Politics: English Vocabulary List

to make an attempt to persuade politicians to agree or disagree with a law being made or changed

"Environmental groups lobby for stricter pollution laws."

"The environmental group plans to lobby the government to pass stricter laws against industrial pollution and waste dumping."

related to the work of keeping or creating friendly relationships between countries

"She is diplomatic."

"The diplomatic solution avoided a war between the two countries and the leaders shook hands at the peace conference."

(of actions, ideas, etc.) very new and different from the norm

"He has radical ideas."

"The radical new treatment for cancer involves editing the patient's own genes to help their immune system recognize and destroy the tumor cells."

the action of striving to bring about social or political reform, especially as a member of an organization with specific objectives

"Her political activism began during her college years."

"Her dedicated activism focused on environmental protection and sustainable development for her community."

a person who tries to bring about political or social change, especially someone who supports strong actions such as protests, etc.

"Environmental activist spoke."

"The environmental activist organized protests to demand government action on reducing plastic pollution."

a senior official whose job is living in a foreign country and representing their own country

"The ambassador met the president."

"An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat who represents a nation in a foreign country"

a ruler that has total power over a state, particularly a ruler who gained power through force

"Cruel dictator ruled."

"The dictator ruled the country for thirty years suppressing all political opposition and free speech."

someone who makes decisions about the policies that a government or organization follows

"Policy makers debated the new healthcare law."

"Policy makers must consider long term consequences rather than short term political gains when writing laws."

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."

the act of buying and selling goods and services, particularly between countries

"International commerce is growing."

"The new trade agreement is expected to significantly boost international commerce and create new economic opportunities."

a system of international trading in which there are no restrictions or taxes on goods bought or sold

"Free trade agreement signed."

"The free trade agreement between the two countries eliminated tariffs on most imported goods."

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."

the situation of someone who is sent to live in another country or city by force, particularly as a penalty or for political reasons

"Live in exile."

"The political dissident lived in exile for twenty years before returning to his homeland safely."

an official agreement between two or more governments or states

"The two countries signed a treaty."

"The peace treaty ended decades of conflict and brought hope for a more stable future."

an economic and political system in which industry, businesses, and properties belong to the private sector rather than the government

"Capitalism is based on private business and free markets for all."

"Laissez-faire capitalism is an economic system where private transactions are free from any form of government intervention or external regulation."

a political system in which the government controls all industry, every citizen is equally treated, and private ownership does not exist

"Communism has its critics."

"The historical implementation of communism in several nations led to widespread economic challenges and political repression."

religious or political actions, beliefs, or ideas that most people find them extreme, unreasonable, and abnormal

"Extremism is dangerous."

"Religious extremism leads to violence when followers believe their interpretation of faith justifies harming others."

an extreme right-wing political attitude or system characterized by a strong central government, aggressively promoting one's country or race above others, as well as prohibiting any opposition

"Fascism is a system."

"Fascism is an extreme political system that emphasizes nationalism and authoritarian rule, suppressing all opposition."

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 belief in which the actions of one country affect all other countries in the world and that economic policy is built on benefiting the whole world not an individual country

"Globalism connects world."

"Critics of globalism argue that it benefits large corporations at the expense of local workers."

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."

related to the management and organization of tasks, processes, or resources within an organization or system

"Her job is administrative."

"The administrative assistant was responsible for scheduling meetings answering phones and organizing files for the entire department."

relating to the United States Congress, which makes laws and oversees the government

"The hearing is congressional."

"The congressional committee held hearings to investigate the scandal and they called several witnesses to testify under oath."

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."

related to voting, elections, or the process of choosing representatives through voting mechanisms

"The system is electoral."

"The electoral college system determines the winner of the presidential election in the United States based on votes from each state."

intended to last only until something permanent is presented

"He is the interim manager."

"The interim manager will run the department until a permanent replacement is found and hired by the board of directors."

a group of people who work for and accompany a person of power or fame

"The star's entourage arrived."

"The famous singer was always surrounded by her loyal entourage of managers, publicists, and security personnel."

a policy of giving in to the demands of others in order to maintain peace, often at the cost of one's own principles or values

"Policy of appeasement failed."

"The policy of appeasement toward the aggressive nation only encouraged further territorial expansion and conflict."

to make a society, law, system, or organization better or more effective by making many changes to it

"We need to reform."

"The new administration promised to reform the outdated educational system to improve student outcomes."

(of a country or state) self-governed and free from external control

"The nation is sovereign."

"The sovereign nation has the right to make its own laws without interference from other countries or international organizations."

supporting total and extreme social or political changes

"He wants radical change."

"The activist advocated for radical changes to address systemic inequalities within the community."

(of a country, region, etc.) the state of being independent and free from external control

"Regional autonomy increased."

"The region was granted political autonomy allowing it to govern itself without outside interference."

the official laws and principles by which a country or state is governed

"The constitution guarantees free speech."

"The constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free speech and a fair trial."

the act or process of making laws or passing a statute

"They passed new legislation."

"The parliament is currently debating the proposed legislation concerning environmental protection and conservation efforts."

the legality and power given to a government or other organization after winning an election

"The mandate was clear."

"After winning a landslide victory, the new government felt it had a clear mandate to implement its proposed 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"

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 process in which random people are asked the same questions to find out what the general public thinks about a given subject

"The latest poll shows an increase in his approval rating."

"The latest opinion poll shows that the two candidates are almost exactly tied in the race."

a formal agreement or treaty establishing cooperation between nations or groups for shared objectives

"They formed an alliance."

"The two nations formed a strategic alliance to defend their borders against common threats."

a country that aids another country, particularly if a war breaks out

"France was an ally of America."

"The two countries became close allies and signed a mutual defense treaty to protect each other."

an unexpected, illegal, and often violent attempt to change a government

"The military took power in a sudden coup last year."

"The general led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected president and established a new dictatorship."

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."

an economic system in which the state owns and manages major resources, industries, or capital

"Socialism is a system where the state owns the big industries."

"Democratic socialism advocates for political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production within a regulated market economy."

a set of rules and appropriate behavior that officials use on formal occasions

"Follow the diplomatic protocol."

"The protocol requires all guests to arrive before the ceremony."

to formally bring up a proposal, discussion, etc. at a meeting for consideration

"We will table this topic."

"The chairperson decided to table the proposal for further review before the next scheduled board meeting."