The Meaning of Words

No human endeavour quite tests the meaning of words like politics. Take for instance, stable; a word which has seen the light of day rather too often for my liking over the last few days. The OED defines stable as something firmly fixed or established; not likely to move.

Look up strong and you’ll find listed, among others, able to resist, healthy, capable of exerting great force, powerful.

Under loser, however – as in those relegated to second or third place – phrases such as beaten in competition, replaced by and deprived appear.

That all seems rather incongruous to me.

Democracy also has an interesting meaning – a government by the whole population, usually through elected representatives.

The last time I checked we lived in a democracy – a far from perfect one, certainly - but still, a democracy where the party that secures the largest number of elected representative wins, and forms the government of the day.

Anything that stands in the way of that – be it ceremonial self sacrifice or the protestations of a Barking folk singer – stands in the way of the will of the people, something the detractors would so desperately claim ownership of.

So until we have the much-lauded new politics we’re supposed to be getting, those who lost should let those who won find a way to govern. Anything less would be corrupt, as in morally depraved and open to or involving bribery or other dishonest practices.

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3 Responses to “The Meaning of Words”

  1. Jon Moss 11. May, 2010 at 7:08 am #

    I give up with the British politics :(

    A democracy is one where the people vote for a choice and in this case for a change.

    Now it looks like the politicians are choosing, and once again we may have a primeminister who has not been chosen by the people. Disgusting.

  2. nickglaves 11. May, 2010 at 7:22 am #

    Hi Jon, thanks for the comment.

    I’ve always given politics the benefit of the doubt because of the complexities involved with governing a large amount of people with widely differing views. However, even I am starting to lose faith with the system now. This election, while fascinating to watch from a detached viewpoint, does nothing for democracy and nothing for the image of the UK abroad.

  3. lemonade lyrics gucci 11. May, 2010 at 8:51 pm #

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