Society & Culture

QuestionAnswer
statistical data relating to the population and groups within it
demographics
Shifting demographics in urban areas have influenced government housing policies.
the process of making an area more urban in character
urbanisation
Rapid urbanisation in developing countries has led to overcrowded cities.
the process of absorbing one cultural group into the customs of another
assimilation
Cultural assimilation can lead to the loss of minority languages and traditions.
the state of not being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities
inequality
Income inequality has become one of the most debated social issues globally.
the movement of people from one place to another to settle permanently
migration
Mass migration from rural to urban areas has transformed the economic landscape.
the process of combining people or groups into a unified society
integration
Successful integration of immigrants depends on access to education and employment.
the inclusion of different types of people in a group or organisation
diversity
Workplace diversity has been shown to improve creativity and decision-making.
valued objects and traditions passed down through generations
heritage
UNESCO works to protect world heritage sites of outstanding cultural significance.
the characteristics determining who or what a person or group is
identity
Cultural identity is often shaped by language, religion, and shared history.
a group of people living in the same place or sharing common interests
community
A strong sense of community can improve mental health and social wellbeing.
the process of learning to behave in a way acceptable to society
socialisation
Early socialisation in schools helps children develop interpersonal skills.
preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience
prejudice
Prejudice against minority groups remains a persistent barrier to social equality.
unjust treatment of different categories of people on various grounds
discrimination
Anti-discrimination legislation aims to ensure equal treatment in the workplace.
the process of interaction and integration among people and countries worldwide
globalisation
Globalisation has made it easier for cultures to exchange ideas and practices.
a system of ideas and ideals forming the basis of a political or economic theory
ideology
Political ideology significantly influences government policy on social welfare.
a long-established custom or belief passed from generation to generation
tradition
Many families maintain cultural traditions that strengthen their sense of belonging.
traditional practices or usual ways of behaving in a society
customs
Understanding local customs is essential for travellers to show cultural respect.
selfless concern for the wellbeing of others
altruism
Altruism is often studied in sociology as a driver of community cooperation.
the study of human societies, cultures, and their development
anthropology
Anthropology provides insight into how ancient civilisations organised their communities.
the suppression of speech or public communication deemed objectionable
censorship
Censorship of the press undermines freedom of expression in many countries.
the state of forming a united whole; social unity
cohesion
Social cohesion is strengthened when communities share common goals and values.
behaviour in accordance with socially accepted standards
conformity
Conformity to group norms can sometimes suppress individual creativity.
relating to the structure of a population
demographic
Demographic changes such as an ageing population affect pension systems.
behaviour that departs from accepted social norms
deviance
Sociologists study deviance to understand why people break social rules.
the dispersion of a people from their original homeland
diaspora
The diaspora has maintained strong cultural ties despite living across many countries.
the process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
emancipation
The emancipation of enslaved people was a pivotal moment in the nation's history.
relating to a group of people sharing a common cultural background
ethnic
Ethnic diversity enriches a society by introducing different perspectives and traditions.
the advocacy of equal rights for women on the grounds of gender equality
feminism
Feminism has been instrumental in achieving voting rights and workplace protections.
the socially constructed roles and behaviours associated with being male or female
gender
Gender studies examine how societal expectations influence individual opportunities.
a system in which members are ranked according to relative status or authority
hierarchy
Social hierarchy can limit upward mobility for individuals from lower economic classes.
of the same kind; uniform in composition or character
homogeneous
A homogeneous society may lack the creative benefits that cultural diversity provides.
diverse in character or content; composed of different elements
heterogeneous
Heterogeneous classrooms challenge teachers to accommodate different learning styles.
to treat a person or group as insignificant or peripheral
marginalise
Policies that marginalise certain communities can lead to social unrest.
the presence and acceptance of several cultural groups within a society
multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is a defining feature of many modern cosmopolitan cities.
standards of behaviour that are typical or expected within a society
norms
Social norms evolve over time as attitudes and values change across generations.
a social system in which men hold primary power and authority
patriarchy
Challenging patriarchy has been central to the feminist movement for decades.
