Glossary of Cultural and Political Terms
A
Agora
The central square in ancient Greek cities where philosophers met and important buildings stood.
Arabesque
Decorative art characteristic of Islamic cultures, based on intersecting spirals and curved lines forming harmonious compositions.
Arabic
Relating to the Arabic language or people.
Arabist
A person knowledgeable in Arabic language and culture.
Arabize
To adopt Arabic language, style, or customs.
Aristocracy
A form of government where power resides in a minority social group, the nobility.
Arracada
A type of pendant earring.
B
Bipartisan
Involving two political parties.
Bureaucracy
Administrative activities carried out in public offices.
C
Caliph
The title given to successors of Muhammad, exercising supreme civil and religious authority in Islam.
Citânia
A Celtic circular stone house with a thatched or cube roof.
Civilize
To bring a society or individual from a perceived state of nature to a more advanced state, often from a colonial perspective.
Counterculture
A movement that rebels against and challenges the established structures and behaviors of a society.
Cultivate
To educate, refine, and civilize.
Culturalist
Based on a broad study of culture.
Culturization
The acquisition of culture.
D
Democracy
A government where the people exercise sovereignty and choose their leaders.
Democratize
To become democratic.
Civil Rights
Legal protections and rights guaranteed by law.
Inalienable Rights
Rights that cannot be transferred or sold.
Emancipation
The freeing of slaves.
E
Eminent
Distinguished and outstanding in knowledge and reputation.
Emir
A political and military leader in the Islamic world.
Emperor
A sovereign ruler of an empire.
F
Forum
A public square in Roman cities used for trials and gatherings.
I
Islamize
To spread the Islamic religion.
M
Mahatma
A respected spiritual leader in India.
Marathon
Lasting a long time.
Mosque
A building for Islamic prayer.
Military
Relating to the armed forces.
One-Party System
A political system dominated by a single party.
P
Pagoda
A tiered temple in various Eastern cultures.
Party
A group of people with shared political ideas.
Platonic
Ideal love.
Multicultural
Respectful and reciprocal interaction between different cultures in a society.
Multi-Party System
Multiple parties competing for power.
Pharaoh
The political and religious ruler of ancient Egypt.
Pharaonic
Grand and complex.
R
Raja
A wealthy person in India.
Romanize
To spread Roman civilization, laws, customs, and language.
S
Segregation
Separating groups based on race.
Spartan
Hard and severe.
T
Technocracy
Government by technical experts.
Theocracy
Government by religious leaders.
Torque
A metal neck ring worn by the Celts.
Triskelion
A prehistoric decorative symbol with three curved branches.
W
Wizard
A practitioner of magic.
X
Xamán
A shaman.
Sheikh
A Muslim leader or ruler.
Z
Ziggurat
A Mesopotamian stepped pyramid temple.
Czar
Emperor of Russia.
Additional Terms
- Coalition: Alliance
- Discovery: Uncovering
- Dictatorship: Tyranny
- Elections: The process of voting
- Greek/Hellenic: Relating to Greece
- Honor: Privilege
- Unexpected: Surprising
- Questioned: Challenged
- Islamic/Muslim: Relating to Islam
- Israel/Hebrew/Jewish: Relating to Judaism
- Determination: Poll
- Sumptuous: Lavish
- Tight: Narrow
- Vote/Referendum/Suffrage: The act of voting