Glossary

Authoritarianism:

A political system in which a government is ruled by a dictatorship that enforces decisions using force and represses individual rights.

Capitalism:

An economic philosophy based on private ownership of goods and competition, in which producers and consumers make decisions with little government control.

Cold War:

Period of tension after World War II between the United States and supporters of democracy, and the Soviet Union and supporters of communism.

Communism:

A socioeconomic system in which private property and social classes are absent, and goods are shared within a community instead of privately-owned.

Democracy:

A form of government in which the people, either directly or indirectly, take part in governing.