Politics

Shadow Cabinet: definition, role, history and variations Shadow cabinet A shadow cabinet is an opposition party's senior team that mirrors government ministers to scrutinize policy, offer alternatives, and present itself as a government-in-waiting in p…

Shas — Israeli Sephardic Haredi political party Shas Shas is an Israeli political party founded in 1984 representing Sephardic and Mizrahi ultra-Orthodox communities. Led by Aryeh Deri, it mixes religious conservatism with social wel…

Sic semper tyrannis: origin, meaning, and historical uses Sic semper tyrannis Latin phrase meaning 'thus always to tyrants', traditionally linked to Brutus and later associated with John Wilkes Booth; motto of Virginia and a recurrent political slogan with c…

Sicarii: Judean dagger-assassins during the First Jewish–Roman War Sicarii Sicarii were a radical splinter of the Zealots in 1st‑century Judea known for concealed daggers and political assassinations during the revolt against Rome; primary accounts come f…

Single non-transferable vote (SNTV) Single non-transferable vote An electoral system for multi-member districts in which each voter casts one vote for one candidate. SNTV influences party strategy, intra-party competition, and proportionality ba…

Single Transferable Vote (STV): a proportional ranked-choice system Single transferable vote Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a ranked, proportional multi-winner electoral method. Voters rank candidates; votes are counted to quotas and transferred by surplus or eliminatio…

Slave Power (Slaveocracy): 19th‑century American political influence of Southern slaveholders Slave Power Political and social influence exerted by Southern slaveholders in the antebellum United States, framed by abolitionists as the 'Slave Power' or 'Slaveocracy' and central to debate…

Social Christian Party of Ecuador — Centre-Right Christian-Democratic Party Social Christian Party (Ecuador) Profile of Ecuador's Social Christian Party (PSC): a centre-right Christian-democratic party founded in 1951 — its history, ideology, regional base, electoral role and influence in…

Social conservative An overview of social conservatism: beliefs, typical positions, historical development, regional patterns, distinctions from other conservative currents, and notable examples.

Social contract: concept, history, and political significance Social contract Theory that individuals consent, explicitly or implicitly, to create rules and institutions for collective life; key thinkers, forms, uses, and criticisms of social-contract ideas.

Social democracy: principles, history, and contemporary practice Social democracy Social democracy is a political ideology that combines a market economy with broad social protections, democratic governance, and redistributive policies to promote equality and so…

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) — Northern Irish centre-left party Social Democratic and Labour Party The SDLP is a centre-left political party in Northern Ireland advocating social democracy, non-violence, power‑sharing and a united Ireland by consent. It played a key role in the…

Social Democratic Party Political parties named 'Social Democratic Party' typically represent center-left social-democratic currents; the name is used by many distinct parties worldwide with varied histor…

Social Democratic Party (Romania) Major centre-left political party in Romania, founded in 2001 with roots in the post‑communist period. Social-democratic orientation, significant role in national politics, coaliti…

Social Democratic Party (UK) A centrist UK political party formed in 1981 by Labour moderates; it led the SDP–Liberal Alliance and merged with the Liberals in 1988 to help create the Liberal Democrats.

Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) Social Democratic Party of Austria Major centre-left political party in Austria advocating social democracy, welfare-state policies, trade-union cooperation and progressive public services since the late 19th centur…

Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD): History and Political Role Social Democratic Party of Germany Explore the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD): founded 1863, its evolution from the labour movement, core social-democratic policies, organisational structure, electoral his…

Social Democratic Party of Switzerland Major Swiss centre-left party founded in 1888. Advocates social democracy, welfare states, labour rights and EU engagement; historically holds two Federal Council seats and influen…

Social Democrats (Slovenia) Slovenia's Social Democrats (SD) are a centre-left political party formed as the United List of Social Democrats in 1993 and renamed in 2005, associated with social-democratic poli…

Social Liberal Party (Brazil) — history, ideology, and political role Social Liberal Party (Brazil) A concise encyclopedic overview of Brazil's Social Liberal Party (PSL): origins, ideological shift after 2018, organization, electoral impact, notable figures and controversies.

Social liberalism: principles, history, policies, and contemporary relevance Social liberalism Social liberalism is a strand of liberal thought that supports individual rights alongside state action to ensure fair opportunity, welfare provision, and regulated markets.

Social Security — Public systems for income, health and social protection Social Security Public programs that protect people from economic risks—old age, disability, unemployment and illness—through pensions, benefits, health coverage and social services. Systems vary…

Social Welfare (Hong Kong functional constituency) Social Welfare (constituency) A Legislative Council functional constituency representing registered social workers in Hong Kong, created in 1985 to give the social work profession a dedicated seat in lawmaking.

