We've had despotism, communism, nationalism, fascism, socialism, democracy, monarchies and many more political systems, but the new world order of politics can be distilled into one new term: Rationalism. In the developed world, governments can no longer take power by force or impose their will on their people without question. Rationalism is the equation politicians use to sell their argument to whoever it is they need to convince. The public, the senate, the house of representatives, whoever it may be. Anybody can be convinced of anything if the seller uses the right mix of logic, emotion and the correct rationale, the mix that speaks to both their heart and mind. Truth and lie are arbitrary words, just concepts used to colour the argument being sold. While I believe Rationalism is the primary political force is use today, it has been used in politics and everyday life since the dawn of time and is generally known as: The Argument.
The Holocaust is a fine example of Rationalism. Granted, not everybody in Nazi Germany knew about it while it was happening, but there were many soldiers, scientists, intellectuals and people in positions of power who were sold on the idea by Hitler and the upper echelons of the Nazi Party. They did this by selling them the idea in a way that appealed to their notions of national pride and racial beliefs (emotion) and combining this with logical and rational explanations for why the Jews should be eradicated from their concept of the new world. It worked.
Am I being overly cynical? Maybe. Maybe I'm seeing the world clearly. More to come on Rationalism.

*Edit - These are the ramblings of an unfinished theory. Just needed somewhere to put the thoughts down to finish later.