9th Class Social Science Democracy in the Contemporary World Important Terms and Concepts - Democracy in the Contemporary World

DEMOCRACY IN THE CONTEMPORARY

       IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS

1. Democracy.  A form of government which is chosen by the people to work for their welfare and can be voted out by them.

2. Dictatorship.  It is a form of government in which a person or a group of persons possess absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.

3. Solidarity.  A trade union movement founded by Lech Walesa which helped to end communist rule in Poland.

4. Decolonisation.  The process of transfer of power from the colonial powers to independent national governments in Asia and Africa.

5. United Nations Organisation. An organisation founded in 1945 that includes most countries in the world and serves as an international forum to settle international disputes.

6. Veto.  The special right to override the decision of the Security Council enjoyed by die five permanent members of the Security Council of United Nations.

7. Constitutional Monarchy. A government headed by a king or queen whose powers are limited by a constitution.

8. Revolution.  The term means a recognised momentous change in the situation. A revolution can result in the sudden overthrow of an established government or system by force and bloodshed, e.g., the French Revolution.

9. World Trade Organisation. It was set up in 1995 by members of the United Nations to promote trade between countries.

10. Trade Union. An association of workers for the purpose of maintaining or improving their working conditions.

11. Strike.  Mass refusal by workers or employees to perform work due to certain yievances or because demands are not being met.

12. Referendum.  A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to accept or reject a particular proposal. This is also called as Plebiscite.

13. Political Prisoners. Persons imprisoned or detained or kept under house arrest, because the government considers their ideas and activities a threat to its authority.

14. Coup.  The sudden overthrow of a government which may or may not be violent in nature.

15. Coalition.  An alliance of people, associations parties or nations which may be temporary or a matter of convenience.

16. Censorship.  A condition under which the freedom of expression is taken away. Anything that the government finds objectionable cannot be published.