Society: English Vocabulary List

a system that divides the people of a society into different social classes based on their wealth, privilage, or profession

"The caste system divided society into rigid social classes."

"The caste system in traditional Indian society divided people into rigid social groups based on birth with very limited opportunity to move from one caste to another."

a state of personal instability, isolation, or anxiety caused by a breakdown of social norms or regulation

"There is anomie."

"The rapid changes caused by industrialization created a sense of anomie among workers who felt disconnected from their communities and unsure of their place in society."

the study of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in society

"He teaches civics."

"Civics education helps students understand government."

a resident in a particular place

"He is a denizen."

"The old fisherman was a true denizen of the coastal village, knowing every tide and current."

‌the whole world considered as a small place because of being closely connected by modern communication systems

"We live in a global village."

"The internet turned the world into a global village."

a concept that recognizes how different forms of discrimination and oppression, such as race, gender, and class, interact with each other

"She studies intersectionality."

"Intersectionality examines how race, gender, and class overlap to create unique experiences of discrimination."

the act of defining and labeling individuals or groups as different from oneself or the dominant social group

"Othering can create social divisions quickly"

"The process of othering makes minority groups feel excluded and dehumanized when the majority constantly refers to them as different or foreign."

a person that does not belong to the upper class of the society

"The king spoke kindly with a commoner"

"The commoner spoke bravely against the king’s decision."

a sense of community concern and willingness to contribute to the public good

"Public spirit motivated neighbors to clean up the park."

"His public spirit was evident in the way he volunteered at the homeless shelter every weekend and donated generously to the local library fund."

the collective value of social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other

"Social capital is important."

"Trust and networks create valuable social capital in communities."

the social process by which an individual or group is pushed to the edges of society, limiting their access to resources and influence

"Marginalization affects vulnerable communities deeply"

"The marginalization of minorities remains a serious social problem."

the state of being forced to submit to the authority or control of others

"The novel described political subjugation vividly"

"The subjugation of indigenous peoples lasted for centuries."

a societal system where success is determined by individual skill and ability rather than factors like wealth or social status

"It is a meritocracy."

"In a true meritocracy"

a society where women have primary authority and leadership roles

"The concept of a matriarchy fascinates social anthropologists."

"A matriarchy is a social system in which females hold the primary power positions in roles of political leadership and moral authority for a society."

a social or political system in which multiple racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural groups coexist and are tolerated

"Society needs pluralism."

"Cultural pluralism enriches democratic societies."

the process of arranging people into social classes or ranks

"Social stratification exists."

"Social stratification creates clear class divisions in society."

referring to factors or conditions that involve both social and economic aspects

"Her status is socioeconomic."

"The socioeconomic status of a family affects the quality of education healthcare and housing that they can afford for their children."

the dominance or control exercised by one group, entity, or state over others, especially in the realms of politics, culture, or ideology

"The country achieved hegemony over its neighbors through trade and military might."

"The small country feared the economic hegemony of its much larger and more powerful neighbor."

the belief in and advocacy for the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, social class, or other distinguishing characteristics

"Egalitarianism is the belief that all people should be treated as equals."

"The movement championed egalitarianism, striving for equal opportunities for everyone in society."

the tendency to evaluate and judge other cultures or groups based on the standards and values of one's own, often resulting in a belief in the superiority of one's own culture or group

"Ethnocentrism judges other cultures by your own."

"Ethnocentrism is the biased tendency to view one's own ethnic group as superior and to evaluate all other groups against the standard of one's own cultural norms and values."

the dispersion or scattering of a community or ethnic group from their ancestral or original homeland

"The Jewish diaspora spread across many countries."

"The Jewish diaspora spread Jewish communities across Europe the Middle East and North Africa after ancient exiles."

an unreasonable dislike or prejudice against strangers or people of a different nation

"Xenophobia harms peaceful multicultural societies greatly"

"Xenophobia creates barriers between different communities worldwide."

an imaginary state or location where everything is perfect

"The philosopher imagined a perfect utopia society"

"The community tried but failed to create a perfect utopia."

the belief, in Christian eschatology, that Christ will reign on Earth for a thousand years as described in the Book of Revelation

"Millenarianism expects Christ's reign."

"Millenarianism is the religious or social belief in a coming fundamental transformation of society"

the ordinary people with a common interest who form the foundation of a movement, organization, or political party

"This is a grass roots movement."

"The campaign began as a genuine grass roots effort supported by local communities."

a person with a lower position than someone else

"He felt like an inferior."

"The young recruit quickly understood he was an inferior to the seasoned soldiers."

a social event held with the intention of raising money for a charity or political party

"We attended a fundraiser."

"The charity organized a successful fundraiser for the hospital."

a family or kinship system in which a male serves as the head and lineage is traced through the male line

"The patriarchy gave men more power."

"In a traditional patriarchy, property and family names are passed down through the father's line."