PLSC 100 Midterm

State

Political organization with sovereign authority over a defined geographic territory, possessing the legitimate monopoly on the use of force.

Government

The system or group of people with the authority to govern a state, consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Power

Capacity to influence, lead, dominate, or have an impact on the life and actions of others.

Authority

The legitimate right to exercise power, make decisions, or enforce compliance within a specific domain.

Sovereignty

Supreme and independent political authority within a defined territory.

Human Rights

Inherent rights that apply to all human beings, characterized by universality, inalienability, and indivisibility.

Universal

Applies to all human beings regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or status.

Inalienable

Rights that cannot be taken away, surrendered, or transferred.

Indivisible

All rights are interconnected and cannot be separated from one another.

Civil and Political Rights

Rights that protect individual freedoms and ensure one can participate in the civil and political life of society.

Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Rights that ensure the welfare of individuals in terms of work, social security, and education.

Collective/Group Rights

Rights held by a group of individuals, such as the right to self-determination and rights of indigenous peoples.

UN Human Rights Council

A UN body that addresses human rights violations and conducts reviews of all member states.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The principal UN office for human rights, providing expertise and support for human rights mechanisms.

Amnesty International

An organization that documents human rights abuses and advocates for policy changes.

Human Rights Watch

An organization that investigates human rights abuses and publishes reports advocating for policy reform.

Cultural Relativism

The idea that morality is dependent on cultural or societal norms; no universal standard exists.

Universalism

The belief that there is one moral code applicable to every society.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of a dominant community's culture onto another nondominant community.