Chapter 25 Political Systems in Today's World

Parliamentary government

Form of government in which executive and legislative functions both reside in an elected assembly or parliament.

Mullah

A specially trained Islamic religious leader.

Nongovernmental organization (NGO)

An international organization composed of individuals and groups outside the scope of government.

Intergovernmental organization (IGO)

An international organization composed of members of a national governments.

Supranational organization

An organization whose authority overrides the sovereignty of its individual members.

Human rights

Fundamental freedoms

Nuclear proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons.

Terrorism

The use of violence by nongovernmental groups against civilians to achieve a political goal.

Shah

A king

Sanction

A measure, such as withholding economic aid, intended to influence a foreign government's activities.

Consolidated democracy

A nation that has democratic elections, political parties, constitutional government an independent judiciary, and usually a market economy.

Muslim

A follower of the religion of Islam.

Presidential government

A form of government in which a president heads the executive branch.

Apartheid

Strict segregation of the races.

State-sponsored terrorism

Terrorism that is secretly supported by a government.