c1Vocabulary Pack

Politics & Society

Government, elections, rights and how society is organised.

71 words

English vocabulary

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71 words

Definitions in: English

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1
electoratenounformalneutral
Collective term for all the people entitled to vote in an election.
The party has clearly lost touch with its core electorate.
2
incumbentnounformalneutral
The current holder of an office or position, especially when facing re-election.
The incumbent has a clear advantage in name recognition.
3
coalitionnounneutral
A government or alliance formed by two or more parties cooperating together.
No single party won a majority, so they formed a coalition.
4
mandatenounformalneutral
The authority to govern granted by voters, or an instruction to carry out a policy.
They claim a clear mandate for radical reform.
5
bipartisanadjectiveformalneutral
Involving cooperation or agreement between two opposing political parties.
The bill passed with rare bipartisan support.
6
suffragenounformal
The right to vote in political elections, especially as a historical achievement.
Universal suffrage was only achieved after decades of struggle.
7
voter turnoutexpressionneutral
The proportion of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot in an election.
Voter turnout was the lowest in living memory.
8
landslidenounneutral
An overwhelming election victory by a wide margin.
The party swept to power in a landslide.
9
filibusternountechnicalneutral
A prolonged speech or tactic used to delay or block a legislative decision.
Senators used a filibuster to stall the vote for hours.
10
gerrymanderingnountechnicalpejorative
Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favour one party.
Critics accused the state of blatant gerrymandering.
11
demagoguenounformalpejorative
A leader who gains power by appealing to popular emotions and prejudices.
History is littered with demagogues who exploited people's fears.
12
patriotismnounneutral
Love of and devotion to one's country, generally with positive connotations.
He spoke movingly about duty and patriotism.
13
sovereigntynounformal
A state's supreme authority to govern itself without outside interference.
The treaty was seen as a threat to national sovereignty.
14
autonomynounformal
The right of a region or group to govern its own affairs to some degree.
The region was granted greater autonomy after years of protest.
15
devolutionnounformaltechnical
The transfer of powers from central government to regional or local bodies.
Devolution gave Scotland its own parliament.
16
accountabilitynounformalneutral
The obligation of those in power to answer for their actions and decisions.
Voters are demanding greater accountability from their leaders.
17
transparencynounformalneutral
Openness in government, so decisions and dealings can be scrutinised.
The new rules are meant to improve transparency in public spending.
18
bureaucracynounneutral
A complex system of administration with many officials and procedures.
The reforms were buried under layers of bureaucracy.
19
red tapeidiominformal
Excessive, frustrating official rules and paperwork that slow things down.
Small businesses are drowning in red tape.
20
civil servantexpressionneutral
A professional employee of a government department, not an elected politician.
Senior civil servants advise ministers on policy.
21
civil societyexpressionformal
The sphere of citizens' groups, charities and NGOs independent of the state.
A strong civil society is essential to a healthy democracy.
22
cabinetnounneutral
The group of senior ministers who form the executive policy-making body.
The proposal was discussed at this morning's cabinet meeting.
23
manifestonounneutral
A published statement of a party's policies and intentions before an election.
The pledge was a central part of their election manifesto.
24
pledgenounneutral
A solemn public promise, especially one made by a politician or party.
They broke their pledge not to raise taxes.
25
vetonounformaltechnical
The constitutional right to reject a decision or proposed law.
The president used his veto to block the bill.
26
to ratifyverbformaltechnical
To give formal approval to a treaty or agreement to make it official.
Parliament has yet to ratify the trade agreement.
27
to repealverbformaltechnical
To officially revoke or cancel an existing law.
Campaigners fought for years to repeal the ban.
28
amendmentnounformaltechnical
A formal change or addition proposed to a law or constitution.
The opposition tabled an amendment to soften the bill.
29
to enactverbformaltechnical
To make a proposal into law through the formal legislative process.
The legislation was finally enacted last spring.
30
censorshipnounneutral
The suppression or control of speech, press or other communication.
State censorship of the press intensified after the protests.
31
dissidentnounformalneutral
A person who openly opposes an authoritarian government, often at personal risk.
The dissident was jailed for criticising the regime.
32
oppressionnounformalneutral
Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment of people by those in power.
The movement was born out of decades of oppression.
33
tyrannynounformalliterary
Cruel and oppressive government or rule by an absolute ruler.
The revolution was a revolt against centuries of tyranny.
34
authoritarianadjectiveneutral
Favouring strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
The country slid steadily towards authoritarian rule.
35
totalitarianadjectiveformal
Relating to a system that demands total state control over public and private life.
The novel depicts a bleak totalitarian state.
36
coupnounneutral
A sudden, often violent, illegal seizure of power from a government.
The president was ousted in a military coup.
37
uprisingnounneutral
A popular revolt against an authority or government.
The uprising began with peaceful demonstrations.
38
revolutionnounneutral
A fundamental, often forcible, overthrow of a government or social order.
The revolution swept away the old monarchy.
39
radicaladjectiveneutral
Advocating thorough or extreme political and social change.
They are calling for radical reform of the whole system.
40
