catechism
an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
Machiavellianism
the political doctrine of Machiavelli: any means (however unscrupulous) can be used by a ruler in order to create and maintain his autocratic government
constituency
the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
catechize
give religious instructions to
ethos
(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
populism
the political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite
haberdashery
a store where men's clothes are sold
perfectible
capable of becoming or being made perfect
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
Jacksonian
of or pertaining to Andrew Jackson or his presidency or his concepts of popular democracy
Faustian
pertaining to or resembling or befitting Faust or Faustus especially in insatiably striving for worldly knowledge and power even at the price of spiritual values
exhaustive
performed comprehensively and completely
striver
someone who works as hard as a slave
austerity
the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
caucus
meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
filibuster
(law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches
gauge
a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
premise
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
gaffe
a socially awkward or tactless act
rumination
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
