8.1.2 Concepts and Terms

using intentional action to bring about social or political change

Activism is usually centred on some controversial issue and can include political demonstrations and rallies, letter-writing campaigns, strikes, consumer boycotts, and (less frequently)  violent action including vandalism and sabotage.

an anti-capitalist social movement that supports the interconnectedness of people through globalization but puts the values of democracy, justice, human rights, and the environment ahead of economic concerns

a social, political, environmental, and economic movement by those who object to certain aspects of globalization

Although participants in this movement have various perspectives, they are united in opposition to large corporations and nations that they believe use economic and political power to exploit the poor at home and in the developing world, damage the environment, and/or threaten individual and collective culture and national sovereignty.

the political rights and responsibilities of an individual to his or her society

In a democratic society, this means participating in decision-making with the goal of creating a better world.

action intended to lead to a change in the behaviour of a corporation

Consumer activism can include boycotts, strikes, demonstrations at retail outlets and factories, letter writing to the media and shareholders, Internet protests, and choosing to purchase goods from producers and retailers with more appropriate practices. For example, people have protested at the GAP clothing store chain because of the use of sweatshops. Others have written to Starbucks shareholders to protest the poor working conditions of coffee farmers and unsustainable agricultural practices.

the idea that organizations, including transnational corporations, have a duty to consider the interests of customers, shareholders, employees, the communities in which they produce and sell their products, and the environment in all aspects of their operations

This responsibility may not be prescribed in law.

people who have been forced to leave their native place of residence

Those displaced people who cross international borders are considered refugees, and those who have to leave their homes due to violence or persecution are called internally displaced persons. Those who leave due to economic hardship are called economic migrants

disagreement, sometimes expressed through action

concerns about perceptions of masculinity or femininity

Although gender is biological, responses to it are cultural because certain roles are considered male or female in certain cultures. One sex (usually women) not having the same rights under the law can limit individual choices and oppose universal human rights.

In addition, gender issues refer to discrimination based on sexual orientation, including homosexuality.

a series of four international conventions that establish humanitarian practice, especially in regard to the treatment of soldiers in wartime and prisoners of war

individual rights and responsibilities to the global society, or participating in that society with the goal of producing a better world

This definition assumes citizenship to be the political rights and responsibilities of an individual to his or her society.

the rights to which every human being is entitled, regardless of gender, nationality, religion, or ethnicity, based on the idea of inherent human worth and dignity

These rights are defined by national and international law, but they are a matter of dispute in many nations.

an international court established in 2002 as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression

The court can prosecute only crimes committed on or after July 1, 2002, the date of its founding treaty.

One hundred four countries are members of the court; however, several countries including the United States, China, and India oppose it.

the main judicial organ of the United Nations

The main functions of the World Court are to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advice on legal questions. It has become increasingly popular with developing nations. However, the United State withdrew from compulsory jurisdiction in 1986 and will accept the court's powers only on a case-to-case basis.

combatant imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict

a measure of how good one's life is, including standard of living and other, more difficult to measure aspects of well-being such as health, happiness, human rights and freedoms, environmental well-being, and creativity

a person who leaves his or her home or country to find safety, especially in times of war or oppression

the moral, legal, or social force that binds individuals to their obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force

legal claims to something or some aspect of life, including the powers and privileges of citizenship

the existing state of affairs; how things are