Cabal
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Gwernol
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/124.217.42.217|124.217.42.217]] ([[User talk:124.217.42.217|talk]]) to last version by RobSchop
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A '''cabal''' is a number of people united in some close design, usually to promote their private views and interests in a [[church]], [[state]], or other community, often by [[Wiktionary:intrigue|intrigue]]. Cabals are sometimes [[secret societies]] composed of a few designing persons, and at other times are manifestations of [[emergence|emergent behavior]] in [[society]] or [[governance]] on the part of a community of persons who have well established public affiliation or kinship. The term can also be used to refer to the designs of such persons or to the practical consequences of their emergent behavior, and also holds a general meaning of intrigue and [[conspiracy]]. Its usage carries strong connotations of shadowy corners, back rooms and insidious influence; a cabal is more evil and selective than, say, a faction, which is simply selfish. Because of this negative connotation, few organizations use the term to refer to themselves or their internal subdivisions. Among the exceptions is [[Discordianism]], in which the term is used to refer to an identifiable group within the Discordian tradition.
== Origins of the word ==
The term ''cabal'' derives from [[Kabbalah]] (a word that has numerous spelling variations), the mystical interpretation of the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] scripture, and originally meant either an [[occult]] doctrine or a [[secret]]. It was introduced into English in the publication of ''Cabala'', a curious medley of letters and papers of the reigns of James and Charles I that appeared in 1654.<ref>''Cabala, sive Scrinia Sacra. Mysteries of State and Government in Letters of illustrious Persons and great Agents; in the Reigns of Henry the Eighth, Queen Elizabeth, King James and the late King Charls. In two Parts, in which the Secrets of Empire, and Publique manage of Affairs are contained.'' [http://www.bartleby.com/217/0804.html ''Cambridge History of English and American Literature'' (1907–21), vol VII, ch. viii.4 ''The Compleat Ambassador'']. </ref>
== Association with Charles II ==
{{main|Cabal Ministry}}
The term took on its present meaning from a group of ministers of King [[Charles II of England]] ([[Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh|Sir Thomas Clifford]], [[Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington|Lord Arlington]], the [[George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham|Duke of Buckingham]], [[Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury|Lord Ashley]], and [[John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale|Lord Lauderdale]]), whose initial letters coincidentally spelled CABAL, and who were the signers of the public [[Treaty of Dover]] that allied England to France in a prospective war against the Dutch.<ref> Durant, Will and Ariel. ''The Age of Louis XIV.'' (page 277) New York: Simon And Schuster, 1963.</ref> It must be said, however, that the so-called [[Cabal Ministry]] can hardly be seen as such — the Scot Lauderdale was not much involved in [[English governance]] at all; while the Catholic ministers of the Cabal, Clifford and Arlington, were never much in sympathy with the Protestants, Buckingham and Ashley, nor did Buckingham and Ashley get on very well with each other. Thus, the "[[Cabal Ministry]]," never very unified in its members' aims and sympathies, fell apart by [[1672]]; Lord Ashley, who became Earl of Shaftesbury, later became one of Charles II's fiercest opponents. The explanation that the word originated as an [[acronym]] from the names of the group of ministers is a [[folk etymology]], although the coincidence was noted at the time and could possibly have popularized its use. The group, who came to prominence after the fall of Charles's first prime minister, [[Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon|Lord Clarendon]], in [[1667]], was rather called the Cabal because of its secretiveness and lack of responsibility to the "Country party" then out of power.
== Use in relation to Computers and Usenet ==
During the rise of [[Usenet]], the term was used as a semi-ironic description of the efforts of people to maintain some order over the chaotic, anarchic Usenet community; see [[backbone cabal]]. As in this specific case, references to an alleged cabal often fall within the realm of [[conspiracy theory]]
[[Image:valve cabal.JPG|right|thumb|250px|A Cabal room in use at Valve Software.]][[Valve Software]], the creators of games such as [[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]], use "Cabal Rooms" when working on projects such as new games or [[bug fix]]es. These rooms usually comprise 10-15 people, many computers and design technologies, and at least one whiteboard. (See adjacent image).
== Current usage ==
Two recent examples of the use of the word Cabal came in an accusation by former [[Secretary of State]] [[Colin Powell|Colin Powell's]] chief of staff, [[Lawrence Wilkerson]], who claimed that the [[George W. Bush administration|Bush administration's]] foreign policy is run by a "Cheney-Rumsfeld cabal" implying a sinister intent.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/21/politics/21wilkerson.html?incamp=article_popular Former Powell Aide Says Bush Policy Is Run by 'Cabal'] [[October 21]], [[2005]], By Brian Knowlton (''[[NYT]]''); Foreign Desk</ref> And the second by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rallied the world community to support UN sanctions against Zimbabwe, denouncing the regime's leaders as a "criminal cabal". <ref>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_2354782,00.html]</ref>
Currently on the [[Comedy Central]] program ''[[The Daily Show]]'', the phrase "a global cabal of [[Jews]]" is referenced from time to time, as a spoof on [[Anti-Semitism#Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories|antisemitic conspiracy theories]]. The existence or otherwise of cabals has led to the [[List of Internet phenomena|Internet phenomenon]] originating on [[Usenet]], "TINC" (standing for ''[[There Is No Cabal]]''). In the [[Computer Game]] [[Blood (computer game)|Blood]] the dark cult of Tchernabog is called the Cabal , and is the protagonist [[Caleb]]'s main enemy. In the [[Computer Game]] [[Tiberian Sun(computer game)|Tiberian Sun]], the antagonist's (Nod's) Artificial Intelligence computer is named "CABAL", an acronym standing for Computer Assisted Biologically Augmented Lifeform .
Many [[Masonic conspiracy theories]] have pictured [[Freemasonry]] as an international secret cabal; the propaganda of this vision was satirised in the [[Stonecutters|Sacred Order of the Stonecutters]] episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'':
{{cquote|
Who leaves Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do! We do!}}
==See also==
{{wiktionary}}
* [[Assassination]]
* [[Conspiracy (political)]]
* [[Emergence]]
* [[Espionage]]
* [[Controversies about Opus Dei]]
Other negative words that arose from descriptions of religious extremism or religious sects include:
* [[Zealot]]
* [[Thug]]
* [[Hashshashin]]
* [[World on Fire]]/[[Market-dominant minorities]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.geocities.com/johnfkosanke/occult.htm The Occult Technology of Power] (webbed)
* [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/19991210/birdwell_01.htm Ken Birdwell, ''The Cabal: Valve’s Design Process For Creating Half-Life,'' (Game Developer Magazine, Dec 1999)].
[[Category:Secret societies]]
[[de:Kabale (Begriff)]]
[[eo:Intrigo]]
[[fr:Cabale]]
[[lt:Intriga]]
[[pt:Camarilha]]
[[ru:Интрига]]
[[simple:Cabal]]