a system in which multiple groups coexist and participate in society
pluralism
Political pluralism ensures that diverse viewpoints are represented in governance.
not connected with religious or spiritual matters
secular
Secular education systems aim to provide a neutral learning environment for all students.
unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals with a common interest
solidarity
Workers demonstrated solidarity by joining the strike in support of fair wages.
a widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person
stereotype
Media portrayals can reinforce harmful stereotypes about ethnic minorities.
a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance or quality
stigma
The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents many people from seeking help.
willingness to accept behaviour and beliefs different from one's own
tolerance
Tolerance of different viewpoints is essential for a functioning democratic society.
dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries
xenophobia
Xenophobia tends to increase during periods of economic uncertainty and job scarcity.
public support for a particular cause or policy
advocacy
Advocacy groups have played a key role in advancing disability rights legislation.
the right or condition of self-governance or independence
autonomy
Regional autonomy allows local governments to make decisions suited to their populations.
a system of government with many complicated rules and procedures
bureaucracy
Excessive bureaucracy can hinder the efficient delivery of public services.
the status of being a legal member of a particular country
citizenship
Citizenship grants individuals the right to vote and access public services.
relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns as distinct from military matters
civil
Civil liberties protect individuals from government overreach and oppression.
the state of living or existing together at the same time or in the same place
coexistence
Peaceful coexistence among different religious groups requires mutual respect.
the practice of giving priority to a group over each individual in it
collectivism
Collectivism in some cultures emphasises family obligations over personal ambitions.
the policy of acquiring political control over another country and exploiting it
colonialism
The legacy of colonialism continues to affect economic development in many regions.
shared by all members of a community; done or owned jointly
communal
Communal spaces in housing developments encourage social interaction among residents.
a political philosophy favouring traditional values and gradual change
conservatism
Conservatism often promotes the preservation of established social institutions.
the fundamental principles or laws governing a state or organisation
constitution
The constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens regardless of background.
dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power
corruption
Corruption undermines public trust and diverts resources away from essential services.
a system of government in which power is vested in the people
democracy
Democracy depends on an informed electorate and transparent governance.
the forced movement of people from their home or country
displacement
Armed conflict has caused the displacement of millions of civilians worldwide.
a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a group or institution
doctrine
The doctrine of human rights underpins many international treaties and agreements.
to leave one's own country to settle permanently in another
emigrate
Many professionals emigrate in search of better career opportunities abroad.
evaluating other cultures according to the standards of one's own culture
ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism can lead to misunderstanding and conflict between different cultural groups.
the process of renovating an area so it conforms to middle-class tastes
gentrification
Gentrification often displaces long-term residents who can no longer afford rising rents.
the action or manner of governing a state or organisation
governance
Good governance requires transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare
humanitarian
Humanitarian organisations provide aid to communities affected by natural disasters.
the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
immigration
Immigration policies vary widely and are often a subject of political debate.
a policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonisation
imperialism
Imperialism reshaped the political boundaries of many countries in Africa and Asia.
the principle of being independent and self-reliant rather than group-oriented
individualism
Western societies tend to value individualism and personal achievement.
the official power to make legal decisions and judgements
jurisdiction
The court ruled that the case fell outside its jurisdiction.
blood relationship or a sharing of characteristics or origins
kinship
Kinship networks provide social support and economic cooperation in many societies.
laws considered collectively; the process of making laws
legislation
New legislation was introduced to protect the rights of migrant workers.
the quality of being lawful, justified, or widely accepted
legitimacy
The legitimacy of the election was questioned by international observers.
a political philosophy advocating individual rights and limited government
liberalism
Liberalism champions personal freedoms and equal opportunity for all citizens.
based on kinship with the mother or the female line of descent
matrilineal
In matrilineal societies, inheritance passes through the mother's family.
a form of government with a king or queen as head of state
monarchy
Constitutional monarchy limits the sovereign's powers through an elected parliament.
strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests
nationalism
Rising nationalism can strain diplomatic relations between neighbouring countries.
