For the purposes of this debate, overconfidence is a cognitive bias in which a person's subjective confidence in their judgments is reliably greater than the objective accuracy of those judgments.

"Lifetime employment" refers to a dominant norm of employment in western nations following the Second World War until the 1970s. Under this norm, employees were first hired when they were young, and would remain at the company until retirement. Over the course of their employment, workers would receive regular promotions and pay raises influenced by their seniority, and following their retirement, they were typically provided with a generous company pension.

The anxious attachment style is characterized by a fear of abandonment, a craving for intimacy, and a constant need for reassurance. On the other hand, an avoidant attachment style is characterized by difficulty handling emotional closeness, a strong need for independence, and the tendency to withdraw from settings they perceive as overly intimate.

"For this debate, “deeply divided societies” are societies with a variety of different ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, or other communal groups that are very socially and politically salient, and that often form the only basis for social and political action. On the other hand, “patriotism” describes devotion and vigorous support for one’s country. "

Fengqiao-style policing is a practice in rural Chinese communities that emphasizes the decentralization of law enforcement and extensive community involvement in justice. A central part of Fengqiao‐style policing is the active engagement of diverse community actors—including local leaders, law enforcement agencies, and social organisations—in the collaborative management of public security. This approach cultivates a shared sense of responsibility and collective action, ensuring that no single group bears sole responsibility for maintaining public order, which also helps reduce reliance on the judicial system.

Non-interventionism is a foreign policy doctrine advocating that a state should avoid alliances, military engagements, and interference in the internal affairs of other nations unless it is for the purpose of directly defending itself. Distinct from isolationism, it allows for active diplomacy and economic relations.