An idea or physical thing that is used by politicians as a tool for focusing the attention and emotions of people. It can be something as simple as the phrase "a chicken in every pot and a car in very garage" which was used by herbert hoover in his 1928 u. S. Presidential election. It can be a call for change such as the replacement of a king with a legislature or conversion of "non-believers" to the "true-religion. " national flags are often powerful political symbols.