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ACT Humanities - Politics and Legislature

Learn ACT humanities vocabulary for politics and legislation, including government, elections, lawmakers, policies, political institutions, and the creation of laws.

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ACT Vocabulary for Humanities
Congress
Congress
[noun]

the legislative body of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Ex: Congress passed a new healthcare bill. 
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confederacy

a group of people or political organization united by a common cause

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turnout
turnout
[noun]

the percentage or number of eligible voters who actually cast their vote

Ex: The election saw a high voter turnout, with over 75% of eligible voters participating. 
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democracy
democracy
[noun]

a form of government where the power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives

Ex: In a democracy, all citizens have the right to express their opinions freely and participate in decision-making processes. 
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colony
colony
[noun]

a country or territory politically controlled by another, more powerful country

Ex: India was once a British colony. 
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realm
realm
[noun]

a country or territory ruled by a monarch

Ex: The king traveled throughout the realm to meet his subjects. 
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party
party
[noun]

an official political group with shared beliefs, goals, and policies aiming to be a part of or form a government

Ex: The political party held a rally to mobilize supporters and promote its platform ahead of the upcoming election. 
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senator
senator
[noun]

a person elected to serve in a Senate, the upper house of a legislature

Ex: The senator spoke about new healthcare legislation. 
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proposition

a proposal, offer, or suggestion presented for consideration, especially in business

Ex: The investor made Sarah an attractive business proposition. 
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summit
summit
[noun]

a formal meeting between leaders of governments or other high-ranking officials

Ex: Several world leaders attended the economic summit. 
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propaganda

information and statements that are mostly biased and false and are used to promote a political cause or leader

Ex: The regime used propaganda to control the narrative and maintain public support. 
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statute
statute
[noun]

a written law formally enacted by a legislative body

Ex: The new statute limits the use of personal data. 
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pact
pact
[noun]

a formal agreement between parties, particularly to help one another

Ex: The two countries signed a defense pact to ensure mutual protection against external threats. 
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nomination

the process of officially selecting a candidate for either an election or bestowing an honnor

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secession
secession
[noun]

the formal act of breaking away from a larger political entity or organization

Ex: The secession of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 resulted in significant geopolitical tensions. 
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commonwealth

a politically organized body of people under a single government, typically emphasizing the common good

Ex: The commonwealth enacted new laws for public welfare. 
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principality

a territory or state ruled by a prince, often smaller than a kingdom but with a degree of political independence

Ex: Monaco is a renowned principality famous for its luxury and glamorous lifestyle. 
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manifesto
manifesto
[noun]

a written public declaration of intentions, opinions, and objectives, often issued by a political party, a government, or a group of individuals with a shared interest or purpose

Ex: The activists issued a manifesto to rally support for their cause. 
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delegation

the act or process of giving work, responsibility, or authority to another person

Ex: Effective delegation allows managers to focus on higher-level decisions. 
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embargo
embargo
[noun]

an official order according to which any commercial activity with a particular country is banned

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hyperpartisanship

an extreme allegiance to a particular political party or ideology

Ex: The increasing hyperpartisanship in Congress has made it difficult to pass bipartisan legislation. 
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bipartisanship

agreement and collaboration between two major political parties that typically oppose each other's policies

Ex: The healthcare reform bill was a result of rare bipartisanship, with both parties working together to address the needs of the public. 
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municipal
municipal
[Adjective]

involving or belonging to the government of a city, town, etc.

