Page 113 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance

Politics and public institutions

Look at the definitions below taken from a dictionary of politics. Make sure you understand
not only the words listed but the words used in the definitions too.

Types of government

republic: a state governed by representatives
The British
and, usually, a president
monarchy: a state ruled by a king or queen
democracy: government of, by and for the people
dictatorship: system of government run by a
dictator
independence: freedom from outside control;
self-governing
The United Kingdom
The Republic of Ireland

People and bodies involved in politics

Member of Parliament (MP): a representative of the people in Parliament
politician: someone for whom politics is a career
statesman/woman: someone who uses an important political position wisely and well
Prime Minister: the head of government or leading minister in many countries
chamber: hall used by a group of legislators; many countries have two chambers
cabinet: a committee of the most important ministers in the government
President and Vice-president: the head of state in many modern states
Mayor: head of a town or city council
ambassador: top diplomat representing hislher country abroad
embassy: the building where an ambassador and hislher staff are based
ministry: a department of state headed by a minister.

Elections
constituency: a political area whose inhabitants are represented by one MP
candidate: someone who stands in an election
policy: the programme of action of a particular party or government
majority: the number of votes by which a person wins an election
referendum: a direct vote by the population on some important public issue
by(e)-election: an election in one constituency in contrast to a General Election
marginal seat: a parliamentary seat held by a very small majority of votes
the opposition: members of parliament who do not belong to the party in power
stand/run for Parliament: to be a candidate in an election
vote: to choose in a formal way, e.g. by marking a ballot paper
elect: to choose someone or something by voting
You will find words dealing with types of political belief in Unit 67.

English Vocabulary in Use