Topic 1

Government

The group of people who officially control a country

Aristotle

An ancient Greek philosopher, a person who studies the meaning of life, and scientist

Democracy

The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves

Oligarchy

A small group of very powerful people that controls a government or society

Autocracy

Government by a single person or small group that has unlimited power or authority, or the power or authority of such a person or group

Aristocracy

A government ruled by or consisting of people of a high social class

Monarchy

A system of government that has a king or queen, or a country that has this system of government

Parliament

A group of politicians who have been elected to make laws for the country

Dictatorship

A country ruled by a dictator

Constitution

The set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs

Welfare state

A political system in which the government pays for health care and other social benefits for its citizens, or a nation that operates under this system

Weimer constitution

The constitution declared Germany to be a democratic parliamentary republic with a legislature elected under proportional representation

Vienna Convention

Law of Treaties, an international agreement governing treaty between states that was drafted by the International Law Commission of the United Nations and adopted on May 23, 1969, and that entered into force on January 27, 1980

Legislative

It is the part of the government that is in charge of creating, developing and modifying the laws of a country

Executive

The part of a government that is responsible for making certain that laws and decisions are put into action

Judicial

Courts or judges or the part of a government responsible for the legal system

Bill of rights

A statement of the rights of US citizens, as added to the country’s constitution. A statement of the basic laws to protect the rights of a country's citizens to have justice and fairness

Magna Carta

A document signed in 1215 by King John of England that gave certain political and legal rights to some English people. It is often seen as the start of the legal system and the rule of law in England

Congress

The elected group of politicians in the US who are responsible for making the law, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Senate

The group of politicians who have the most power to make laws in a government

Theocracy

Government that is controlled by religious leaders, or a country with such a government

Totalitarian rule

A government that has almost complete control over the lives of its citizens and does not permit political opposition

Feminism

The belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state

Communism

A political theory that believes that the state should control the methods of production, there should be no separate social classes and everyone should be treated equally