Politics & Society

Vocabulary for civic and social topics

Introduction

Understanding society and politics requires vocabulary for discussing institutions, governance, and social issues. These words help you engage with the world around you.

This chapter covers vocabulary for politics and society. You'll learn words for government, social structures, civic participation, and the concepts that shape our communities.

Themes

All Vocabulary (NGSL) in This Chapter (53)

• right Correct; morally good; the opposite of left; an entitlement
• country A nation with its own government; rural areas away from cities
• city A large and important town
• public Relating to ordinary people; available to everyone; not private
• power The ability to do something; authority or control; energy or strength
• political Relating to government, politics, or public affairs
• policy A plan of action adopted by a government, organisation, or individual
• toward In the direction of; with regard to
• rule A regulation or principle; to govern or control
• law A rule made by a government; the system of rules in a society
• war Armed conflict between nations or groups
• forward Towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving
• community A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests
• national Relating to a whole nation or country; a citizen of a particular country
• vote A formal choice in an election; to make such a choice
• society People living together in organised communities; an organisation
• president The head of state in a republic; the leader of an organisation
• court A place where legal cases are heard; a sports playing area; a royal residence
• campaign An organised series of activities to achieve a goal; military operations
• international Existing, occurring, or carried on between two or more nations
• election A formal process where people vote to choose representatives
• military Relating to armed forces, soldiers, or warfare
• nation A country considered as a group of people with the same history and language
• judge A person who presides over a court; to form an opinion about
• aware Having knowledge or perception of something
• politics Activities related to government and gaining power; the study of government
• peace A state without war or conflict; calm and quiet
• crime An illegal act; illegal activity in general
• equal The same in size, amount, value, or status
• freedom The state of being free from constraints or oppression
• violence Physical force intended to hurt or damage; extreme intensity
• minister A senior government official; a religious leader
• citizen A legal member of a country with rights and duties
• capacity The maximum amount something can contain or produce; ability
• lawyer A person qualified to practise law; a solicitor or barrister
• bright Giving out or reflecting a lot of light; intelligent; cheerful
• victim Someone who suffers harm or injury from a crime, accident, or event
• explanation A statement that makes something clear or gives reasons for something
• selection The act of choosing; a range of things that have been chosen
• poll A survey of opinions; a process of voting in elections
• justice Fairness in how people are treated; the legal system; a judge
• criminal A person who commits crimes, or relating to crime
• reward Something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement
• voter A person who votes or has the right to vote
• equally In the same manner; to the same degree; in equal parts
• democracy A system of government where people vote to choose leaders
• presidential Relating to a president or the office of president
• devote To give all of one's time, effort, or resources to something
• frighten To make someone afraid or scared
• awareness Knowledge or understanding of a situation or subject
• imagination The ability to form mental images or ideas; creativity
• determination The quality of being resolute; the act of establishing something
• alright Satisfactory; acceptable; used to express agreement or ask if someone is okay