List of Key Terms
Ethics
Ethics constitutes a reflection on morality that seeks to analyze, criticize, and interpret rules, roles, and relations within society.
Learn MoreAutocracy vs. democracy
In short, governing power in an autocracy is concentrated around one individual whereas democracies grant governing authority to the people or to governing officials through free elections.
Learn MoreCultural relativism
Cultural relativism is the view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context from which they are derived.
Learn MoreIntergenerational justice
Intergenerational justice concerns the moral responsibilities shared among different generations. Theories of intergenerational justice analyze the scope of these obligations.
Learn MoreDemocratic backsliding
Democratic backsliding, a phenomenon sometimes characterized as an “erosion,” is the process of declining integrity for democratic values or institutions in a political system.
Learn MoreJust war
Just war is warfare that is justified by a moral or legal tradition. Just war theory presumes that there are legitimate uses of war but also sets moral boundaries on the waging of war.
Learn MoreHuman rights
Human rights are moral and legal norms covering the freedoms and protections that all individuals are entitled to by virtue of their humanity.
Learn MoreHumanitarian law
Humanitarian law is a set of principles and treaties outlining the conduct of nations engaged in warfare that aim to protect combatants and civilians affected by conflicts.
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