Terms & thoughts – What does that actually mean?

Introduction:

‘Terms & Thoughts’ is a collection of words, concepts and technical terms that we encounter in everyday life, in politics, in business, in science and in astronomy. Many of them are used as a matter of course, although hardly anyone really explains them.

Here you will find short, clear and understandable explanations – written from my perspective, based on my experience, my Viennese charm and my philosophy of life.

I believe that thinking is not a luxury, but a tool. And those who understand terms also understand the world a little better.

This page will grow over time. Whenever I come across a word that needs explaining, it ends up here. Maybe it will help you, maybe it will make you think – and maybe at some point you’ll say to yourself: ‘Aha, so that’s another way of looking at it.’

Alphabetical subheadings by topic

A. Politics & Society – Terms & brief explanations

Authoritarianism

A form of government in which political power is highly concentrated. The government tolerates little opposition, controls the media and the judiciary, but allows limited personal freedoms. Stability and order take precedence over political participation.

Democracy

A form of government in which power emanates from the people. Elections are free, fair and regular. Separation of powers, freedom of expression and the rule of law are central elements.

Dictatorship

A form of government in which one person or a small group holds all the power. Opposition is suppressed, the media is controlled, and elections are manipulated or abolished. Rights and freedoms are severely restricted.

One-party state

A political system in which only one party is allowed. This party controls the government, administration, media and judiciary. Opposition is prohibited or severely persecuted.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is shared between a central government and regional units (e.g. federal states). Both levels have their own responsibilities and rights.

Ideology

A closed system of ideas, values and beliefs that explains how society should function. Ideologies can be political, religious or social in nature.

Monarchy

A form of government in which a king, emperor or prince is the head of state. Power can be absolute (unrestricted) or constitutional (limited by a constitution).

Oligarchy

A form of government in which a small group of people – usually economically or politically powerful – make the decisions. Democratic control is weak or non-existent.

Opposition

The political forces that are not involved in the government. Their task is to monitor, criticise and offer alternative solutions.

Parliamentarism

A system in which parliament holds the central political power. The government is elected by parliament and can be dismissed by it.

Pluralism

A society in which different opinions, interests, cultures and ways of life are allowed to coexist. Diversity is seen as a strength.

Populism

A political strategy that claims to speak ‘for the people’ against ‘the elite’. Populists simplify complex issues and often use emotional messages.

Rule of law

A state in which laws apply to everyone – including the government. Courts are independent and citizens have guaranteed rights.

Republic

A form of government in which the head of state is elected (e.g. president). Power lies not with a hereditary monarchy, but with elected representatives.

Sovereignty

The highest decision-making power of a state over its own territory and affairs. No other state may interfere.

Totalitarianism

The most extreme form of dictatorship. The state controls all areas of life: politics, the economy, the media, culture, education and often even private life. An all-encompassing ideology is mandatory.

Constitution

The fundamental set of rules of a state. It defines how power is distributed, what rights citizens have and how the state functions.

Civil society

The area between the state and private life: associations, NGOs, initiatives, citizen groups. They represent interests, control power and strengthen democratic culture.

B. Economy – Terms & brief explanations

A stake in a company. Anyone who owns a share is a co-owner and can benefit from profits (dividends) or price increases.

Supply & demand

The basic principle of the market economy. When many people want something (high demand) and there is little of it available (low supply), the price rises – and vice versa.

Labour market

The area where workers and employers meet. This is where it is decided who finds work, how much they are paid and how high the level of employment is.

Gross domestic product (GDP)

The total value of all goods and services produced by a country in a year. It shows how strong or weak an economy is.

Deflation

The opposite of inflation. Prices fall permanently – sounds good, but is dangerous because companies earn less and investments are not made.

Deregulation

The removal of government rules and regulations to make markets ‘freer’. Can promote innovation, but also increase risks.

Inflation

A general increase in prices over a longer period of time. Money loses its purchasing power – you can buy less for the same amount.

Capital

Assets that are used to create more assets. This can be money, machinery, buildings or knowledge.

Economic cycle

The economic ‘cycle’ of a country. It consists of upturn, boom, downturn and crisis.

Market

The place (real or digital) where buyers and sellers meet. This is where prices are set and goods or services are exchanged.

Monopoly

A market in which there is only one supplier. This supplier can determine prices and conditions almost freely.

Oligopoly

A market dominated by a few large companies. They have a strong influence on prices and competition.

