recent history has seen profound change in the worlds political landscape. with these changes, many formerly secure understandings of political terms have become lost, and the meanings of the words we use to describe our politics have become muddied. frequently confusing, and often intentionally misleading, this language can be easily distorted in order to spin disputed ideas or justify questionable actions. at the same time, fresh insights about modern politics have been developed that remain little known or discussed outside academic circles. this account of political keywords addresses these circumstances with a view to rectifying them for the benefit of students, political activists, and a public desperately in need of clarity. the entries in political keywords work together to create a timely dictionary of contemporary political vernacular from ` alienation ` to ` zionism. ` extensive cross-referencing, suggested further readings, and a comprehensive glossary make political keywords the ideal guide to navigating a landscape of dangerously vague terms.