This glossary belongs to the Political Science field. It was mainly made for the purpose of learning definitions related to words in this sphere. Most of the definitions come from the Robert dictionary online, Each term is followed by an example sentence.
activist
noun
A person that actively tries to achieve social or political change by joining (often ) an activist group.
Example: Liz is an environmental activist for Greenpeace Canada.
en: activiste
autocracy
noun
A system of government by one person with absolute power.
Example: The autocracy of Adolf Hitler in Germany from 1933 to 1945 was horrific, everyone needed to follow his orders.
en: autocratie
ballot
noun
A vote usually done in secret, or the system for voting.
Example: The next president of the United States will be elected by ballot.
en: scrutin/ bulletin de vote
biased
adjective
Having an unfair preference for someone or something based on personal opinions.
Example: This media present the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a biased way.
en: biaisé
bureaucracy
noun
A hierarchy of officials who administer an organisation or a government department.
Example: The structure of bureaucracy changed over the years.
en: bureaucratie
cabinet
noun
A body composed of the main members of a government, who represents the executive power.
Example: The cabinet secretary is supposed to make an announcement in the press conference tomorrow.
en: cabinet
caucus
noun
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement.
Example: Quebec solidaire 11 member caucus swore an oath to King Charles III against their will.
en: caucus
democracy
noun
Political system in which all citizens and eligible representatives members chosen through election participate in public decisions.
Example: The system of government in Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.
en: démocratie
diplomacy
noun
The managing of relations and communication between countries to ensure peace between nations, groups, or individuals. People who practice diplomacy are called diplomats.
Example: The government avoided a war by successfully resolving the issues through diplomacy.
en: diplomatie
draconian
adjective
Extremely strict and severe (about a law, punishment or application).
Example: The governor proposed draconian cuts in state aid to education.
en: draconien/ne
fascism
noun
An authoritarian far-right political system with a totalitarian ideology, characterized by a dictatorial militarism leader, with belief in a racial supremacy and where there's no opposition.
Example: People around the world fear the return of fascism one day.
en: fascisme
geopolitics
noun
The study of the effects of Earth's geography resources and territories on politics and international relations.
Example: Water resources are an important key in geopolitics that can cause conflicts.
en: géopolitique
human rights
noun
Coming from the political, legal and philosophical concept where every human has rights to be treated fairly without cruelty or injustice.
Example: Human rights are often violated during wars such as in Congo.
en: droits humains
ideology
noun
A particular set of ideas and beliefs, especially one on which a political system, party, or organization is based.
Example: Neo-liberalism is an ideology based on the theory that natural market forces of supply and demand create an optimal distribution of resources within society.
en: idéologie
Nation-state
noun
A Nation-state is a particular type of state in which citizens are assumed to belong in their majority to the same nation or where individuals are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language, culture, religion, or ethnicity.
Example: Japan is a nation-state because it's a sovereign nation-state with a population that is fairly homogeneous, most of its people share the same ethnicity and ancestry.
en: État-nation
Political corruption
noun
Political corruption is the abuse of power by elected government officials for personal gain, by extortion, soliciting or offering bribes.
Example: I heard that the ex-Laval mayor Vaillancourt was accused of political corruption and fraud.
en: corruption politique
prime minister
noun
The leader of the government of a country with a parliamentary system that is either a constitutional monarchy or a republic.
Example: Justin Trudeau is Canada's 23rd Prime Minister.
en: premier ministre
referendum
noun
An event in which the people of a county, state, etc., vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue.
Example: The Quebec sovereignty referendum in 1995 was rejected.
en: référendum
Senate
noun
A deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature.
Example: Legislation has to be passed by the senate before it becomes law.
en: Sénat
veto
verb
A legal power or right to refuse/allow a law, or resolution.
Example: In some countries the head of state can veto legislation.
