CapitalismAn economic system in which means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. Private ownership and free enterprise can lead to more efficiency, lower prices, and better products.SocialismA theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and wealth. In practice, such a distribution of wealth is achieved by social ownership of the means of production, exchange and diffusion.CommunismA system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. In its ideal form, social classes cease to exist, but there are not supposed to be coercive governmental structures.

TotalitarianismThe government is in the hands of a minority who often rule through military might and extreme political repression. The Chilean government under General Pinochet (1973-1990) is an example of a totalitarian government.

DemocracyDemocracy is a political system which has many different meanings and can take different forms. It can be incorrectly used as a synonym for capitalism. Fundamentally, it means a government of, by, and for the people.

FederalismA political system that divides powers between the national and state governments (“shared governance”).

FascismA philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong, centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism (e.g. Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany).

CultureThe arts, customs, and habits that characterize a society or nation; the beliefs, values, behavior, and material objects that constitute a people's way of life.

Cultural identityThe identity or feeling of belonging to a specific group. It is part of a person's self-conception and self-perception and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality or any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture.

Cultural PluralismA term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities. Their values and practices are accepted by the wider culture provided they are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society.

Cultural RelativismCultural relativism is the principle of regarding the beliefs, values, and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself.

NationA self-identifying people who share a common history, common culture and a homeland. A nation is the most persistent and resistant organization of people-culture- territory. There are more than 7,000 nations on our planet.NationalismClose identification with the social, economic, historical and political concerns of a particular country or nation.

StateA territory built by conquest in which one culture, one set of ideals and one set of laws have been imposed by force or threat over diverse nations by a civilian or military bureaucracy. States can be ephemeral and may originate and disappear with the stroke of a pen (e.g. end of the U.S.S.R. on December 25, 1991).

Nation StateYou have a nation state if a nation’s homeland corresponds to a state’s territory.

EthnicityA social construct that indicates identification with a particular group which is often descended from common ancestors. Members of the group share common cultural traits and can be an identifiable minority within a larger nation-state.

Multinational StateYou have a multinational state when several distinct nations are found together in the same political state.

EthnonationalismStrong feeling of belonging to a minority dominated by a more powerful nation.

EthnocentrismThe belief that one's culture is superior to all others.

SeparatismDesire to break away and form one’s own (nation) state.

SecessionThe act of breaking away.

IrredentismIf a nation’s homeland spills over into another state and the people on the “wrong side” wish to join the territory. Any examples you know of?

The multicultural realities of “Yugoslavia”

Formed after WWI, “Yugoslavia” had:

- 1 currency - 2 alphabets- 3 religions- 4 languages- 5 nationalities

Yet, who ruled and how?

What happened in the 1980s and 1990s?

Breaking up is hard to do!

Need some extra credit?

The Case Study of “Yugoslavia”

Centripetal ForcesA force (e.g. ideology, religion) that holds a state (nation/multinational) together

Centrifugal ForcesA force that disrupts a country’s unity. Any examples you can think of?

Raison D’êtreThe purpose that justifies a state’s existence. What is the raison d’être of countries like Israel and India?

ImperialismThe practice of one country extending its control over the territory, political system, or economic life of another country. Political opposition to this foreign domination is called "anti-imperialism.”Liberalism

A 19th-century political idea which championed individual rights, civil liberties, and private property. How does this idea or concept relate to our course?

GlobalizationGlobalization refers in general to the worldwide integration of humanity and the compression of both the temporal and spatial dimensions of planet wide human interaction. It has aggravated many of the already existing chronic problems on our planet--such as the degree of economic exploitation and social inequality.

ColonialismColonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of Colonies in one territory by people from another territory in order to control their human and natural resources

NeocolonialismThe state of third-world countries which enjoy formal political independence, but continue to remain economically dependent on rich, industrialized countries which are often former colonial powers.

RevolutionAn alteration in the personnel, structure, supporting myth, and functions of government by methods which are not sanctioned by prevailing constitutional norms. These methods almost invariably involve violence or the threat of violence against political elites, citizens, or both and often with a resulting abrupt and significant change in the distribution of wealth and social status.

HegemonyDomination, influence, or authority over another, especially by one political group over a society or by one nation over others (internationally among nation-states, and regionally over social classes, between languages or even culture).

Right of Self-DeterminationThe right of a people to determine its own destiny. In particular, the principle allows a people to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, cultural and social development.

Dignity?Why is one’s dignity so important and how does it relate to the “right of self-determination”? What does the concept of “dignity” have to do with our course?

Just For Fun: Cow-Artly-Definitions

SocialismYou have 2 cows and you give one to your neighbor.

CommunismYou have 2 cows, the Government takes both and gives you some milk.

FascismYou have 2 cows. The Government takes both and shoots you.

Traditional CapitalismYou have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

Enron/BP/Wall Street Style Venture/Vulture CapitalismYou have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt / equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholders who sell the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public buys your bull.