Recession

A phase in which the economy shrinks. Companies earn less, unemployment rises and investment falls.

Subsidy

Money or support from the state to promote certain industries, products or projects. Example: agriculture, renewable energy.

Tariff

A fixed price or fee – often in connection with wages (collective agreements) or customs duties.

Turnover

The total value of all sales made by a company in a given period. Not to be confused with profit.

Competition

The economic battle between companies for customers, prices and market share. It is intended to promote innovation and keep prices low.

Economic growth

The increase in a country’s economic performance – usually measured by GDP. Growth means more production, more income and often more prosperity.

C. Astronomy & Physics – Terms & Brief Explanations

Asteroid

A small, rocky celestial body that orbits the Sun. Larger than meteoroids, smaller than planets. Many are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Atmosphere

The gaseous envelope of a planet or moon. It protects against radiation, regulates temperature and enables life on Earth.

Dark energy

An invisible form of energy that permeates space and accelerates the expansion of the universe. We know that it exists – but not what it is.

Dark matter

An invisible form of matter that does not emit radiation and therefore cannot be observed directly. Its existence can only be detected through its gravitational pull. It accounts for most of the mass in the universe.

Galaxy

A vast system of billions of stars, planets, gas and dark matter. Our home galaxy is called the Milky Way.

Gravity

The force of attraction between masses. It keeps planets in their orbits, forms stars and determines the structure of the universe.

Light year

A unit of distance. A light year is the distance travelled by light in one year – approximately 9.46 trillion kilometres.

Neutron star

The extremely dense remnant of an exploded star. A teaspoon of this matter would weigh billions of tonnes.

Planet

A celestial body that orbits a star, is round and has cleared its orbit. Earth is one of eight planets in our solar system.

Quantum fluctuation

Short-term, spontaneous changes in the energy state of ‘empty’ space. They arise from the laws of quantum physics and may even have influenced the origin of the universe.

Space-time

The combination of space and time into a single four-dimensional structure. Mass and energy curve space-time – we experience this as gravity.

Black hole

An object with such strong gravity that nothing can escape it – not even light. Usually formed from the collapse of a very massive star.

Star

A huge, luminous ball of gas that generates energy through nuclear fusion. Our sun is an average star.

Supernova

The violent explosion of a star at the end of its life. This process produces heavy elements such as gold and iron – the building blocks of our bodies.

Universe

The totality of space, time, matter and energy. Everything that exists – from the smallest particles to the largest galaxy clusters.

White dwarf

The burnt-out remnant of a star like our Sun. Small, extremely dense and slowly cooling – a ‘star corpse’.

D. Philosophy & Thinking – Terms & Brief Explanations

Consciousness

The ability to perceive oneself and the world. It encompasses thoughts, feelings, memories and knowledge of one’s own ‘self’.

Ethics

The doctrine of morally correct behaviour. It asks: What should we do? What is good, what is bad – and why?

Knowledge

What we understand or know. Knowledge comes from experience, thinking, observation and learning.

Existence

The mere ‘being there’ of a person or thing. Philosophy asks: What does it mean to exist?

Freedom

The ability to make decisions for oneself. Philosophically, freedom encompasses not only external conditions, but also inner independence.

Mind

The non-material part of a person: thinking, feeling, imagining, consciousness. In many traditions, the mind is what elevates humans above the purely physical.

Identity

The question: Who am I? It encompasses personality, experiences, values, memories and self-image.

Logic

The study of correct thinking. It examines how conclusions work and when arguments are valid.

Morality

The totality of rules, values and norms that a society or a person considers to be right. Ethics asks why these rules apply, morality describes that they apply.

Reality

That which actually exists – regardless of how we perceive it. Philosophers debate whether reality is objective, subjective or both.

Meaning

The significance or purpose of something. People ask about the meaning of life, suffering, actions or the world.

Truth

That which corresponds to reality. Philosophy asks: How do we recognise truth? Is there absolute truth or only perspectives?

Time

The sequence of moments in which events take place. Physically measurable, philosophically a mystery: Is time real, relative or just a construct of our consciousness?

Explanation: What does ‘Terms & Thoughts’ mean?

‘Terms & Thoughts’ is more than a glossary. It is an invitation to not simply accept the world, but to understand it.
A term is a word that describes something. A thought is what happens when you question that word.
A term explains the world. A thought opens it up.
And that is precisely the essence of this page: terms provide orientation – thoughts provide depth.