moderatenounneutral
A person whose political views are reasonable and not extreme.
The party's moderates were uneasy about the new direction.
41
centristadjectiveneutral
Holding moderate political views, avoiding the extremes of left and right.
She ran on a broadly centrist platform.
42
austeritynounneutral
Government policy of sharp cuts in public spending to reduce debt.
A decade of austerity left public services stretched thin.
43
subsidynounneutral
Money paid by the government to support an industry or keep prices low.
Farmers rely heavily on government subsidies.
44
inequalitynounneutral
The unequal distribution of wealth, income or opportunity in society.
The gap between rich and poor highlights deepening inequality.
45
social mobilityexpressionformalneutral
The ability of people to move between social and economic classes.
Education is often seen as the key to social mobility.
46
the establishmentexpressionneutral
The powerful, entrenched institutions and people who hold authority in society.
He styled himself as an outsider taking on the establishment.
47
the status quoexpressionformalneutral
The existing state of affairs, especially regarding political or social structures.
Powerful interests are determined to preserve the status quo.
48
asylum seekerexpressionneutral
A person who has applied for protection in another country but awaits a decision.
Asylum seekers are often housed in temporary accommodation.
49
partisanadjectiveoften pejorative
Strongly and often blindly loyal to one party or faction; biased.
The debate quickly descended into partisan point-scoring.
50
populismnounneutraloften pejorative
A political approach appealing to ordinary people against an established elite.
The rise of populism has reshaped European politics.
51
backbenchernounneutral; British/Commonwealth parliamentary English
A member of parliament who holds no ministerial or senior position. Note: a British/Commonwealth parliamentary term with no direct equivalent in presidential or non-Westminster systems.
A group of backbenchers threatened to rebel against the leadership.
52
whipnountechnicalneutral; primarily British/Commonwealth parliamentary usage
A party official responsible for enforcing discipline and securing votes among members; also the written instruction issued to members on how to vote. Primarily British/Commonwealth parliamentary usage.
The whip warned rebels that there would be consequences.
53
lobbyistnounneutral
A person paid to influence politicians on behalf of an interest group or company.
Industry lobbyists fiercely opposed the new regulations.
54
to lobbyverbneutral
To try to influence lawmakers or officials in favour of a particular cause.
Campaigners lobbied the government to tighten the law.
55
grassrootsadjective/nounneutral
Relating to ordinary people at the local level rather than the leadership; also the ordinary people themselves at that level.
The campaign built a powerful grassroots movement.
56
punditnounneutralsometimes ironic
A commentator who offers opinions on politics, often in the media.
Political pundits had completely failed to predict the result.
57
spinnouninformaloften pejorative
The favourable slant put on information to manage public perception.
The government put a positive spin on the grim figures.
58
rhetoricnounformal; often pejorative in political contexts
Persuasive or impressive language, often implying it lacks substance.
His speech was full of fiery rhetoric but few concrete plans.
59
statesmannounformal
A respected, experienced political leader admired for wisdom and integrity. Note: the female equivalent is stateswoman; statesperson is also used for gender-neutrality.
In his later years he was widely regarded as an elder statesman.
60
nationalismnounneutralsometimes pejorative
Strong identification with one's nation, often above other nations' interests.
A wave of nationalism swept across the region.
61
to impeachverbformaltechnical
To formally charge a public official with serious misconduct in office.
Congress voted to impeach the president.
62
propagandanounpejorative
Biased information spread to promote a political cause or point of view.
State television pumps out propaganda day and night.
63
militantadjective/nounneutral
Aggressively active in pursuing a political or social cause; also a person who uses such aggressive, often violent, methods.
The strike was led by the union's most militant members.
64
extremismnounneutral
Holding or advocating extreme political or religious views.
The government launched a programme to counter extremism.
65
privatisationnounneutral
The transfer of a state-owned business or service into private ownership.
The privatisation of the railways remains deeply controversial.
66
marginalisedadjectiveformalneutral
Pushed to the edges of society and denied power or influence.
The policy fails the most marginalised communities.
67
polarisationnounformalneutral
The division of opinion into two sharply opposing political extremes.
Social media has accelerated political polarisation.
68
xenophobianounformalpejorative
Intense dislike or fear of people from other countries.
The campaign was accused of stirring up xenophobia.
69
privatizationnounneutralAmerican English
American English spelling of the word meaning the selling off of state assets to private owners.
The privatization of the railways remains deeply controversial among voters.
70
marginalizedadjectiveneutralAmerican English
American English spelling of the word meaning excluded from power and the mainstream of society.
The new policy is meant to give marginalized communities a stronger political voice.
71
polarizationnounneutralAmerican English
American English spelling of the word meaning the splitting of opinion into two opposing camps.
Political polarization has made bipartisan compromise increasingly rare.

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Headlines, debates and heated arguments all run on political vocabulary, and this pack hands you the terms that carry the weight. Learn the language of government, elections and institutions, plus the concepts – democracy, rights, policy – that frame public discussion. It pushes into upper-advanced territory, so you can follow serious coverage and argue a clear, informed position of your own.