Unit 10: The Powers That Be - Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms, idioms, and definitions covering politics, society, governance, and review topics from Unit 10.

common good

The benefit or interests of all.

communal

Involving different groups of people in a community.

equal rights

The right to be treated without discrimination, especially on the grounds of one's sex, race or age.

freeloader

A person who is always accepting free food, accommodation or help from other people without giving them anything in exchange.

humanity

People in general.

law enforcement

The activity of making certain that the laws of an area are obeyed.

majority rule

A system in which power is held by the group that has the largest number of members.

ballot paper

A slip of paper used to register a vote.

candidate

A person or group that is considered suitable for sth or that is likely to get sth or to be sth.

constituency

A district that elects its own representative to parliament.

country

An area of land that has or used to have its own government and laws.

electorate

The people in a country or an area who have the right to vote, thought of as a group.

general election

An election in which all the people of a country vote to choose a government.

left-wing politics

A political outlook that favours social change.

local election

An election to select members for a local council.

manifesto

A written statement in which a group of people, especially a political party, explain their beliefs and say what they will do if they win an election.

polling station

A building where people go to vote in an election.

right-wing politics

Political outlook that is least in favour of social change.

turnout

The number of people who vote in a particular election.

vote

A formal choice that you make in an election or at a meeting in order to choose sb or decide sth.

abolish

To officially end a law, a system or an institution.

adversary

A person that sb is opposed to and competing with in an argument or a battle.

arms

Weapons, especially as used by the army, navy, etc.

eradicate

To destroy or get rid of sth completely, especially sth bad.

foe

An enemy or opponent.

freedom

The right to do or say what you want without anyone stopping you.

liberty

Freedom to live as you choose without too many restrictions from government or authority.

mankind

All humans, thought about as one large group.

nation

A country considered as a group of people with the same language, culture and history, who live in a particular area under one government.

pledge

A serious promise.

(human) population

All the people who live in a particular area, city or country.

spiritual

Connected with the human spirit, rather than the body or physical things.

egalitarian

Based on, or holding, the belief that everyone is equal and should have the same rights and opportunities.

get rid of

To remove sth that is causing a problem from a place, group, etc.

swear

To use rude or offensive language, usually because you are angry.

alternative

A thing that you can choose to do or have out of two or more possibilities.

boil down to

To have sth as a main or basic part.

capitalize on

To gain a further advantage for yourself from a situation.

class-based

A status hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of economic success and accumulation of wealth.

come under fire

To be criticized severely for sth you have done.

economical with the truth

Euphemism for deceitful, not stating the true facts about sth, or lying about it.

extreme

Very great in degree.

mainstream

The ideas and opinions that are thought to be normal because they are shared by most people.

moderate

Having or showing opinions, especially about politics, that are not extreme.

pluck out of the air

To say a name, number, etc. without thinking about it, especially in answer to a question.

politically correct

Used to describe language or behaviour that deliberately tries to avoid offending particular groups of people.

private

Belonging to or for the use of a particular person or group.

quick off the mark

Fast in reacting to a situation.

radical

Concerning the most basic and important parts of sth.

reactionary

A person who is opposed to political or social change.

secular

Not connected with spiritual or religious matters.

set the record straight

To give people the correct information about sth in order to make it clear that what they previously believed was in fact wrong.

talk up

To talk about (sth or sb) to make it seem as good as possible or to draw positive attention to it.

toe the line

To say or do what sb in authority tells you to say or do, even if you do not share the same opinions, etc.

promise

To tell sb that you will definitely do or not do sth, or that sth will definitely happen.