PoliticsSeptember 4, 2026

distemper

dis-TEM-per

Definition

A state of political or social disorder, unrest, or turbulent agitation within a society.

Etymology

Originating from Middle French 'destemprer' and Latin 'distemperare', the word originally referred to a physical imbalance of bodily humors, eventually evolving to describe a mental or societal state of disorder or malady.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the chaotic and contentious nature of modern society, which the author argues can be better understood through the cynical political philosophy of Machiavelli.

Unmaking Machiavelli’s Modernity

Read the full article ↗

First Things

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