Words Matter

A plain-language glossary for the words that shape public life.

Political Systems & Ideologies

Government structures and political philosophies that shape how power is distributed, who makes decisions, and how authority is justified. These terms are often used loosely. This section pins down their actual meanings and explains how they function in practice.

Cassie 12/6/25 Cassie 12/6/25

Belonging

Belonging is the experience of being accepted and able to participate fully in a community or society. It depends on relationships, representation, and institutional practices that signal who is included.

Cassie 12/6/25 Cassie 12/6/25

Assimilation

Assimilation is the process through which newcomers adopt the cultural norms and behaviors of a dominant society, often reducing aspects of their original identity. It is a one-directional process, unlike integration, which allows reciprocal adaptation. Assimilation can be voluntary or shaped by social and institutional pressures.

Cassie 12/4/25 Cassie 12/4/25

Integration

The long-term process through which newcomers participate in and contribute to the social, economic, and civic life of a community. Integration involves mutual adaptation and is distinct from assimilation.

Cassie 12/4/25 Cassie 12/4/25

Diaspora

A population living outside its homeland that maintains cultural, social, or economic ties to the country of origin. Diasporas are diverse, often spanning multiple generations.

Cassie 12/4/25 Cassie 12/4/25

Community

Community refers to a group of people connected by shared identity, geography, experience, or purpose. The concept emphasizes interdependence and the idea that individuals are part of larger social networks that shape their opportunities, responsibilities, and sense of belonging. Community describes both the relationships people maintain and the collective frameworks that support them.

Cassie 12/2/25 Cassie 12/2/25

Nationalism

The belief that a nation—a group with shared identity, culture, or history—should have political self-determination. It emphasizes loyalty to the nation above other identities. Nationalism can support independence movements, unify societies, or justify exclusion and conflict.