House of Cards: English Vocabulary List

an imaginary state or location where everything is perfect

"The philosopher imagined a perfect utopia society"

"The community tried but failed to create a perfect utopia."

a political belief with an inclination to keep the traditional values in a society by avoiding changes

"Conservatism is about keeping old traditions and not changing things too fast."

"His conservatism influenced his opposition to rapid social reforms in the education system."

the doctrine that the best measure or decision is the one that satisfies the majority of people

"Utilitarianism helps the majority."

"The politician's decision was based on utilitarianism, aiming for the greatest benefit for the largest number of citizens."

having no interest or involvement in politics

"He is apolitical."

"He is apolitical and does not vote or follow the news about elections and government policies."

concerning two groups or countries

"The agreement is bilateral."

"The agreement is bilateral and involves only two countries rather than many nations."

a political system that invests all the power and authority on a single prominent organization

"The system of centralism gave power to the national government."

"The country's political system is characterized by extreme centralism with all power concentrated in the capital."

a ruler or leader who has absolute power and uses it in a cruel and oppressive way, without any regard for the rights or well-being of others

"The people rebelled against the tyrant."

"The cruel tyrant ruled the country with fear and violence for many years."

an unpredictable vote that belongs to a person or party which has a crucial influence on the results of an election

"Important swing vote."

"The independent senator holds the important swing vote in the close election."

an unofficial test of opinion that includes a number of people who give their opinion about something or say whether or not they intend to participate in an election

"The straw poll indicated support."

"The informal straw poll conducted at the community fair suggested that the new proposal was likely to gain widespread public approval."

an alliance between two or more countries or between political parties when forming a government or during elections

"A coalition formed government."

"The two smaller parties formed a coalition government to ensure stability and pass key legislation."

a union or league of political entities or organizations, often for common purposes

"A confederation is a group of states that work together loosely."

"A confederation is an alliance of sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central authority while retaining their independence"

a group of people in a specific area who elect a representative to a legislative position

"The MP worked hard for the people in her constituency."

"A constituency is a body of voters in a specific area who elect a representative to a legislative body."

relating to or in accordance with the rules laid out in a constitution, which is a set of fundamental laws for a country or organization

"This is a constitutional right."

"The supreme court ruled that the law was constitutional because it did not violate any rights protected by the constitution."

a politician who appeals to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people instead of valid arguments in order to gain support

"The demagogue used angry speeches to stir up the large crowd."

"A demagogue is a charismatic political leader who appeals to popular prejudices and makes false promises to gain power"

to make something uncertain by introducing changes that disrupt its stability

"The coup destabilizes the entire region."

"The sudden resignation of the prime minister threatened to destabilize the entire government and cause chaos in the country."

the job, skill, or act of managing the relationships between different countries

"The crisis was resolved through quiet diplomacy."

"The conflict was resolved through careful diplomacy rather than military action between the two nations."

the group of people who are eligible to vote in an election

"The electorate voted in large numbers."

"The entire electorate went to the polls to choose their new government last month."

to grant the right of voting to a person or group

"The law enfranchises all adult citizens."

"The new law aims to enfranchise millions of young voters who were previously not allowed to participate in elections."

an overenthusiastic individual, especially one who is devoted to a radical political or religious cause

"The religious fanatic refused to listen to other views."

"The religious fanatic tried to convert everyone to his own beliefs with great passion."

a political system in which a central government controls the affairs of each self-governed state

"Federalism divides power between governments."

"Federalism is a political concept where two levels of government share sovereignty over the same territory"

a social and land-owning system in medieval Europe in which people were granted land and protection by a nobleman in exchange, they had to fight and work for him

"Medieval feudalism system."

"Feudalism structured medieval society with lords granting land in exchange for military service."

an area located at a border, where two countries or regions meet

"The settlers moved west to the frontier."

"The rugged mountain range served as a natural frontier between the two ancient kingdoms."

the study of how geography influences global political and economic interactions

"Geopolitics studies how geography affects power between countries."

"Understanding geopolitics helps explain why nations compete for natural resources."

a system in which one country controls or has influence over other countries, often by winning wars against them

"The age of imperialism ended after World War II."

"European imperialism expanded influence over many territories during the nineteenth century."

the political practice of only being concerned with one's home country and not getting involved in international affairs

"Strict isolationism policy."

"The country followed a strict isolationism policy and avoided international conflicts for many decades."

a political approach advocating the government participation in other nations' affairs or influencing the economy of its own country

"Interventionism was the key feature of their foreign policy."

"The country followed a policy of foreign interventionism in regional conflicts."

relating to the making and passing of laws by government bodies

"The bill is legislative."

"The legislative branch of government is responsible for making laws and approving the national budget."

the political belief that promotes personal freedom, democracy, gradual changes in society, and free trade

"Liberalism is a belief in personal freedom and equal rights for everyone."

"Classical liberalism emphasizes free markets and limited government as the foundational principles of a truly free and autonomous society."

a written public declaration of intentions, opinions, and objectives, often issued by a political party, a government, or a group of individuals with a shared interest or purpose

"Political manifesto published."

"The party published a new manifesto before the general election last year."

the ideology that advocates the unjustifiable nature of war or any other act of violence, and seeks out peace

"His pacifism led him to refuse military service."

"His commitment to pacifism meant he refused to serve in the military even when drafted."

a political system in which a small group of high-powered people control a country or organization

"An oligarchy is rule by a small group of very rich people."

"An oligarchy is a power structure where a tiny elite clique controls the state"

strongly against any political or social changes or any new ideas

"His views are reactionary."

"His views are reactionary and he opposes any kind of social or political change."

relating to a form of government where the legislature, known as parliament, has significant control over making laws and monitoring the government

"The system is parliamentary."

"The system is parliamentary which means the prime minister is chosen by the legislature."

a type of politics that purports to represent the opinions and desires of ordinary people in order to gain their support

"Populism appeals to ordinary people's concerns."

"The candidate's populism appealed to working-class voters who felt ignored by wealthy elites and forgotten by the political establishment."

information and statements that are mostly biased and false and are used to promote a political cause or leader

"The posters were propaganda to make people support the war effort."

"Propaganda is biased or misleading information spread to promote a particular political cause or damage an opposing cause."

members of a political party or other organization who have a certain function or share certain views

"The liberal wing spoke."

"The more progressive wing of the party advocated for significant policy changes and reforms."

a system of government that is controlled by officials who are not elected rather employed

"Cutting through the bureaucracy took months of filling out forms and waiting."

"Bureaucracy refers to a complex system of administrative departments and rules"

to seek or gather opinions by asking questions or conducting a survey

"They will canvass voters."

"Political volunteers will canvass the district door-to-door to gauge public opinion on the upcoming election issues."

senior members of a government who make decisions and control the policy of the government

"The cabinet met today."

"The prime minister appointed new members to the cabinet to address the pressing national issues."

a person who believes in or advocates for the principle of equality, especially in regards to social, political, and economic affairs

"The group had an egalitarian structure."

"An egalitarian society treats all people as equals regardless of their background."

a formal ceremony at which a person is admitted to office

"The inauguration of the new president was a huge event."

"An inauguration is the formal investiture ceremony where a leader is sworn into office"