SOCIAL 30 DEMOCRACY

Branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

Legislative: makes laws (Parliament/Congress). Executive: implements and enforces laws (PM/President, cabinet, civil service). Judicial: interprets laws and settles disputes (courts).

Supreme Court

The highest court in a country; final court of appeal that interprets the constitution and rules on major legal and constitutional questions.

Political Party

An organized group of people with shared political beliefs who compete in elections to win seats and form or influence government.

Oligarchy

A system in which a small group of people holds power, often based on wealth, family, military, or social status.

Autocratic

Ruled by a single person with unlimited power and little or no accountability to the people.

Elitist

The belief that a small, privileged or highly educated group is best suited to hold power or make decisions.

Bureaucratic

Relating to a system of government run by appointed officials following strict rules and procedures rather than elected representatives.

Totalitarian

A system in which the state seeks total control over public and private life, allows no opposition, and uses propaganda and force.

Radical

Favouring extreme or sweeping change to the political, social, or economic system.

Liberty

The freedom to think, speak, act, and live without undue government restriction; a core liberal value.

Popular Vote

The total number of votes cast for a candidate or party by the people across the whole country or region.

Electoral Reform

Changes made to the way elections are conducted, such as changing the voting system to make it fairer or more representative.

Constituency

A geographic voting district whose residents elect a representative; also called a riding.

Legislation

Laws or bills created and passed by a legislative body.

Censored

Having information, speech, or media suppressed or removed by the government or other authority.

Freedom of Press

The right of media to report and publish without government interference or censorship.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws and policies instead of through elected representatives.

Apathy

Lack of interest or concern; in politics, citizens not caring about or participating in voting and political issues.

First Past The Post

Voting system where the candidate with the most votes (a plurality) in a constituency wins, even without a majority.

Proportional Representation

Voting system where parties receive seats in proportion to the percentage of votes they receive.

Dissidents

People who openly oppose or criticize government policy, especially in non-democratic states.

Party Solidarity

The expectation that members of a political party vote together and support the party position (party discipline).

Political Franchise

The right to vote in elections.

Minority Government

A government formed by a party that has the most seats but not a majority; it needs support from other parties to pass legislation.

Majority Government

A government formed by a party that holds more than half of the seats in the legislature, allowing it to pass laws more easily.

Responsible Government

A system where the executive (cabinet) must keep the confidence of the elected legislature and is accountable to it, or must resign.

Regulation

Rules or laws made by government to control or manage activities, businesses, or behaviour.

Polarized

Divided into two sharply opposing groups with very different views and little common ground.

Divergent Viewpoints

Different or opposing opinions and perspectives on an issue.

Referendum

A direct vote by the whole electorate on a single question or issue.

Intolerance

Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one's own.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to a particular party or cause, often at the expense of compromise or objectivity.

Single-Party Plurality

A situation where one party wins the most seats (a plurality) without a majority, or where one party dominates the political system.

Separation of Power

Dividing government power among separate branches (legislative, executive, judicial) so no one branch has too much power.

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone, including government and leaders, is subject to and accountable under the law, which is applied fairly.

Accountability

The obligation of governments and officials to explain and justify their actions to the people and face consequences.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect officials to make laws and decisions on their behalf.

Majority Tyranny

When the majority uses its power to oppress or ignore the rights and interests of minority groups.

Minority Tyranny

When a small group holds disproportionate power and imposes its will on the majority.

Coup d'Etat

A sudden, often violent and illegal overthrow of a government, usually by the military or a small group.

Republic

A state in which power rests with the people and their elected representatives, with an elected head of state rather than a monarch.

Illiberal Democracies

Countries that hold elections but restrict rights and freedoms, weaken courts and media, and limit checks on government power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system where a monarch is head of state but real power is limited by a constitution and exercised by elected government.

Egalitarian

Based on the belief that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Lobby Groups

Organizations that try to influence government decisions and legislation on behalf of a particular interest.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote regardless of gender, race, wealth, or social status.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms that let each branch of government limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse of power.

Disillusioned

Disappointed and having lost faith in the political system or leaders because they did not meet expectations.

Coalition Government

A government formed by two or more parties that agree to work together, usually when no party holds a majority.

Plutocracy

A system in which the wealthy hold the power and influence over government.

Montesquieu

French philosopher who argued for the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.

Divergent

Tending to differ, develop in different directions, or disagree.