Download Culture Vocabulary

Culture Vocabulary
Culture
Everything that makes up a way of life.
Political
Totalitarianism
The government has “total” control of the entire society and how people run their lives. This type of
government can include: oligarchy, theocracy, monarchy and communism.
Oligarchy
100% control. The control of the government by a small group of people. Usually, one is considered the leader
or head (like a dictator ex: Hitler, Kim Jong Un)
Monarchy
When a country is ruled by a royal family (100% control) King/queen are born into the job (ex: Saudi Arabia).
Constitutional monarchies (50% control) are a combination of a republic and monarchy (ex: Britain).
Communism
100% control. An economic and political system. The government controls all elements of people’s lives. The
government makes sure that everyone is equal in all things. Everything (property, food, money etc.) is
managed by the government so no one has more or less than anyone else.
Republic / Democratic Republic
50% control of society. The power rests in the citizens who vote for people to represent them in government.
The government has to rule according to the laws of the land in order to protect the freedoms of the people
(Ex: in America, we vote for a president and congress who makes decisions for up using the Constitution)
Anarchy
0% control of society. Lack of government or recognizable government. People have no official government
and therefore no laws or order. Warlords may split up an area, but do not unify it.
Theocracy
A form of oligarchy when a there is a religious leader, or a place is governed by a religious law (Islamic
Afghanistan under the Taliban). This can be in combination of a “republic” (Iran and Sudan) or monarchy.
Economy
Traditional
(0% gov regulation) People produce what they need and trade for goods. There is no money used. This is not
common in modern day societies.
Command
(100% gov regulation) The government controls the economy. They tell people what to make and how much
to sell if for. This is usually in totalitarian societies.
Market/ Capitalism
(0% gov regulation) Complete freedom in the market place. You can do/sell anything however you like and the
government cannot tell you if you can or cannot do it. “If you will buy it then we will make it!”
Mixed
(50% gov regulation) A system that is a combination of command and market. People decide what to make but
the government gives rules to keep people safe and businesses honest. “You can sell any car you like, but you
need safety belts etc.” This is our modern system.
Industrial Revolution (also fits under technology)
(began in the 1700’s) Created major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and
technology etc. Used MASS production to create items quickly and by workers- not craftsmen.
Religion
Monotheism
The belief in ONE god. Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Polytheism
The belief in MANY gods. Major religion: Hinduism.
3 Basic Questions of life all religions answer
How did we get here? (Creation story)
What is the meaning of life? (Purpose of life)
Where do we go when we die? (After-life belief)
Social
Nuclear Family
Two generations live together (parent(s) and children) because they can take care of their needs alone. More
common in modern society
Extended Family
Family unit made of multiple generations living together (grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, kids etc.) in
order to pool resources.
Industrial Society
There are machines to do make things more efficient (ex: cars to travel, washing machines to clean clothes,
factories to make products)
Major Social Rule
Something punishable by law (ex: burglary, murder, speeding).
Minor Social Rule
These are social rules and customs. People will laugh or think you are strange if you break a minor social rule,
but you will not be arrested. (ex: wearing a bathing suit to school or picking your nose)
Social Class
A way to rank people. You could be in a higher or lower social classes depending on what you society thinks is
important. (ex: money, land, knowledge, religious rank)
Language
The way people communicate. Losing this is the first step to losing one’s cultural ties.
Cultural Interactions
Racism
Belief that one's race is superior to others (You were born better. It is in your blood). When one singles out,
discriminates or passes judgment on another based upon race.
Ethnocentrism
Believing your culture is better than another culture. (your PERSIA+GT is normal, stronger, and better than
others)
Culture clash
When two cultures’ beliefs/values/norms do not match and often one offends another intentionally or
unintentionally. (ex: teddy bear teacher in Sudan, Richard Gere’s kiss in India, Obama’s bow in Japan)
Cultural Diffusion
One culture influences another. A culture may take an entire idea/activity/tradition or only part of it.
Cultural Adaptation
An adjustment to one’s culture due to cultural diffusion. Often a culture will be influenced by another culture
but only take which parts fit within its own set of values and beliefs. (Ex: “Vegetarian” McDonalds in India, and
“Amusement park adjustments” Disney)
Political and Economic Scale of Control of Society
100%
Totalitarian
Oligarchy
Communism
Theocracy
Monarchy
Command
50%
Republic
Constitutional Monarchy
Mixed
0%
Anarchy
Market/Capitalism
Traditional
Other Useful Words
Arable Land
Land able to be used for farming
Mortality
Death rate
Export
Selling things from the country
Import
Buying goods from others
Matriarchal
Oldest woman = head of fam.
Patriarchal
Oldest Man = head of fam.
Agricultural
Farming
Nomadic Herding
Roaming while herding animals
Urban
City
Rural
Country
Suburban
Between urban and rural (NC)
Industrialization
Has gone through IR- factories
Infrastructure
The systems that help a society function (roads, police)
Literacy
The ability to read
Suffrage
Ability to vote
GDP
The amount of money a country makes. GDP per capita
is how much, on average, a person makes in a year
Population density
How many people live in a specific area of land