Capital is the following:
- A capital city (in many states the political, religious, and economic capital are the same):
- In geography and politics, a capital (also called capital city or political capital) of a country or other political entity is a city or town that contains the government. [N.B.: the phrase "political capital" has an alternative meaning, given below.]
- In societies with official religions a capital is a religious capital.
- In finance and economics, capital is real or financial wealth.
- [N.B.: "Political capital", by analogy, is a phrase used for the still-unclaimed favors a politician or lobbyist other political entity is owed in return for favors he or she or it has in the past done. For example, a factory seeking permits to expand might "call in" the political capital it has built up by years of donating to school-construction projects. Also "cultural capital" in the sense of cultural value.]
Also, the term "capital" is often confused with the term capitol, which is the term used for certain buildings used to house the legislative body of a certain sovereignty.
Last updated: 05-12-2005 23:44:06