Health and Human Rights key terms

Authoritarian

The forced governance of a country, through limited freedom of speech and rights of citizens.

British Human Rights Report

A report identifying Human Rights Priority Countries, where rights are denied or restricted as viewed by the British government.

Composite Index

Where multiple factors are combined to assess how developed a country is e.g. Happy Planet Index, Human Development Index.

Democratic State

Country based on ideology that everyone vote/opinion is equal.

Deprivation

Where people lack the essentials for survival, such as water, food, shelter or employment.

Deregulation

The removal of government rules or closed markets, often as a condition of aid from a developed country.

Development

The standard of living, knowledge and technology or sustainability of a country.

Direct Military Intervention

The use of military 'force’, soldiers, weapons, conflict, to create change.

Ethnic Minority

A group of small size (in comparison to a country's population) that may have different place of origin, culture or lived experience.

Failed State

A government that has lost control of its population or cannot function effectively.

Human Rights

Fundamental necessities or conditions that everyone should be entitled to.

Indirect Military Intervention

The use of military personnel to help development, reconstruction or training.

Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)

The UN created 7 goals to try to improve global development. Ran from 2000 to 2015.

Sharia Law

The Islamic laws and customs to be followed by its followers. Some countries make an interpretation of Sharia Law as its laws.

Simple Index

One factor is measured to describe development e.g. life expectancy, birth rates, literacy rates.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN created 17 goals, based on the MDGs initial progress, to improve global development. Will run from 2015 to 2030.

Tied Aid

Aid given to a country under certain conditions. For example, aid manufactured by the donor or aid only available if the receiving country changes its government, policies or trade.

Trade Embargo

Restricting or banning any trade, movement of people or cooperation with a particular country e.g. US's embargo on Cuba

Totalitarian

A dictator or political party that gains power by being favourable to the population and having a strong sense of ideology. They control all aspects of the nation, including personal life and freedoms.

Welfare State

Government aims to provide for the disadvantaged or vulnerable people in the community, through financial support, training or housing.