Ex: The municipal government announced plans to improve public transportation infrastructure in the city. 
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electoral
electoral
[Adjective]

related to voting, elections, or the process of choosing representatives through voting mechanisms

Ex: The electoral system determines how representatives are chosen to serve in government. 
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Democrat
Democrat
[noun]

a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the United States

Ex: She has been a Democrat for most of her adult life. 
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liberal
liberal
[Adjective]

related to or characteristic of a political ideology that emphasizes individual freedoms, equality, and government intervention for social welfare and economic opportunity

Ex: His liberal views prioritize tolerance, diversity, and progressive social change. 
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Republican

a member or supporter of the Republican Party in the United States

Ex: She has been a Republican for many years. 
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conservative
conservative
[Adjective]

holding a political view that supports free enterprise, limited government spending and traditional social views

Ex: The conservative candidate focused on fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending. 
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self-governing
self-governing
[Adjective]

(of a territory, organization, etc.) making decisions regarding one's internal affairs without external interference

Ex: Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, managing its own domestic policies while Denmark handles foreign affairs. 
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transnational
transnational
[Adjective]

operating or involving activities across multiple countries or nations

Ex: Transnational corporations have global operations and supply chains. 
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communist
communist
[Adjective]

relating to an ideology or political system advocating for the collective ownership of property and the absence of social classes

Ex: The communist government implemented policies aimed at achieving economic equality and social justice. 
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federal
federal
[Adjective]

relating to the central government of a country rather than the local or regional governments

Ex: Federal laws apply uniformly across the entire country. 
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interstate
interstate
[Adjective]

involving or relating to the interactions or relationships between states within a country or federation

Ex: The interstate highway system facilitates travel and commerce between states in the United States. 
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homeland
homeland
[noun]

the place where someone or a group of people come from and feel a strong connection to

Ex: After years of living abroad, she returned to her homeland to visit family. 
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authoritarian
authoritarian
[Adjective]

(of a person or system) enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of individual freedom

Ex: The authoritarian regime tightly controls the media and suppresses dissenting voices. 
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consular
consular
[Adjective]

associated with matters or activities of a consulate or consul, particularly the representation and protection of a country's citizens and interests in a foreign city or region

Ex: The consular services at the embassy in Paris assisted stranded tourists during the travel disruption. 
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precolonial
precolonial
[Adjective]

relating to the period in a region's history before it was colonized by foreign powers

Ex: The precolonial era in Africa was marked by the rise and fall of various powerful kingdoms and empires. 
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to pass
to pass
[Verb]

to make or accept a law by voting or by decree

Ex: In 1996, Congress unanimously passed the Food Quality Protection Act. 
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policy
policy
[noun]

a set of ideas or a plan of action that has been chosen officially by a group of people, an organization, a political party, etc.

Ex: The government introduced a new fiscal policy to stimulate economic growth. 
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referendum

a public vote in which people in a country or area decide or express their opinion on an important political or social question

Ex: The government announced a referendum on the proposed constitutional change. 
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treaty
treaty
[noun]

an official agreement between two or more governments or states

Ex: The two countries signed a peace treaty to end decades of conflict and establish diplomatic relations. 
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amendment
amendment
[noun]

a formal change or addition made to a law, constitution, contract, or other legal document

Ex: Congress approved an amendment to the existing law. 
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constitution

the official laws and principles by which a country or state is governed

Ex: The constitution of this country guarantees freedom of speech and the separation of powers among its branches of government. 
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tenure
tenure
[noun]

a period or condition of holding a position

Ex: After years of research and teaching, she finally achieved tenure as a professor at the university. 
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inauguration

a formal ceremony at which a person is admitted to office

Ex: The inauguration of the new president was attended by thousands of spectators gathered on the National Mall. 
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to reign
to reign
[Verb]

to rule a country or territory as a monarch

Ex: Queen Victoria reigned for more than sixty years. 
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mandate
mandate
[noun]

the legality and power given to a government or other organization after winning an election

Ex: After winning the election with a significant majority, the new government claimed a strong mandate to implement their policies. 
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chamber
chamber
[noun]

a formal meeting place where discussions or decisions take place, particularly within a administrative or judicial context

Ex: The Senate chamber was filled with lawmakers debating the new bill. 
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prime minister

the head of government in parliamentary democracies, who is responsible for leading the government and making important decisions on policies and law-making

Ex: The Prime Minister addressed the nation to announce new economic measures aimed at boosting employment. 
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