Socialism: systems, forms, history and distinguishing features Socialism Overview of socialism as an economic and political approach: principles, varieties (worker ownership, state ownership, social democracy), historical development, uses, and how it d…

Socialist Left Party (Norway) Socialist Left Party Norwegian left-wing party founded in 1975. Advocates democratic socialism, environmentalism and social justice; has participated in Red–Green cooperation and is one of Norway’s lar…

Socialist Party Political parties named 'Socialist Party' appear worldwide and encompass a spectrum of left-wing ideas, from democratic socialism and social democracy to more radical forms advocat…

Socialist Party (England and Wales) A Trotskyist political organisation in England and Wales that developed from the Militant tradition; active in trade unions, publications, local elections and campaigns for a broad…

Socialist Party (France): history, ideology and political role Socialist Party (France) Comprehensive overview of France's Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste, PS): its origins, organization, political positions, major leaders, electoral record and recent developments.

Socialist Party (Netherlands) Dutch left-wing political party founded in 1972, known for grassroots activism, social-democratic policies, and a presence in national and municipal politics. Led by Lilian Marijni…

Socialist Party of America American political party (1901–1972) advocating democratic socialism, labor rights and public ownership; influential in early 20th-century politics and labor movements.

Socialist Party of Great Britain British socialist party founded in 1904 advocating democratic, anti-Leninist socialism; noted for opposing both world wars and the Soviet state and for publishing The Socialist Sta…

Socialist Reich Party (SRP) — West German Neo‑Nazi Party, 1949–1952 Socialist Reich Party The Socialist Reich Party (SRP) was a short‑lived neo‑Nazi party in West Germany (1949–1952), led by Otto Ernst Remer and Fritz Dorls, banned as unconstitutional for pursuing a rev…

Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED): history, structure, and legacy Socialist Unity Party of Germany Overview of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED): formation in 1946, role as the ruling party of East Germany (1949–1990), organization, policies, decline and successor parti…

Socialist Workers Party (United States) A Trotskyist political party in the United States with roots in early 20th‑century Communist factionalism, active in labor organizing and known for The Militant newspaper and Pathf…

South African Communist Party: history, role, and organisation South African Communist Party Overview of the South African Communist Party (SACP): origins in 1921, role in the anti‑apartheid struggle, alliance with the ANC and COSATU, ideological aims, organisation and con…

South Shields (UK Parliament constituency) Parliamentary constituency covering the town of South Shields in South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear. It returns one MP by first-past-the-post and has been a Labour stronghold; current M…

Southampton Itchen (UK Parliament constituency) A borough constituency in Southampton, represented since 2015 by Royston Smith (Conservative). Covers urban and riverside areas around the River Itchen with a mixed residential and…

Speaker (politics) A speaker is the presiding officer of a legislative chamber, responsible for running proceedings, enforcing rules, and representing the assembly. Roles and powers vary across parli…

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Presiding officer of Turkey's national legislature (TBMM); elected by deputies to manage debates, enforce rules, represent the assembly and carry certain constitutional duties duri…

Speaker of the House of Commons The Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of a lower parliamentary chamber in Westminster-style systems, charged with impartial chairing, discipline, and represe…

Stalinism: ideology, policies, and historical legacy Stalinism Stalinism denotes the political system and policies associated with Joseph Stalin: centralized party rule, command economic planning, rapid industrialization, collectivization, per…

State of Palestine A political entity that claims the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem; recognized by many UN members and holding non-member observer status at the United Nations.

Statesman: definition, qualities, history and distinctions Statesman A statesman is a respected political leader known for long-term vision, integrity, and public service. This article explains the concept, key traits, historical development, exampl…

Steve Bullock's 2020 presidential campaign Steve Bullock 2020 presidential campaign Overview of Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s 2019–2020 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, covering origins, themes, timeline, and the campaign’s broader significance.

Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump hush‑money scandal Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump scandal Political and legal controversy over a pre‑2016 election nondisclosure agreement and payment to adult performer Stormy Daniels, involving Michael Cohen and resulting in criminal ch…

Subversion: methods, history, and legal distinctions Subversion An overview of subversion: its aims, common methods, historical context, legal distinctions from crimes like treason and espionage, examples, and responses by states and societies.

Suffrage: the right to vote and to stand for public office Suffrage Suffrage (the franchise) is the legal right to vote and often to run for office. This article explains types of suffrage, historical expansion, contemporary issues, and key legal d…

Suffragette: militant campaigners for women's right to vote Suffragette Suffragettes were early 20th‑century activists, especially in Britain, who used direct action to demand women's suffrage; their tactics, leaders, and legacy shaped later rights mov…