GT-8-Politics 1

bicameralism

noun: a political system where the legislature (parliament/congress) has two separate chambers (houses).

• United States has:

  • the Senate

  • the House of Representatives

• United Kingdom has:

  • the House of Lords

  • the House of Commons

unicameralism

noun: a political system where the legislature (parliament/congress) has only one legislative chamber (house).

senate

noun: the upper chamber of a bicameral legislature

It typically:

• reviews and votes on laws

• represents regions/states

• has longer terms and fewer members than the lower house

house of representitives

noun: the lower chamber in many bicameral legislatures, whose members represent the population of districts or regions.

Compared to a senate, it usually:

• has more members

• represents population more directly

• has shorter election terms

senator

noun: member of the Senate

Representative

noun: member of the House of Representatives

• ——is the safest and most official term.

• Congressman/Congresswoman is still common in speech and media, but slightly less formal/institutional.

incumbent

adj/noun: the current office holder

“The —— president is seeking reelection.”

lawmaker

noun: a person who makes laws; a member of a legislative body

Examples include senators, representatives, MPs, and assembly members.

• more common in news/media

• slightly more conversational/plain English

on Capitol Hill

col: (a political expression meaning) in the US Congress or among US federal lawmakers/government circles

“There is growing support for the bill ——”

constituent

noun: a person who is represented by an elected official

For example, if you live in a district, you are a —— of your representative or senator.

“Many —— complained about rising housing costs.”

legislator

noun: a person who makes laws; a member of a legislative body

• slightly more formal/technical

• often used in legal, academic, or governmental contexts

legislature

noun: the official lawmaking body of a country or state

• In United States, the —— is Congress (the Senate + House of Representatives).

introduce a bill

colo: the formal proposal/introduction of a bill, motion, or agenda

발의

also

“The lawmaker ——.”

amendment

noun: a change or addition made to a law, bill, constitution, or official document

• modifying a proposed bill before it becomes law

• changing an existing law or constitution

bill

noun: a proposed law that is being discussed before it officially becomes law

veto

verb/noun: the official power to reject a bill or decision

Usually exercised by a president, governor, or similar executive leader.

“The president —— the bill.”

• override a —— → lawmakers pass the bill despite the veto

enact

verb: to officially make a bill into law

“Parliament —— new environmental regulations.”

rally

noun: a large public gathering where people show political support, protest, or enthusiasm

populism

noun: political style claiming to represent “ordinary people” against elites

gridlock

noun: a situation where opposing sides cannot make progress because they block each other

“Congress is in —— over the budget.”

bureaucracy

noun: a system of administration run by officials, departments, and procedures

“Government —— slowed the project.”

referendum

noun: direct public vote on a specific issue

“The country held a —— on independence.”

rhetoric

noun: the art of speaking or writing effectively and persuasively

persuasive political language/speaking style

“The campaign used anti-elite ——.”

grassroots

adj: originating from ordinary people at the local/community level rather than from elites or top leadership

In politics, it describes movements, campaigns, or support that grow “from the bottom up.”

“The protest began as a —— campaign.”

faction

noun: a smaller group within a larger political group

“The party is divided into several factions.”

consensus

noun: general agreement among people

“There is broad consensus on the issue.”

dissent

noun: disagreement with official opinion or authority

“Democratic party expressed strong——toward new tax cuts.”

inauguration

noun: the formal ceremony where someone officially begins an important position, especially a political office

“The presidential —— was held in January.”

filibuster

noun: a tactic where lawmakers delay or block a vote by speaking for a very long time or using procedural obstruction

“The senator threatened a ——.”

electorate

noun: all eligible voters in a country or district

“Young voters make up a growing share of the ——.”