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A theoretical framework proposing that concepts are not fixed, rigid containers but possess elasticity—they can stretch, contract, and adapt to new contexts while retaining core identity. A concept like “democracy” can stretch to include parliamentary systems, direct voting, or even authoritarian regimes that claim popular mandate; “freedom” can stretch from absence of coercion to positive capabilities. This elasticity allows concepts to survive across historical and cultural shifts but also makes them vulnerable to manipulation—actors can stretch a concept until it loses meaning or contract it to exclude inconvenient applications. The theory explains how political, legal, and social concepts remain functional despite constant reinterpretation.
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