Usurp, coup, seize, supplant, supercede, revolution, autocracy, tyranny, suppression, oppression, preponderance, predominance, aggression, infringement, transgression, are all part of glossary of political concepts I’m going to define here. I will elaborate all the above political terminology so that you will grasp knowledge of political science.
A. Difference between Usurp, coup and seize important glossary of political concepts and terms
“Usurp, coup, and seize” are similar english words often create confusion in mind over the correct usages.
Usurp is used to take position in something, coup is a sudden violent act to capture power, and seize denotes multiple meanings including taking possession of something by force.
Definition and examples of “Usurp”
If you “Usurp” something, you take position, title, or status of someone by force or not in legitimate means.
Temple can’t Usurp land, God is ‘omnipresent’ says Madras High Court– Times of India
In the recent ruling, Madras High Court on Jan 29, 2022, said that God is omnipresent, doesn’t need place to for divine presence.
In this case, even temple authority is accused of usurping private land.
Legally, the person usurping thing have no right to do, nor does he get consent of person who owned it.
In Faridabad, NCR Delhi, women booked for killing father-in-law to ”usurp” his property — Indian express.
Simply, he “Usurp” something from others to exercise ownership or claim.
Center usurping states power claimed opposition in India — the Hindu.
Center is blamed by opposition parties for encroaching the powers of state.
Meaning and examples of ‘Coup’
Coup is a sudden violent act to capture or control power. Here as well, aim to take control but of power with violent way.
In case of usurp, forcefully and illegally attempt is made to take position. But, in case of coup d’etat, violence is used.
UN chief António Guterres last year called the “epidemics of coup” – in countries ranging from Sudan to Myanmar – BBC news.
UN chief responded to BBC news when Burkina Faso fell victim of coup by Lt-Col Damiba.
Coup has political connotations compare to general use of usurp.
Seize meaning and examples
If someone is forcibly (legally or illegally) taking possession of something illegally, we call it he or she seizes.
It is more often used for arms, property, power, or anything.
Crime branch agency said that it has ample power to seize the mobile phone of Dileep Actor — The Indian express news.
Unlike “usurp and coup” seize may be legally on the directives of governing agency or by illegally with force.
Lt-Col Damiba has neither addressed the nation nor granted media interviews since seizing power — BBC news on Burkina Faso coup.
Elaborating usurp, coup, and seize political concepts and terms
Usurp means forcibly or illegally taking position of someone or something, coup denotes violent and sudden means to take control of political power, and seize has multiple meanings and different from both.
Usurp is general word, coup is used in politics, and seize ranges from official to war.
B. Simplifying Supplant supersede and replace glossary of political concepts and terms
Supplant supersede and replace english words are all synonyms, and mostly used interchangeably for one another. Actually, these have clear and noticeable differences in meaning and usages in daily interactions.
supplant denotes taking place of something either on the basis of merit or quality; supersede gains priority over older or weaker; and replace is taking place of something as routine or upgradation.
Meaning and examples of “Supplant”
If you “Supplant” someone or something, you take place of something or someone by setting aside earlier thing, person or position.
Could a democratic China supplant America’s role in the world? — The National Interest
In short, remove, set aside the relevancy of earlier with newer one that is not used earlier or completely new.
Churches supplant food deserts with neighbourhood gardens — The observer
Or, there is a thing in place as a supreme or paramount. You want to take place, position or role of earlier one to prove yours own supremacy. It may be based on merit, supremacy, or otherwise.
Definition and examples of “Supersede”
“Supersede is slightly different from “Supplant” english word. Place what you want to in place of earlier one as a powerful or more capable. Here, you want to displace earlier one that is not so good.
Will the national security policy supersede the constitution? — The Friday Times
Simply, you want to give priority to your choice by displacing older, obsolete, thing.
Here too, the newly placed thing would be newer or advanced one and comparatively better or advanced.
“Replace” meaning and examples
“Re + place” means reinstall the removed thing.
Compare to Supplant and supersede, replace is about to giving earlier position for previous thing that was temporarily replaced or otherwise.
Tata group to replace Vivo as IPL title sponsors from this year — The Times of India
Replaced thing is older one. But, it is not swaping or exchanging.
Understanding difference among Supplant, supersede and replace political concepts and terms
Supplant is all about to take place of a thing that is either weaker or lost relevancy. It may be person, position, role or anything in question.
Supersede implies that in order to place thing you want, you have to displace earlier incompetent one.
Here too, the thing you place there is not previous but newer one. And, “replace” means re installing the previous thing or other with equal or slightly more value.
C. Revolution and military coup confusing political concepts and terms
Both terms revolution and military coup are associated with the sudden and violent acts against the existing government or regimes. However, both have major differences ideologies, goals, and participation in act.
Meaning of military coup
Military coup or coup d’etat is a sudden or violent overthrow of the existing government and take control by force. It is not related to the grass root opposition by people but small group of armed soldiers or people.
The major goal of armed coup is limited to overthrow of government and seize the power. It has nothing to do with socio-economic policies regarding welfare of people.
