label

A label is a classifying phrase or name applied to a person or thing, says my dictionary. The word is probably of Germanic origin, from the word lappen, which means rag, cloth, flap, lobe and which, later, came to be used to mean a small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.

So, for example, in the sentence "The Blues musician John Galt sold 7 million singles last year", the word "Blues" is a label.

Here is a list of labels, which we freely use in our daily conversation, together with their meanings. It is evident that we use these labels a tad indiscriminately.

• axis of evil: the terrorist supporting nations of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea


• bourgeois: belonging to or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes


• capitalism: an economic system structured upon the accumulation of capital in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit, usually in competitive markets


• centrist: a person who takes a middle-of-the-road political stand, neither left nor right


• communalism: allegiance to one's own ethnic group rather than to the wider society


• communism: a sociopolitical movement that aims for a classless and stateless society structured upon common ownership of the means of production, free access to articles of consumption, and the end of wage labour and private property in the means of production and real estate


• civil society : 1. all of the civil infrastructure of a Western Liberal state, democracy, trial by jury, rule of law, etc. 2. voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state (regardless of that state's political system) and the commercial institutions of the market


• democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state , typically through elected representatives


• direct action: the use of strikes, demonstrations, or other public forms of protest rather than negotiation to achieve one's demands


• fascist: a person who believes in an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organisation


• feudalism: a social and economic system defined by inherited social ranks, each of which possessed inherent social and economic privileges and obligations


• figurehead: a very public, but powerless leader. Originates from the ancient Greek tradition of putting fearsome gods and sea creatures on the front of their warships


• flag waving: the expression of patriotism in a populist and emotional way


• identity politics: 1. political arguments that focus upon the self interest and perspectives of self-identified social interest groups 2. the ways in which people's politics may be shaped by aspects of their identity through race, class, religion, sexual orientation or traditional dominance


• lal salaam: 1. a salute, greeting or code word used by Communists 2. the tribute arranged by comrades after the death of a Naxal soldier


• left wing - 1. a radical or liberal political position 2. a politician or citizen who is more liberal than the average person


• liberal: favouring individual liberty, free trade, and moderate political and social reform


• Machiavellianism 1. the principles of government set forth in The Prince by Machiavelli, in which political expediency is ranked above morality and where the use of craft and deceit to maintain authority or to effectuate policy is recommended 2. activity characterised by subtle cunning, duplicity, or bad faith


• Maoism: the communist doctrines of Mao Zedong as formerly practised in China, having as a central idea permanent revolution


• nationalist: 1. a person who advocates political independence for a country 2. a person with strong patriotic feelings, especially one who believes in the superiority of their country over others


• Naxal: a militant communist supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideology
  reactionary: a person who opposes political or social progress or reform


• realpolitik: realism in politics, especially policies or actions based on considerations of power rather than ideals


• referendum: the State asking the voters if they agree to a specific proposed legislation


• republic: a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch


• right wing: a politician or citizen who is more conservative than the average person


• Sangh Parivar: organizations inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideology


• secular: not connected with religious or spiritual matters


• socialism: a theory or system of social organization advocating placing the ownership and control of capital, land, and means of production in the community as a whole


• terrorist: a person who uses violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims