Arab Member of a semitic people inhabiting originally Saudi Arabia, North Africa and the Middle East.

BC Abbreviation meaning before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Capitalist A person who owns property and/or capital and is involved in trade or industry for his/her own personal profit.

Civilisation An advanced stage or system of human social and economic development. The process of achieving this. Can also refer to a civilised nation or region.

Cold War The conflict between two groups, loosely categorised as the anti-communist West, led by the United States and its allies and the pro-communist East, led by the Soviet Union and its allies.

Colonialism System in which a state claims sovereignty over territory and people outside its own boundaries, often to facilitate economic domination over their resources, labour and markets.

Colonisation Takeover by a militarily strong country, of another area, which then becomes known as a colony.

Communism Political theory advocating a society in which all property and industries are publicly owned and the state provides everyone with their basic needs. There is no profit or incentive for any individual.

Coup d’etat Sudden and decisive change of government, illegally or by force. Overthrow of a government by force.

Democracy Form of government in which all the citizens of a state, either directly or indirectly, take part in the governing process.

Empire An extensive group of colonised countries under a single authority. eg. the British empire.

Expansionist Policy A policy of expanding by acquiring other states.

Fascism Refers to the authoritarian political movement which ruled Italy from 1924 to 1943 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. Fascism of late refers to any system of government resembling Mussolini's, which exalts nation, and often race, above individual rights and uses violence and modern techniques of propaganda and censorship to forcibly suppress political opposition. It also engages in severe economic and social imposition of order and discipline.

Federation State comprised of a number of self-governing regions (often themselves referred to as states) united by a central (federal) government. In a federation the self-governing status of the component states is constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision of the central government.

Great Depression The collapse of economic institutions following the crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929. This led to a period of extreme economic hardship, known as the Great Depression.

Imperialism Policy of acquiring independent states and bringing them under control. Also implies extension of a country's territorial possessions and increasing its influence through trade, diplomacy etc.

Industrialisation Process of social and economic change whereby a society is transformed from a subsistence-type economy where markets are unimportant, to one in which there are industries and a net of markets to dispose of goods and services. This social and economic change is closely linked to technological innovation, particularly the development of large-scale energy production.

Liberalism Political orientation that favours progress, meaningful change and reform.

Migrate Move from one country or region to another.

Pan-Africanism Movement started for the most part by black American scholars and civil rights leaders. Advocated stopping the slave trade in Africa, the end of colonial rule and the progress and well-being of Africans in Africa.

Per Capita Per individual person. Often used to refer to the amount produced by each person per year. In order for the per capita growth rate to increase, the amount produced in the country needs to increase by more than population growth.

Refugee Person who is outside his/her country of nationality. Usually refers to someone who has been forced to leave his/her country of origin to escape war or persecution because of his/her race, religion, etc.

Socialism Political or economic theory of social organisation which advocates that the community as a whole should control the means of production, distribution and exchange. In the economic sense, is synonymous with Communism.

Totalitarian Characterised by a government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralised control.

Ubuntu Is a South African ethic or ideology focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other. Refers to a spirit of compassion and fellowship; to help others if they are in need. The word comes from Zulu and Xhosa languages.

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