European Thesaurus on International Relations and Area Studies / GIGA Informationszentrum

S - General descriptors

S.01 - System top

S.01.01 - System, general

Coherence
Cohesion
Compatibility/incompatibility
Complex systems
Correlation
Disintegration
External factors
Flexibility
Functions
Importance/role
Integration
Integration effects
Interdependence
Internal factors
Models/model cases
Subsystems
Systems
Systems analysis
Systems of value
Systems theory

S.01.02 - Structure

Asymmetry
Balance
Centralization
Centre
Contradiction
Contrasts
Decentralization
Hierarchy
Imbalance
Instability
Interdependence
Order of precedence
Periphery
Polarization
Relation(s)
Stability
Structural factors
Structure
Symmetry

S.01.03 - Sphere

Binational
Civilian
Domestic/internal
Foreign
Global
Governmental
International
Local
Military aspects
Multinational
National
Non-public
Nongovernment
Public
Regional
Semigovernmental
Sphere of influence/range of action
Supranational
Territorial extent of authority
Transnational
Underground

S.01.04 - Autonomy

Autonomy
Dependence
Freedom
Identity
Independence
Interests
Liberalization
Liberation
Selfadministration

S.01.05 - Conflict

Causes of conflicts
Coexistence
Conflict
Conflict behaviour
Conflict constellation
Conflict control
Conflict management
Conflict of goals
Conflict potential
Conflict prevention
Conflict resolution
Conflict settlement
Conflict theory
Controversy
Convergence/divergence
Course of conflicts
Crisis
Crisis areas
Crisis behaviour
Crisis management
Crisis prevention
De-escalation of conflicts
Determining factors of conflicts
Distribution conflicts
Domestic political conflicts
Efforts to settle conflicts
Escalation of conflicts
Ethnic conflicts
Generational relations
Intensity of conflicts
Intercultural conflicts
International conflicts
Labour disputes
Mediation/conciliation
Parties to conflicts/conflict participants
Post-conflict phase
Pre-conflict phase
Resource conflicts
Social conflicts
Solution of problems
Termination of conflicts
Theory versus practice issues
Water conflicts

S.02 - Development top

S.02.01 - Development, general

Causes
Change
Continuity
Determinants
Development
Development phases
Dynamics
Effects/consequences
Faulty developments
Generations
Interrelations
Modernization
Modifications
Normalization
Obstacles to development
Problems
Process
Progress
Reaction
Reform proposals
Reforms
Risks
Safety measures
Security risks
Stagnation
Structural adjustment
Transition phase

S.02.02 - Development in the past/Present situation

Historical surveys
Present situation
Previous development
Situation assessment
Starting position
Tradition

S.02.03 - Future/Development perspectives

Adaptation
Adaptation strategies
Alternatives
Development perspectives and tendencies
Expectations
Follow-up problems
Forecast procedures
Forecasts
Future
Futurology
Innovation
Misjudgements/misperceptions
Models (theoretical)
Models of development
Objectives/targets
Possibilities/alternatives for development
Problems of succession (personnel)
Programs
Reorientation
Retro-oriented development
Scenario
Strategy
Utopianism

S.03 - Planning/Plans top

Central planning
Coordination of plans
Decentralized planning
Development planning
Development plans
Execution of plans
Framework planning
Fulfilment of plans
Long-term planning/plans
Medium-term planning/plans
Planning
Planning agencies
Planning methods
Planning offices
Planning process
Planning time scales
Plans
Regional development/planning
Short-term planning/plans
Special plan

S.04 - Decision making process/Decision top

S.04.01 - Analysis/Evaluation

Analysis
Assessment/appraisal
Comparison
Consequences/conclusions
Criteria
Criticism
Differences
Error estimation/ratio of errors
Evaluation
Evaluation problems
Exemplary cases
Impact assessment
Indicators
Intelligence (information)
Methods of assessment
Misjudgements/misperceptions
Models/model cases
Reevaluation/reinterpretation
Risk assessment
Situation assessment
Strategy

