Social Studies and Political Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key political, governmental, social, and economic terms from the lecture notes.

advocate

To support; to be in favor of

agency

Independent decision-making within a structure

analysis

Separation of a whole into its component parts

belligerent

Aggressive; hostile

capital

Resources used to accumulate wealth or power

comparative

Examining two or more items to establish similarities and differences

depict

To show or illustrate

espouse

To speak on behalf of a cause or idea

matriarchal

Female-dominated

malevolent

Showing ill will

agenda

An underlying (often ideological) plan or program

bureaucracy

A body of non-elected government officials; those involved in the administration of policy

coalition

Groups allied for a common purpose

constituency

Those being represented

deficit

A shortage; excess of spending over revenue

demographic

Characteristics relating to population

discrimination

To show partiality in treatment

entitlement

Belief that one is deserving of certain privileges

fiscal

Relating to public revenue or public debt

ideology

A set of beliefs

inflation

Rising prices

marginalized

Lacking power

polarization

A division into two extremes of groups or interests

proliferation

An increase in the number of something

radical

One who wants immediate, extreme change

reactionary

One who wants to return to an idealized past

socioeconomic

Relating to class, wealth, and status

surplus

The amount that remains when use or need is satisfied

Amend

To alter or change significantly

Condemnation

To criticize or disapprove of something, very strongly

Ratification

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement