly existed between the People's Republic of China and the West, attributed by the latter to the secrecy and censorship practiced by the Chinese. (Cf. iron curtain.) |
| barnstorm |
to travel through rural areas giving performances, political speeches, exhibition contests, or the like. [1/3 definitions] |
| big lie |
the use of such a tactic in political propaganda (usu. prec. by "the"). [1/2 definitions] |
| big stick |
political or military power, displayed or implied to intimidate or gain cooperation from potential adversaries, esp. as a foreign policy. |
| bipartisan |
composed of, representing, or supported by two parties or factions, esp. two political parties. |
| Black Lives Matter |
an early twenty-first century social and political movement that seeks to raise awareness of and put an end to unjust treatment of Black people, esp. that which occurs in the form of police brutality. |
| black power |
(sometimes caps.) the political and economic power of American blacks mobilized to force the granting of equal rights. |
| bloc |
an alliance of people, nations, or organizations working together to achieve some legislative or political goal. |
| Bolshevik |
a political extremist of socialist or anarchist tendency (used pejoratively). [1/3 definitions] |
| bolt1 |
to break away from a political party. [1/14 definitions] |
| boondoggle |
a valueless project funded by the government solely as a political favor. [1/3 definitions] |
| border |
the dividing line between two countries or political regions. [1/6 definitions] |
| bossism |
domination or control by bosses, as of a political party or unit or a governmental entity. |
| Bourbon |
a political conservative or reactionary. [1/2 definitions] |
| Bund |
(often l.c.) an association or alliance, esp. a political one. [1/2 definitions] |
| cabal |
a small group of people engaged in a secret plot, usu. of a political nature. [1/3 definitions] |
| cabinet |
of or relating to a political cabinet. [1/6 definitions] |
| cacique |
in Spain and Latin America, a local political boss. [1/3 definitions] |