Social Change Vocabulary

noun a philosophical approach that views history as a series of conflicts and contradictions leading to social change

• The study of history through the lens of dialectical materialism allows us to understand societal changes.
• Learning about dialectical materialism helps us see how society evolves over time.
• Diving into dialectical materialism is like seeing the matrix of history unfold.
• Just as a blacksmith shapes metal, dialectical materialism shapes our understanding of society.

noun ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization's membership

• The organization started as a grass roots movement and has since grown into a global network.
• The idea for the community garden came from a grass roots effort by local residents.
• The band got its start playing in grass roots venues before making it big.
• The candidate's support among grass roots voters helped propel them to victory in the election.

noun a group of people who try to influence public policy or decisions by exerting pressure on elected officials or government agencies

• The pressure group submitted a petition to the government requesting policy changes.
• The pressure group is organizing a protest against the new development project.
• The pressure group is really pushing for environmental regulations to be enforced.
• In the political arena, the pressure group is like a watchdog, keeping a close eye on government decisions.

noun the act or process of reforming or making changes to improve something, especially a social, political, or religious institution

• The reformation of the education system was a long and challenging process.
• The reformation of the company policies made everyone happy.
• The reformation of the party was lit!
• The reformation of her mindset led to a whole new way of thinking.

noun a person who advocates or takes part in a revolution

adjective related to or characteristic of a revolutionist

• The revolutionist believed in overthrowing the government to create a more just society.
• The revolutionist was always talking about changing the system.
• That revolutionist is a real firecracker, always stirring things up.
• She was a revolutionist in the world of fashion, always pushing boundaries and challenging norms.

noun the pointed head or striking tip of a spear

verb to lead or initiate an activity or organization

• The company appointed a new executive to spearhead the marketing campaign.
• They chose Sarah to spearhead the project because of her leadership skills.
• John is going to spearhead the party planning for next weekend.
• The artist used vibrant colors to spearhead the painting, creating a focal point for the viewers.

noun a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty

• The country is currently in a state of political turmoil.
• There's been a lot of turmoil in the office lately.
• Things are really in turmoil right now.
• Emotions were in turmoil as she struggled to make a decision.

adjective not reformed or converted, obstinate or unrepentant

• The unregenerate behavior of the criminal led to his arrest.
• He's just an unregenerate troublemaker, always causing problems.
• That guy is totally unregenerate, he never learns his lesson.
• Her unregenerate attitude towards change hindered her personal growth.

noun a subgenre of speculative fiction that is characterized by a focus on optimism, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity

• The concept of hopepunk focuses on actively choosing hope in the face of despair.
• I love reading hopepunk stories because they always leave me feeling inspired.
• Hopepunk is like the ultimate vibe for staying positive no matter what.
• Her attitude towards life can be described as hopepunk, always looking for the silver lining.

noun the belief or theory that a society or institution is in decline

• Declinism is a theory that suggests societies are in a state of decline.
• Some people have a pessimistic view of the future, known as declinism.
• I'm tired of all this declinism talk, let's focus on the positives.
• His declinism attitude towards his career held him back from reaching his full potential.

noun a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals

• The sociologist Durkheim used the term 'anomie' to describe a state of normlessness or lack of social cohesion.
• When people feel lost and disconnected from society, they may experience anomie.
• Anomie can make you feel like you're in a funk with no direction.
• In the fast-paced city life, it's easy to get caught up in the anomie of constantly striving for more.

noun a gender-neutral term used to refer to a niece or nephew

• The term 'nibling' is used to refer to a niece or nephew.
• I love spending time with my niblings - they always bring so much joy!
• My niblings are the coolest kids on the block.
• The bond between a nibling and their aunt or uncle is truly special.

noun a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery

• The abolitionist movement aimed to end slavery in the United States.
• My great-great-grandfather was an abolitionist who fought for the freedom of all people.
• That abolitionist really knew how to stir things up and make a difference.
• She was an abolitionist of negativity, always striving to eliminate toxic influences from her life.