Global Politics Vocab Set 3

Equality

Everyone is treated the exact same way regardless of differences.

Example: The U.S. Supreme Court has been protecting workplace equality since 2020

Equity

People get the support they individually need to have equal opportunities.

Example: Covid-19 prioritization to high-risk groups since 2020

Negative liberty

Freedom from government interference in your life.

Example: Journalists in the UK cannot be arrested for criticizing politicians.

Positive liberty

Freedom that requires help or support from the government to achieve.

Example: SNAP currently operates nationwide and is serving millions of people each year.

Justice

Fair treatment where people receive what they deserve based on rules or morality.

Example: The ICC prosecuting leaders for war crimes in Sudan.

Rights

Basic entitlements every person should have simply for being human.

Example: The right to life in Article 3 of the UDHR.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A UN document listing universal rights all humans should have.

Example: Activists use it to challenge restrictions on women in Afghanistan.

Civil rights

Rights guaranteeing equal treatment and freedom from discrimination.

Example: U.S. enforcement of voting rights laws to protect against discriminatory voting practices.

Civil liberties

Freedoms that protect individuals from government control.

Example: U.S. courts and organizations actively defended freedom of speech in 2023-2024

Legal rights

Rights that exist because they are written into a country's laws.

Example: Abortion access laws expanded in U.S. states in 2024. It is written into law and upheld by courts.

Social rights

Rights that ensure basic well-being and quality of life.

Example: Right to paid parental leave expanded in Spain (2023–2024)

Economic rights

Rights that protect people's ability to work and make a living.

Example: Minimum wage raised in Germany.

Political rights

Rights that let people participate in government.

Example: Women voting in Saudi Arabia since 2015.

Cultural & solidarity rights

Rights that protect group identity and cooperation between communities.

Example: New Zealand is strengthening protections for the Māori language and culture.

Non-binding international law

Guidelines countries are encouraged—but not required—to follow.

Example: UN General Assembly resolutions on climate justice.

Natural rights

Rights that people have simply because they are human, not because of laws.

Example: Right to privacy and digital communications (EU)

Positive rights

Rights that require government action to fulfill.

Example: Free universal preschool in France expanding in 2023-2024

Negative rights

Rights that require the government to not interfere.

Example: Freedom from torture under international law.

First generation rights

Civil and political rights protecting individual freedoms.

Example: Protest rights in France during the 2023-2024 demonstrations

Second generation rights

Social and economic rights for wellbeing and equality.

Example: Brazil's constitutional right to healthcare, which expanded healthcare access in 2021-2024

Third generation rights

Collective rights held by groups or communities.

Example: The right to a healthy environment recognized in Chile.

Collective rights

Rights held by groups rather than individuals.

Example: First Nations tribes in Canada having land rights.

Universality of rights

The idea that all humans everywhere should have the same rights.

Example: Global condemnation of torture regardless of country. (UN Committee Against Torture Report 2023)

Cultural relativism

The idea that rights should reflect cultural values and traditions.

Example: Debates about women's dress laws in Iran.

Social justice

Fair distribution of resources and opportunities in society.

Example: Mexico expanding gender equality protections (2023–2024)

Political justice

Fairness in political systems and decision-making.

Example: Kenya 2022 elections: peaceful and transparent elections; allowed citizens to vote freely and have their vote fairly counted

Egalitarian justice

Justice that aims to make people as equal as possible.

Example: Universal basic income proposals in Europe.

Cosmopolitan justice

The idea that justice applies globally, not just within countries.

Example: Rich countries funding climate adaptation in poorer nations.

Ecological justice

Justice that protects the rights of nature and the environment.

Example: Ecuador granting legal rights to the Amazon rainforest.

Zulu Ubuntu

An African philosophy meaning 'a person is a person through others.'

Example: continued use of community-based restorative justice and mutual aid programs in South Africa

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

A UN court that settles legal disputes between countries.

Example: South Africa's 2024 genocide case against Israel.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A court that tries individuals for crimes like genocide and war crimes.

Example: The ICC issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023.

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

A UN body that investigates and monitors human rights abuses.

Example: UNHRC inquiries into Syria and Sudan.

UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

A UN agency that protects refugees and displaced people.

Example: UNHCR supporting refugees from Sudan in Egypt

Regional human rights tribunals

Courts that protect human rights within a specific region.

Example: The European Court of Human Rights ruling against Russia.

Human rights civil society organizations

Non-government groups working to protect human rights.

Example: Human Rights Watch reporting on abuses in Myanmar.

Marginalized populations

Groups are excluded from full participation in society.

Example: Lower castes facing discrimination in India.

Vulnerable populations

Groups at high risk of harm or exploitation.

Example: Unaccompanied child refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Codification of rights

Writing rights clearly into official law.

Example: France constitutionalizing the right to abortion (2024)

International humanitarian law

Rules that protect civilians during war.

Example: Banning attacks on hospitals in Gaza.

Human rights treaties

Legal agreements that countries sign to protect rights.

Example: The Escazu agreement

Human rights monitoring

Collecting evidence and reporting when rights are violated.

Example: UN monitors documenting abuses in Congo.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

The idea that countries must prevent genocide and mass atrocities.

Example: UN debates on whether to intervene in Sudan.

Humanitarian intervention

Use of military forces to prevent civilians from harm. ex: UN authorized intervention in Sudan/Darfur.

Sanctions

Punishments like travel bans or economic restrictions on a country. Example: U.S. sanctions on Russia after the Ukraine invasion.

Indigenous rights

Rights protecting native groups' cultures, land, and traditions.

Example: Australia recognizing Aboriginal land claims.

Sharia law

Islamic legal principles based on the Quran and teachings of the Prophet.

Example: Nigeria's northern states using Sharia in family and marriage cases.