Key Concepts in Political Systems, Society, and Culture

Polytheism

the belief in or worship of more than one god.

Monotheism

the belief that there is only one God.

Democracy

a system of government by the people - majority rules

Centralized

One body or authority has the power to govern and maintain order

Decentralized

Power is distributed among multiple bodies to govern and maintain order

Theocracy

Government by divine guidance; leaders may be members of the clergy, and the state's legal system is based on religious law.

Monarchy

a form of government with a monarch at the head.

Secular

No religious or spiritual influence

Dynasty

a line of hereditary rulers of a country

Empire

an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority

State-Building

Processes of creation, unification, stabilization and sustainable development of states (nation)

Infrastructure

the system of public works projects like transportation systems, communication networks, sewage, water

Patriarchy

a system of society or government in which men hold the power

Agrarian

Agricultural society; economy is based on producing and maintaining crops and farmland

Labor Systems

Relationship of the workers to the master/employer

Urban

Relating to or characteristic of a town or city

Rural

Countryside - located outside towns and cities. Typically have a low population density and small settlements.

Bureaucracy

Government officials who are non-elected, civil servants in multiple departments

Social

Organization of people in society - class, gender, race/ethnicity

Political

Relating to government or public affairs of the country

Economic

The making, distributing, selling and purchasing of goods and services; trade routes

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of one culture's practices, beliefs, and/or items, like food, music, or technology.

Demographic

Relates to population's age, gender, ethnicity, income, level of education, religion, occupation, family structure.

Assimilation

The process through which individuals and groups of differing heritages acquire the basic habits, attitudes, and mode of life of an embracing culture.

Contextualization

The process of considering something in the situation within which it exists or happens, which can help in understanding it.

Stratification

Hierarchal arrangement of individuals and groups in a society.