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 12/4/25 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

Repatriation

Repatriation is returning a person to their country of origin. It can be voluntary, involuntary, or part of a humanitarian process. For refugees, voluntary repatriation is only appropriate when conditions allow safe and dignified return.

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

Voluntary Return

When a migrant or asylum seeker chooses to return to their home country with support from authorities or organizations. It differs from deportation because consent is required, though choices may be shaped by limited options.

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

Remigration

Remigration refers to returning to one’s country of origin after living abroad, either voluntarily or involuntarily. It can involve personal choice, government-supported return programs, or removal decisions. In political discourse, the term is sometimes used as a slogan for mass return of certain groups, which differs from its literal meaning.

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

Migrant

A migrant is a person who moves to another place—within a country or across borders—usually for work, education, family, or opportunity. Migration is voluntary and does not imply legal status. Migrant is a broad term and should not be conflated with refugee or undocumented.