favouritism granted to relatives or close friends in positions of power
nepotism
Nepotism in government appointments undermines public trust in institutions.
a form of government in which power rests with a small elite group
oligarchy
Critics argue that the country has become an oligarchy controlled by wealthy families.
prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority
oppression
The oppression of minority groups has sparked numerous social justice movements.
the desire to promote the welfare of others, often through charitable donations
philanthropy
Philanthropy has funded hospitals, universities, and research institutions worldwide.
a political approach appealing to ordinary people who feel neglected by elites
populism
Populism has gained traction in countries experiencing economic hardship.
biased information used to promote a political cause or point of view
propaganda
State-controlled media can be used as a tool for spreading propaganda.
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question
referendum
The referendum on independence produced a deeply divided result across the country.
a person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war or persecution
refugee
Refugee camps often lack adequate sanitation and access to education.
a state in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives
republic
A republic is distinguished from a monarchy by the absence of a hereditary ruler.
a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favour of a new system
revolution
The industrial revolution fundamentally transformed social structures and economies.
supreme power or authority; the authority of a state to govern itself
sovereignty
National sovereignty is a core principle in international relations and law.
a cultural group within a larger culture with distinct beliefs or interests
subculture
Youth subcultures often develop their own music, fashion, and social norms.
the right to vote in political elections
suffrage
Universal suffrage was achieved after decades of campaigning for equal voting rights.
a social or religious custom prohibiting a particular practice or topic
taboo
Discussing mental health has historically been taboo in many cultures.
a system of government requiring complete subservience to the state
totalitarianism
Totalitarianism suppresses individual freedoms and controls all aspects of public life.
the state of being organised in or advocating for a tribe or tribal values
tribalism
Political tribalism can polarise communities and hinder constructive dialogue.
cruel and oppressive government or rule
tyranny
The people rose up against the tyranny of the authoritarian regime.
an imagined place or state where everything is perfect
utopia
The philosopher envisioned a utopia where social inequality no longer existed.
the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group
welfare
Social welfare programmes provide a safety net for the most vulnerable members of society.
a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination
apartheid
The dismantling of apartheid in South Africa marked a turning point for human rights.
the highest social class, often comprising hereditary nobility
aristocracy
The aristocracy wielded considerable political influence in pre-revolutionary France.
the protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a refugee
asylum
Thousands of displaced people applied for asylum in neighbouring countries.
involving two parties, especially countries
bilateral
Bilateral trade agreements can strengthen economic ties between nations.
the middle class, typically associated with conventional values and materialism
bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie played a central role in the economic and political revolutions of the 18th century.
a class or social division based on hereditary rank or wealth
caste
The caste system historically determined social mobility and occupational roles.
familiar with and at ease in many different cultures and countries
cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan outlook encourages openness to different ideas and ways of life.
to deprive someone of the right to vote or other privileges
disenfranchise
Voter ID laws can inadvertently disenfranchise certain segments of the population.
a set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true
dogma
Scientific inquiry challenges dogma by requiring evidence-based conclusions.
all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote
electorate
The electorate was deeply divided on the proposed constitutional amendment.
the act of leaving one's own country to settle in another
emigration
Emigration from the region accelerated due to economic instability and conflict.
dominance or leadership of one state or group over others
hegemony
Cultural hegemony can marginalise the traditions and languages of smaller groups.
the process of teaching a person to accept a set of beliefs uncritically
indoctrination
Indoctrination through propaganda can undermine independent thought in a society.
unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor
inalienable
The declaration affirms that all people have inalienable rights to life and liberty.
the working-class people regarded collectively
proletariat
The proletariat organised strikes demanding better wages and working conditions.
the making of amends for a wrong, especially through compensation
reparation
Calls for reparation continue in countries affected by historical injustices.
the principle of separating the state from religious institutions
secularism
Secularism in public education ensures that no single religion is favoured.
a system of government in which priests rule in the name of a deity
theocracy
A theocracy bases its laws and policies on religious doctrine and scripture.