IB English- Global Issues Terms

Canyon High School, Mr. Heck, 2024-2025

Anthropocene

The current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

Colonialism

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting its resources for economic gain.

Decolonization

The process of undoing the effects of colonialism and establishing political and economic independence for formerly colonized nations.

Diaspora

The dispersion or spread of people from their original homeland or ethnic group, often due to forced migration or voluntary movement.

Ecological footprint

The impact of a person, community, or organization on the environment, measured by the amount of resources consumed and waste generated.

Ethnography

The systematic study and description of human cultures and societies, often based on fieldwork and participant observation.

Globalization

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, economies, and cultures around the world.

Hegemony

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

Indigenous

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.

Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Neocolonialism

The continued economic, political, or cultural influence of former colonial powers over formerly colonized nations, often through indirect means.

Postcolonialism

A theoretical approach that examines the legacy and effects of colonialism on societies, cultures, and identities, particularly in the context of formerly colonized nations.

Subaltern

A person or group of people who are socially, politically, or economically marginalized or oppressed within a society.

Transnational

Extending or operating across national boundaries; involving or relating to more than one nation or country.

Acculturation

The process of cultural exchange and adaptation that occurs when different cultures come into contact with one another, often resulting in changes to both cultures.

Climate change

Long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, attributed largely to human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Cultural relativism

The principle that an individual's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood and interpreted in the context of their own culture, rather than judged against the standards of another culture.

Development

The process of economic, social, and political progress that leads to improved living standards, infrastructure, and quality of life within a society.

Environmental justice

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

Human rights

Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other status, including the rights to life, liberty, and security of person.

Imperialism

A policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, military conquest, or economic domination.

Inequality

The unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, or privileges within a society, often resulting in disparities in income, wealth, education, and social status.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, often for economic, social, or political reasons.

Multiculturalism

The coexistence of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and identities within a single society, often accompanied by policies that promote tolerance, respect, and appreciation for cultural diversity.

Nationalism

A strong sense of loyalty, pride, and devotion to one's nation or country, often characterized by the belief in the superiority of one's own culture or ethnicity.

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

A private organization that operates independently of government control and is typically dedicated to addressing social, environmental, or humanitarian issues.

Outsourcing

The practice of contracting out certain business functions or operations to external providers, often in other countries with lower labor costs.

Refugee

A person who has been forced to flee their home country due to persecution, war, or violence, and who is unable or unwilling to return due to fear of persecution.

Social justice

The principle of fair and equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and resources within a society, with a focus on addressing systemic inequalities and promoting human rights.

Sustainability

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often applied in the context of environmental conservation and resource management.

Transculturation

The process of cultural exchange and interaction that occurs when different cultures come into contact with one another, leading to mutual influence, adaptation, and hybridization.

Assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of a dominant or host society, often leading to the loss or suppression of their own cultural identity.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, market-based competition, and the pursuit of profit.

Community development

The process of empowering and mobilizing communities to identify and address their own needs and priorities, often through grassroots organizing and collective action.

Cultural appropriation

The unauthorized or inappropriate adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without proper understanding or respect for their significance.

Dependency theory

A theory that argues that the economic development of less-developed countries is hindered by their reliance on more developed countries for resources, markets, and investment, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and dependence.

Environmentalism

A social and political movement dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural environment, often through advocacy, activism, and policy initiatives.

Global citizenship

A sense of belonging and responsibility to the global community, with a commitment to promoting justice, equality, and sustainability on a global scale.

Humanitarianism

The belief in the value and dignity of every human being, coupled with a commitment to alleviating suffering and promoting human welfare and rights, particularly in times of crisis or emergency.

Intersectional feminism

A feminist approach that recognizes and addresses the interconnected nature of social identities such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability, and the ways in which they intersect and interact to shape experiences of oppression and privilege.

Neo-liberalism

A political and economic ideology that emphasizes free-market capitalism, limited government intervention, privatization, deregulation, and globalization.

Postmodernism

A cultural and intellectual movement characterized by skepticism, relativism, and a rejection of grand narratives and universal truths, often associated with the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Structuralism

A theoretical approach that analyzes the underlying structures and systems that shape society, culture, and language, emphasizing the interplay between individual agency and social forces.

Third World

A term historically used to refer to less-developed or economically disadvantaged countries, particularly those in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Urbanization

The process of population growth and expansion of cities and urban areas, often accompanied by social, economic, and environmental changes.

Westernization

The adoption or influence of Western cultural, social, and political norms, values, and practices by non-Western societies, often as a result of colonialism, globalization, or cultural exchange.

Xenophobia

Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards people from other countries or cultures, often based on fear or distrust of the unfamiliar or unknown.

Cultural hegemony

The dominance or leadership of one culture, ideology, or worldview over others, achieved through the dissemination of its values, beliefs, and norms as universal or natural.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.