Social Studies 1201 Final Terms

Right

A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something, such as freedom of speech or the right to vote

Human Right

A basic right or freedom that all people should have simply because they are human, such as the right to life, liberty, and security

Legal Right

A right that is recognized and protected by law, such as those found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Equal Rights

The principle that all people are entitled to the same legal, social, and economic rights without discrimination

Intolerance

Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from one’s own, often leading to discrimination or prejudice against those individuals or groups.

Prejudice

A preconceived opinion or feeling, usually negative, formed without knowledge, thought, or reason

Persecution

The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another individual or group, often for reasons of religion, race, or political belief

Genocide

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

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

an international document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 that sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. These include rights such as freedom, equality, and protection from discrimination for all people, regardless of nationality, religion, or gender.

Discrimination

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability

Negative Rights

Rights that require others to refrain from interfering, such as the right to privacy or freedom from torture

Positive Rights

Rights that require action by others, such as the right to education or health care and are essential for enabling individuals to achieve their potential and live with dignity.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF)

a part of the Canadian Constitution that guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all people in Canada, such as freedom of expression, religion, and equality before the law. It also includes provisions for minority language education rights and protects democratic rights like the right to vote.

Limitations Clause

A clause in a legal document (such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) that allows certain rights and freedoms to be limited under specific circumstances, as long as the limitation is justifiable in a free and democratic society to ensure balance between individual rights and social interests.

Indigenous Peoples

Groups of people who are the original inhabitants of a region or country, such as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada

Distinct Society

A term referring to groups or communities within a country that have unique cultural, linguistic, or historical characteristics, such as Quebec within Canada

Self Determination

The right of a people to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development

Laws

Official rules and regulations established by a government and enforced by legal authorities to govern the behavior of individuals and organizations.

Policies

Official plans or courses of action adopted by governments or organizations to achieve specific goals

Electoral System

The method by which votes are cast and counted to determine the outcome of an election

First Past the Post

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, regardless of whether they have a majority

Majority Government

A government in which the ruling party holds more than half the seats in the legislature

Minority Government

A government in which the ruling party holds the most seats but less than half in the legislature, requiring support from other parties to pass legislation

Negative Campaigning

A political strategy that focuses on criticizing or attacking opponents rather than promoting one’s own policies or achievements

Media Scrutiny

The close and critical examination of actions, decisions, or policies by the media

Propaganda

Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view

Argument

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action, or theory

Opinion

A personal view, attitude, or appraisal that is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge

Fact

A statement that can be proven true or false based on evidence or observation

Dogmatic

holding beliefs or opinions in an inflexible or unquestioning way, often asserting them as absolute truths and refusing to consider other viewpoints or evidence. A ________ person is convinced their views are correct and may not be open to discussion or change.

Popular Opinion

The views or beliefs held by the majority of people in a society at a particular time