Key Developments Since the Cold War

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to historical developments and theories following the Cold War.

Long Nineteenth Century

Historians refer to the period from 1789 (the French Revolution) to 1914 (the outbreak of World War I) as the Long Nineteenth Century.

Short Twentieth Century

Refers to the period from 1914 (the beginning of World War I) until 1989 (the end of the Cold War).

Hyperpower

A term used in the 1990s to describe the United States as the sole superpower after the Cold War.

Multipolar

A global power structure where multiple countries have influence or power, as opposed to a bipolar structure with two superpowers.

Francis Fukuyama

Political scientist who claimed that the end of the Cold War marked the 'end of history,' indicating the triumph of liberal democracy.

Clash of Civilizations

A theory by Samuel Huntington that suggests future conflicts will be based on cultural and civilizational differences rather than ideological lines.

Thomas Friedman

A journalist and author who promoted globalization as a means to spread prosperity, but acknowledged the environmental and social challenges it brings in his works.

Illiberal Democracy

A political system that holds elections but lacks fundamental liberal protections, such as the rule of law or freedom of the press.

Anthropocene

A proposed geological epoch that highlights the significant impact of human activities on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems, often discussed from around the year 2000.

Soft Authoritarianism

A form of governance that combines elements of authoritarianism with some democratic features, but undermines essential democratic institutions.

Democracy Index

A measure used to evaluate the quality of democracy in different countries based on various indicators.