Understandably, armed coup can’t last longer, and sooner or later, the in-charge has to work to transfer of power through democratic means or elections.
Precisely, such coups are the part and parcel of the tug of war between leaders of forces and leadership of people.
Understanding meaning of revolution
Though the primary goal of revolution is to seize of power from the existing government, they want so to improve theirs socio-economic problems in longer run. It may be sudden, violent, bloody or bloodless revolutions.
An ideological foundation, larger grass root opposition, vast cadre base, charismatic leadership, manifesto, etc. are necessary conditions to execute any revolution.
Unlike military coup, revolution is not subject to transfer power, but continue to be there as long as they get support of people.
Difference between revolution and military coup
Ideological foundation, strong and disciplined cadre, long term goals and programmes, large scale grass root opposition and support, well charismatic leadership are the major features of revolution.
On the other hand, no ideology, only opportunitism, no grass root opposition and support, participation of small armed group, temporary in nature without cadre are the salient features of military coup.
Military coup can’t escape from the international opposition and sanctions for illegal seizure of power. But, in case of revolution, after some time, sovereign members are ready to continue mutual cooperation.
Once coup is taken place, rampant killing, oppression of minority, emergence, abolition of rights make the life of citizens more worse.
On the other hand, revolution aims to improve the quality of life and security of people. These are some differences between revolution and military coup.
Autocracy and tyranny political concepts and terms
Autocracy /n/ (auto + cracy) it mean rule by a single person or decision making power belong to single person in power. Here, system in focus, while tyranny means the nature of government people experience, especially brutal or oppressive. Let’s know in detail the relationship between autocracy and tyranny with easy understanding of both terms.
Tyranny is an extreme outcome of autocratic rule for people under rule. Autocracy is a system, while tyranny is a product of such system in general.
Easy understanding of “Autocracy”
World’s democracies must act to quell autocracy — Human rights watch.
A governing system or regime by single person without responsibility to people in rule. In contrast to democracy, in which power belong to people in rule with supremacy of constitution.
In layman’s words, absolute powe, no responsibility, lack of rights, concentration of power, single decision making authority, no consultation are the major features of autocracy or autocratic rule.
Nowadays, autocratic rules and rulers are on the defensive as the popular protests are mounting there where they are in operation. But, it is too important to understand that the democracy’s fate depends on the leaders delievering results.
Examples of autocracy
Autocratic leaders faced significant backlash in 2021, but democracies will flourish only if their leaders do a better job of addressing global problems — Human rights watch
In country after country — Myanmar, Sudan, Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua, Poland, Uganda, even Kazakhstan before protest seemed to have been hijacked by a governmental power struggle — large numbers of people have resently taken to the streets, even at the risk of being arrested or shot — human rights watch.
Describing the meaning of ” Tyranny”
When we give the power to make laws and the power power to enforce laws to the same person, that is tyranny…
If a system in operation fails to protect its citizens and become oppressive for people under rule is termed as ” tyranny or tyrannical rule”. But, this term is not only used to refer political system but even in our day-to-day results.
Examples of tyranny
While there is tyranny in our neighborhood, we will not be able to deal with the challenges of immigration — Times live.
Mike Lee said the country is living under tyranny at the moment and claimed president Joe Biden is acting like a king, citing his recently struck-down vaccine mandate for private employees.
Suppose, if you think that something is really exceeding its limit or really painful, you may label it as tyrannical for you.
Obviously, it may be group, individual, organisation, situation or any entity to be labelled as tyrannical if they treat people in question unfairly.
Relationship between autocracy and tyranny political concepts and terms
Autocracy is a form of government ruled by single person or authority where fundamental rights and responsibilities are negligible. Whereas, tyranny is a state or condition of oppression by state, group, or organisation for the people ruled. In short, tyranny is an extreme outcome of autocratic rule for people under rule.
So, it is convenient to understand both terms in relationship as they are closely interlinked and Interdependent.
D. Suppression vs oppression confusing political concepts and terms
Suppression, oppression, and repression are similar words, and most often, we use them interchangeably. Precisely, they are not same in meaning. But, have substantial differences that I’m going to explain here through suppression vs oppression.
Understanding Meaning and examples of suppression
The ambit of meaning of “suppression” word is too diverse. It is used in politics, psychology, biology etc.
Generally, we use it to describe something that is controlled or restricted by using force, medicine, or determination. It may be political agitation, movements, rebellion, or demonstrations.
Governments invoking NSA, UAPA to suppress dissent: Kateel Khan (The Hindu)
Israeli forces violently suppress Palestinian protest in Naqab. (Al Jazeera)
Secondly, “suppression” is used to keep in checks your own negative emotions from being too problematic you and others. It may be anger, reactions, sexual feelings, jealous tendency, etc.
Anger suppression and management is highly essential at the early stage in students.
In addition, it is also preferred to express information that is kept secret from others. It may be news, results, discoveries, invention etc.