S.04.02 - Decision making process

Compromise
Concepts
Conflict of goals
Consent
Debates
Decision-making powers
Decision-making processes
Dissent
Doctrines
Draft resolutions
Linkage
Objectives/targets
Programs
Proposals/initiatives
Reform proposals
Ultimatum

S.04.03 - Consultancy

Advisers
Advisory institutions/bodies
Advisory services
Committees of experts
Consultancy
Consultancy firms
External consultation system
Financial consultancy
Foreign policy consultancy
Management consultancy
Political consultancy

S.04.04 - Negotiations

Adjournment or suspension of negotiations
Course of negotiations
Duration of negotiations and sessions
Methods of negotiation
Negotiating mandate
Negotiating position
Negotiating strategies
Negotiation aims
Negotiations
Preparation of negotiations
Procedural issues in negotiations
Results of negotiations
Subjects of negotiations

S.04.05 - Resolution and election procedures

Decision-making procedures
Election of individuals
Elections/voting
Majority principle
Quorum
Referenda on subject issues
Right to vote
Unanimity principle
Veto
Voting criteria
Voting procedures

S.04.06 - Resolutions/Decisions

Basic decisions
Contracts
Minority votes
Resignation
Resolutions/decisions
Understandings
Voting results

S.05 - Projects top

Action programmes/action plans
Development projects
Execution of projects
Expert opinions
Experts
Feasibility studies
Follow-up contacts
Foreign and development aid projects
Implementation
Pilot projects
Preparation of projects
Procedures for project approval
Project evaluation
Project management
Project results
Projects
Promotion/support
Reconstruction
Recovery/redevelopment
Research projects

S.06 - Management top

S.06.01 - Management, general

Administration
Bodies responsible for measures
Cadres
Competence (powers)
Control/regulation
Cooperation
Coordination
Definition of tasks
Guidelines/regulations
Harmonization
Hierarchy
Integration
Leadership
Management (functional)
Management information systems
Management techniques
Networks (institutional/social)
Organization/reorganization
Priorities
Responsibility
Senior executives
Staffing plan
Work programmes

S.06.02 - Instruments/Procedures

Countermeasures
Instruments (procedures)
Measures
Methods
Practice
Procedures
Promotion/support
Quota regulations
Selection procedures
Sphere of influence/range of action

S.06.03 - Utilization/Profitability

Allocations
Benefit
Capacity
Cost-benefit relationship
Costs/expenditure
Damage
Deficits
Efficiency/Efficacy
Elasticity
Expenses
Growth rates
Increase/expansion
Intensity
Mobility
Need
Performance/capability
Potential
Productivity
Profitability
Reduction/decline
Relations between means and ends
Returns
Shortages
Substitution
Utilization/degree of use

S.06.04 - Control

Control procedures
Control/supervision
Divided power
Error estimation/ratio of errors
Errors/faults
Measurement/measurement systems
Methods of measurement
Monitoring
On site inspections (verification)
Quality controls
Rationality

S.06.05 - Performance

Achievement principle
Contributions (output)
Creativity
Discipline
Honours/awards
Incentives
Minimum standard
Motivation
Performance data
Performance measurement
Performance/capability
Qualifications
Results/outcomes
Work discipline

S.07 - Relations top

Bilateral
Burden sharing
Coherence
Cohesion
Correlation
Dependence
Disengagement
Group formation
Hierarchy
Independence
Interdependence
Interrelations
Loyalty
Marginalization
Multilateral
Partnership
Relationship
Trust

S.08 - Institutions top

S.08.01 - Institutions, general

Aims and programmes of institutions/organizations
Capability of institutions/organizations
Competence (powers)
Conflict resolution capacity of institutions/organizations
Dissolution of institutions/organizations
Founding of institutions/organizations
Freedom of association
Guidance capacity of institutions/organizations
Institution building
Institutional conflicts
Institutionalization
Institutions
Legal forms
Legal status
Organization principles of institutions/organizations
Problem solving capacity of institutions/organizations
Scope of action of institutions/organizations
Special field/field of work
Statutes/bylaws of institutions

