Global Studies Terms

Culture

The characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people.

ex. In American culture, its common for strangers to be polite to each other.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture solely for the values and standards of one’s own culture.

ex. When Americans claim that Indian food is bad, it’s ethnocentrism as they are judging Indian food solely because it is different than what they know.

Globalization

The interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture; interdependence of economic and cultural activities.

ex. The Silk road spread textiles, food, gold, and diseases to different parts of the world.

Sovereignty

Concept that a state has the full right and power to govern itself without any interference from outside sources or bodies.

ex. Ukraine’s sovereignty starts getting taken away when Russia invades.

Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.

ex. The Holocaust killed 6 million Jews. The Nazi’s goal was to exterminate the entire race.

Secular

The state of being separate form religion or not being exclusively allied with or against any particular religion.

ex. The American school system is not aligned with any particular religion.

Sacred

Worthy of religious worship: very holy.

ex. Holy books, religious figures, religious sites such as Jerusalem.

Fundamentalism

The demand for a strict adherence to orthodox religious doctrines. (Strict literal interpretation and extreme.)

ex. Taliban forcing all of society to follow their interpretation of Islam (full coverings for women and they can’t go to school.)

Warlord

A military commander exercising civil power in a region; locally powerful militants who rule by force in the absence of a strong central government

ex. The Taliban are warlords, not official government.

Human Trafficking

Modern-day slavery; involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

ex. Thousands of girls being trafficked in Nepal and India are tricked into it.

State

An organized political community, living under a government. Must have territory, population, sovereignty, and government.

ex. Russia, the UK, and the US are large, powerful states.

Nationalism

Strong identification with one’s ethnic, cultural, or religious background.

ex. Putin mindset about Russia, he is influencing everyone in Russia to be nationalistic.

Nationalize

The transfer of a major branch of industry or commerce from private to state ownership or control.

ex. Saudi Arabia nationalized their oil, meaning the government controls it instead of private businesses.

Sectarian

Subdivisions within a group, such as between different denominations of a religion, or factions of a political movement.

ex. Sunni and Shia are sectarians of Islam.

Cult of personality

When a political leader uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized, heroic, and at times, worshipful image, often through flattery and praise.

ex. Trump creating trading cards of himself, Putin’s view in Russia.

Coup d’etat

“Blow of state:” The sudden and illegal seizure of government, usually through military force.

ex. The French directory overthrowing the French consulate and bringing Napolean to power.

Imperialism

A policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.

ex. Putin trying to take over Ukraine.

Passive Colonization

The establishment and rule of a colony without relying solely on force.

ex. North America colonized by England.

Diaspora

A scattered population with a common origin in a smaller geographic area.

ex. There are 2.2 million Mexicans in the US.

Refugee

A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

ex. Millions of Ukrainian and Syrian refugees who escaped due to war.

Tribalism

Loyalty to a tribe or other social group especially when combined with strong negative feelings for people outside the group.

ex. The kids in Promises who had a strong loyalty towards either side.

Hegemony

Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.

ex. The power the Hutus have over the Tutsis.

Sanctions

Actions taken by countries against others for political reasons, either unilaterally or multilaterally, to force compliance.

ex. The US sanctioned Russian oil and caused our oil prices to increase.

Theocracy

A form of government in which a deity is officially recognized as the civil ruler and is governed by officials regarded as divinely guided, or is pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religion or religious group.

ex. The Pope ruling Vatican city.

Totalitarianism

Form of government in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

ex. The Soviet Union under Stalin.