She had suppressed the fact that there was a matrimonial dispute. (The Hindu)
West Bengal registered steep decline in the covid cases, but opposition claimed number suppression. (The Indian express)
Finally, in medical treatment, suppression is used when we by the means of medicine, drugs try to control the specific functioning of body part, especially wanted one.
Explaining the meaning of oppression
In case of “suppression” we use force, medicine, determination to control something unwanted whether it is just or unjust. But, “oppression” means more harmful than suppression. It involves more brutal force, power or even cruelty. And, it includes longer duration as well.
The exemption in section 375 of the Indian penal code, which exempt forecful sexual intercourse by a man with his wife from the offence of rape, must be viewed as an “instrument of oppression”. ( Hindustan Times)
Simply, oppression means unfair intentional treatment to enemies or even your own citizens in order to maintain your tyranny or dictatorship. Most of the time, minority across the world are the victims of oppressions.
The sever oppression, including of freedom of expression inflict on Tibetan and others under its rule demands equal attention. (Business standard)
Differentiation between suppression vs oppression glossary of political concepts and terms
In short, suppression is more general word with multiple meanings and usages compare to oppression. The purpose of suppressing something is to keep under checks from being out of control or threatening.
But, “oppression” denotes more inhuman treatment, brutal behaviour, or unjust rule by people in authority directed to either helpless citizens or vulnerable minorities.
Repression, on the other hand, has different denotation and connotation. It is about to put pressure by force on the society, group or organisation, in order to infuse sense of fear and deter them from doing anything unfavourable.
The Thai government further repressed basic rights and cracked on the youth led democracy movement. ( Human rights watch).
This is enough to bring more clarity of suppression vs oppression and how the “repression” word is different from both terms.
E. Aggression Vs violence important political concepts and terms
Aggression /n/ ( aggress + ion) it is a state or behaviour fuelled by the intent or anger to harm someone. In short, aggression is a violent feeling with provocation or without, and motivates person in action to do harmful. First of all, let’s differentiate between aggression vs violence.
Understanding “Aggression”
Here, three things are essential to understand properly. First, aggressive person can’t be so without causal factors. There may be host of reasons or even single cause may be responsible to make person angry.
Nevertheless, a person who is angry can’t be so violent instantly except in rare cases. Yes, it is true that anger could be a driving or motivating force to generate destructive or violent behaviour.
Meaning of aggression
Simply, “Aggression” is a primary level of feeling of anger or behaviour from where person can think to be more violent or to gear up to attack person in target or it may be group.
Aggression vs violence difference
Violence is nothing but the extreme behaviour of aggression in which person is hardly in state to cool down. He or she wants to harm, injure given person even permanently.
In another definition, violence is also indicate an action, activity that is so devastating due to so much force and energy like volcanic violent eruption.
Comparatively, violence is the extreme state of aggression. In the state of aggression, there is no instant intent to harm but it is the beginning to be motivated that level. On the other hand, in violent behaviour, chances of harm or injury are maximum due to uncontrollable anger.
Examples of aggression and violence
- Aggression of Chinese army against their opponents is a part and parcel of war strategy.
- Aggressive behaviour among teenagers is certainly cause of concern, and we need to focus on anger management.
- Why are you becoming so violent instantly without any reason?
- Movies with aggression and violence are mostly preferred by youth.
Most of the time, both terms aggression and violence are used interchangeably by students. But, in proper sense, both have specific domain of meaning.
F. Finally, Preponderance vs predominance difficult glossary of political concepts and terms
Preponderance /n/ it shows the nature or state of something in a greater presence or availability among group, region, etc. While, predominance indicates superior status or existence of something comparatively. For more simplicity, let’s differentiate preponderance vs predominance.
Understanding the meaning of preponderance
- Preponderance of cheap raw material is a comparative advantage.{ Abundant quantity of raw material}
- The present economic data shows about the preponderance of women tax payers.( Large number of women taxpayers)
- Preponderance of iron ore reserves is a sigh of relief amidst growing demand.
In all the above examples indicate the greater number, quantity or amount of something and there is no dearth of something.
Predominance meaning and examples
Predominance /n/ it sounds different comparatively. It smells like command, superiority, dominance etc. in particular areas, regions, or group. It also sounds invincible.
- Hardwood trees are predominant in the equatorial evergreen forest.
- Predominance of hardwood trees is the major feature of equatorial evergreen forest. ( Most common, noticeable)
- Ethnic conflict is the most predominant thing we observe in the African continent.
- Islam is a predominant religion in the Arab world.
Pre + Dom/domain + ance
Dom/domain = rule, master
Predominance means a thing that is superior or powerful compare to others in a region or group, field.
Preponderance vs predominance political concepts and terms
Preponderance is adout the quantity or number of something in a group or region comparatively. Whereas, predominance is a commanding force in the form of quantity, numbers, etc.
Important word forms
Predominate /v/
Predominant /adj/
Predominantly /adv/
Antonyms of preponderance and predominance
- Insignificance
- Inferior
- Subjection
- Minority
These are some important glossary of political concepts and terms.
Understanding Hard and soft power
“But and Yet” Contrasting conjunctions
Indian politics after independence