S.08.02 - Institutions, functional

Advisory institutions/bodies
Appointment, reshuffle or dismissal of personnel
Associate members
Association officials
Boards of executive directors
Bodies within an association
Chief executive officers
Collegial bodies
Commissions of inquiry
Commissions/committees
Committees of experts
Composition of panels
Consultative assemblies
Degree of affiliation
Elected representatives
Employee representation
Executive management
Expulsion of members
Foundations (legal form)
Full members
General assemblies/members meetings
Informal cooperation
Institutions operating under public law
Internal democracy in parties/associations
Internal organization of institutions/organizations
Internal subunits of institutions
Managing and coordinating bodies
Membership
Nongovernmental organizations
Observer status
Planning agencies
Planning offices
Problems of succession (personnel)
Regional offices
Relations between groups/institutions
Representations abroad
Resignation
Seat/headquarters
Sessions (period)
Specialists associations
Supervisory and control bodies/institutions
Voluntary organizations
Working groups

S.08.03 - International institutions

Assemblies of international organizations
Committees of assemblies of international organizations
Committees of councils of international organizations
Communities of states with supranational competence
Councils of international organizations
Departments of international executive bodies
Diplomatic missions
Executive bodies of international organizations
Intergovernmental commissions
International administrative bodies
International arbitration courts
International bodies
International consultative bodies
International governmental organizations
International management and coordination bodies
International nongovernmental organizations
International organizations
International supervisory and control bodies
International working groups
Judicial bodies of international organizations
Organs of international organizations
Regional international organizations

S.08.04 - National political institutions

Audit offices
Development institutions
Financial/fiscal administration
Foreign intelligence services
Foreign ministries
Government agencies (other than ministries)
Government institutions
Highest state institutions
Interministerial committees
Mayors/local council chairmen
Ministries
Ministries of agriculture
Ministries of cultural affairs
Ministries of defence
Ministries of economic affairs
Ministries of education
Ministries of environmental affairs
Ministries of finance
Ministries of foreign trade
Ministries of health
Ministries of industry
Ministries of justice
Ministries of labour/social affairs
Ministries of science/research
Ministries of the interior
Ministries of transport
Municipal councils/local councils
Offices of heads of government
Offices of the president
Parliamentary ad hoc committees
Parliamentary committees
Parliamentary groups
Parliamentary investigation committees
Parliamentary research services
Parliamentary subcommittees
Parliaments
Planning agencies
Political institutions
Political parties
Press and information agencies/ministries
Public health administration
Regional parliaments
Secret police
State institutions
State security agencies

S.08.05 - Military institutions

Central military agencies
Defence colleges
Military command agencies
Military courts
Military education/training establishments
Military headquarters
Military institutions
Military intelligence services
Military units
Ministries of defence
Officers schools (armed services)

S.08.06 - Scientific institutions

Academic and research units
Academic and research units of international organizations
Academies of sciences/learned societies
Contract research institutes
Corporate research units
Foreign policy research institutions
Institutions funding research
International academic and research units
International scientific organizations/associations
Large scale research centres
Private academic and research units
Public academic and research units
Research departments
Research groups
Research institutes
Scientific and research associations
Scientific/academic bodies
Semipublic academic and research units
University departments/faculties
University institutes
University research units

S.08.07 - Cultural institutions

Archives
Central libraries
Cultural institutes
Cultural institutions
Depository libraries
Foreign cultural institutes
Foreign cultural organization (foreign cultural policy)
Libraries
Museums
National and state archives
National and state libraries
Private collections
Public libraries
Research libraries
School libraries
Special libraries
Specialized information centres
Theatre
University libraries

S.08.08 - Societal institutions

Citizens action initiatives
Clubs
Confederations
Ecclesiastical institutions
Environmental organizations
Foreign cultural associations
Human rights organizations
Interest groups
International associations
Political associations/groupings
Relief organizations
Religious associations
Religious institutions
Religious systems and groups
Secret societies
Social welfare organizations
Societal associations
Societal institutions
Sports associations
Student organizations
Trade unions
Women's organizations
Youth organizations

