International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences

socialized medicine publicly administered system of national health care. The term is used to describe programs that range from government operation of medical facilities to national health-insurance plans. In 1948, Great Britain passed the National Health Service Act that provided free physician and hospital services for all citizens. The system was later amended, now charging a small fee for th... Read more

See also:

• health insurance
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• medicine
• public health

Cities of the World

Afghanistan , officially Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, republic (2005 est. pop. 29,929,000), 249,999 sq mi (647,497 sq km), S central Asia. Afghanistan is bordered by Iran on the west, by Pakistan on the east and south, and by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on the north; a narrow strip, the Vakhan (Wakhan), extends in the northeast along Pakistan to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regio... Read more

See also:

• Pathans
• Kabul
• Ahmad Shah
• Taliban

International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences

global warming the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution . The temperature of the atmosphere near the earth's surface is warmed through a natural process called the greenhouse effect. Visible, shortwave light comes from the sun to the earth, passing unimpeded through a blanket of therma... Read more

See also:

• plastic surgery
• Kyoto Protocol
• air pollution
• weather
• Climate change

Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy

immigration entrance of a person (an alien ) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. High rates of immigration are frequently accompanied by militant, and sometimes violent, calls for immigration restriction or deportation... Read more

See also:

• United States. Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Ellis Island
• deportation
• alien

International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences

French Revolution political upheaval of world importance in France that began in 1789. Origins of the Revolution Historians disagree in evaluating the factors that brought about the Revolution. To some extent at least, it came not because France was backward, but because the country's economic and intellectual development was not matched by social and political change. In the fixed order of the ... Read more

See also:

• Reign of Terror
• revolution
• Commune of Paris
• France

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

United Nations (UN), international organization established immediately after World War II. It replaced the League of Nations . In 1945, when the UN was founded, there were 51 members; 192 nations are now members of the organization (see table entitled United Nations Members ). Organization and Principles The Charter of the United Nations comprises a preamble and 19 chapters divided into 111 a... Read more

See also:

• United Nations Secretaries-General
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• League of Nations
• United Nations. General Assembly
• The Hague

Dictionary of American History

Federal Reserve System central banking system of the United States. Established in 1913, it began to operate in Nov., 1914. Its setup, although somewhat altered since its establishment, particularly by the Banking Act of 1935, has remained substantially the same. Structure The Federal Reserve Act created 12 regional Federal Reserve banks, supervised by a Federal Reserve Board. Each reserve bank ... Read more

See also:

• central bank
• United States Department of the Treasury
• Federal Reserve Act
• Monetary Policy

Encyclopedia of Food and Culture

food adulteration act of intentionally debasing the quality of food offered for sale either by the admixture or substitution of inferior substances or by the removal of some valuable ingredient. The Greek and Roman classics contain allusions to wine makers and dealers who colored and flavored their wine. In England as early as the 13th cent., bakers cheapened their wares or scanted the weight, an... Read more

See also:

• Genetically engineered foods
• Food and Drug Act of 1906
• Food and Drug Administration
• Monsanto Company

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

Tiananmen Square large public square in Beijing , China, on the southern edge of the Inner or Tatar City. The square, named for its Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen), contains the monument to the heroes of the revolution, the Great Hall of the People, the museum of history and revolution, and the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall (with Mao's embalmed body). Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding ... Read more

See also:

• Mao Zedong