Political Science Vocabulary

Flashcards for key political science terms.

Aggression

Behaviour which is threatening or that involves causing harm to someone or something

Allegiance

Support and loyalty for a country, ruler, group or set of beliefs

Ambassador

An important official who works in a foreign country as a diplomatic representative of their respective home country

Annex

To take possession of a country or an area of land, usually without permission or by force

Authoritarian

Demanding that people obey completely and refusing to allow them freedom to act as they wish

Border

The political line that divides one country from another, usually following geographical features

Boycott

Expressing strong disapproval by refusing to do business with a company, buy a product or take part in an activity

Capitalism

An economic, political and social paradigm in which business, property and industry are privately owned and directed towards making the greatest possible profits for those organisations and people who are most successful

Colonialism

A policy or system in which a country controls another country or area

Communism

A society that is without different social classes in which production methods are owned and controlled by everyone, with everyone working as much as they can and receiving what they need

Conquer

To take possession or control of a group of people or foreign land by force

Conservative

Emphasising the importance of preserving traditional cultural and religious values, and generally opposing sudden change

Conspiracy

A secret plan made by two or more people or government in order to do something illegal or against another’s wishes

Constitution

Especially in relation to the rights of the people, this is the set of political principles by which an organisation or state or is governed

Current Affairs

Political news about events happening now

De Facto

Existing in fact, whether intended, legal or accepted

Decolonisation

When a country that was previously controlled by another country (a colony) becomes politically independent

Despot

A ruler who has unlimited power over the people they govern, and who often uses that power unfairly and cruelly

Diplomacy

The attempted management of relationships between countries through envoy, ambassadors and diplomats

Dispute

An official argument or disagreement, particularly one between two countries with a common border

Dynasty

A period in history when a country is ruled by a series of rulers or leaders who are all from the same family

Dystopia

A very unfair society in which there is a lot of suffering

Elite

The richest, most powerful and best-educated people in a society

Embassy

A building that represents a country, placed in a foreign country

Empire

A group of countries ruled by a single person or government

Espionage

The discovering of political or military secrets

Ethnic

Relating to a particular race of people

Expansion

Increasing in size, number or importance

Expedition

An organized journey for a particular purpose

Faction

A group within a larger group, usually one that has slightly different ideas

Federal

The system of having a central government as well as a regional one, such as in the US

Foreign Policy

A government’s regulations on dealing with other countries such as in matters relating to trade or defence

Global

Relating to the whole world

Globalisation

The process in which businesses or other organisations expand their influence and operate on an international scale

Governance

The way that countries or organisations are managed and the systems which are required to do this

Hegemon

A country or group that is very powerful and that is therefore able to extend its control to others

Hijack

To take control of an aircraft or other vehicle using violence

Hostile

Being aggressive or unfriendly towards another person or country

Idealism

The belief that a better world can be achieved even if the steps to get there seem unrealistic to others

Imperialism

When a country rules one or many other countries, often having used force to achieve dominion over them

Indenture

(historical) a formal agreement that someone will work for a particular length of time in order to learn a job or receive reward

Independent

Not influenced or controlled by other people, countries, events or things

Institution

A large and important organisation

Insurgency

When a group of people try to take control of their country by force

Landlocked

Having no coast; surrounded by the land of other countries

Left-Wing

Relating to the idea that wealth and power should be shared between all parts of society, as is aligned with the political left

Liberalism

The political belief that there should be free trade and personal freedom, and that changes in society should be made but gradually

Mercantile

Related to business and trade

Meritocracy

A social system or organisation in which people obtain power and success because of their abilities rather than money or social position

Militancy

Being active, determined and willing to use force