S.08.09 - Economic institutions/Enterprises

Banks
Central banks
Chambers of commerce abroad
Chambers of commerce and industry
Company branch offices
Competition regulation agencies
Confederations
Confederations of industries/trades
Cooperatives
Customs and excise administration
Development banks
Economic institutions
Employers associations
Energy supply companies
Enterprises
Financial institutions
Foreign and development aid agencies
Foreign enterprises
Foreign trade organizations
Groups of companies
Handicraft enterprises
Holding companies
Industrial enterprises
Insurance companies
International development banks
Investment institutions
Multinational enterprises
National development banks
Professional associations
Public enterprises
Specialists associations
Stock exchanges
Subsidiaries
Trade unions
Trade unions by trade
Trading companies
Umbrella organizations/national confederations

S.08.10 - Institutions of jurisdiction/Judiciary

Administrative tribunals
Arbitration courts/arbitrating bodies
Civil courts
Constitutional courts
Courts of appeal
Courts of cassation
Courts of justice
Criminal courts
Human rights courts
International criminal tribunals
International law courts
Military courts
Regional international courts
Special courts
Supreme courts

S.08.11 - Educational institutions

Adult education establishments
Defence colleges
Educational and training establishments
Further professional/vocational training establishments
General schools
International schools
Language schools
Military education/training establishments
Officers schools (armed services)
Pre-schools/kindergartens
Primary schools
Private education establishments
Professional/vocational schools (sandwich courses)
Public education establishments
Schools
Schools abroad
Secondary schools
Special schools
Universities
University departments/faculties
University institutes
University research units
Vocational schools
Vocational training enterprises
Vocational training establishments

S.08.12 - Institutions of the mass media

Advertising agencies
Broadcasting corporation governing bodies
Broadcasting corporations
Commercial broadcasting corporations
Editorial boards/departments
Mass media institutions
News agencies
Public broadcasting corporations
Publishing houses/industry

S.09 - Natural catastrophes/Technical accidents top

Accidents
Catastrophes
Cyclones
Drought
Earthquakes
Ecological catastrophes
Events (non-organized)
Fire
Flooding
GCA (nuclear technology)
Natural catastrophes
Natural occurrences
Nuclear incidents/accidents
Reactor incidents/accidents
Storms
Technical catastrophes/accidents
Tidal waves
Traffic accidents
Volcanic eruptions

S.10 - Events (organised) top

Academic and research conferences/meetings
Agenda
Anniversaries
Arms control conferences
By-elections
Church conventions
Commemoration days
Committee meetings
Conference programmes
Conferences/meetings
Cultural events
Discussion meetings
Economic conferences
Elections/voting
Events (organized)
Exhibitions
Festivals
Foreign ministers meetings
Human rights conferences
International aid conferences
International conferences of ministers
International economic conferences
International environmental conferences
International governmental conferences
International law conferences
International meetings/visits
International nongovernmental conferences
International security conferences
Lessons/classes
Local elections
National elections
Participants in organized events
Party congresses/conferences
Party meetings
Peace conferences
Public meetings
Regional elections
Sessions (period)
Specialists conferences
Sporting events
Summit conferences/meetings

S.11 - Important personalities top

Important cultural personalities
Important economic personalities
Important military personalities
Important personalities
Important political personalities
Important scientific/academic personalities

S.12 - Time top

S.12.01 - Time, general

Calendar
Centuries
Decades
Duration
Future
Millennium
Moment
Past
Present
Seasons/climatic periods
Time
Year

S.12.02 - Historical epochs

Antiquity
Colonial age
Historical epochs
Middle Ages
Modern times
Periodization
Post Cold War Era

S.13 - Other basic terms top

Basic concepts
Basis
Persons
Principles
Qualitative/quality
Quantitative/quantity
Space