modern history terminology

totalitarianism

a system of running a country in which a single dictator or a single party has total control over the lives of all its citizens, with no opposition allowed.

dictatorship

a system in which one person has complete authority, and consults no one.

socialism

term generally used to describe the system in which the major industries and businesses are run by the state, but private enterprise also exists in many sectors.

communism

this is the political belief that all people are equal and that workers should control the means of producing things.

plebiscite

a referendum or direct vote on one issue by the population of a country or region.

capitalism

the system in which privately owned businesses are allowed, and run for profit.

nationalism

the desire of political independence by people who have the same language, religion, or culture. It is often associated with the belief that a particular nation is better than any others are.

armistice

a cease fire in fighting, but no concluding peace has yet been agreed.

isolationism

the policy of withdrawing from international policies; the country only deals with domestic policies.

democracy

a system of government in which the people are able to choose by election those who should govern.

colonialism

the practice by which a powerful country directly controls less powerful countries and uses their resources to increase its own wealth and power.

liberalism

describes the belief in individual liberty. In terms of a state this means there is an elected parliament, political opposition, constitution, and formal protection for key individual rights.

autocracy

a system in which the country is ruled by a dictator or by a very authoritarian government.