Politics is the process of making decisions for a group, and government is the system that organizes how power and authority are used. A state is a defined territory with its own government, and a nation is a group of people with a shared identity. Law is the set of rules made by a government and enforced by institutions.

Word/Phrase	Definition
politics	The process of making decisions and managing power in a group or society.
government	The system or organization that exercises authority over a community or country.
state	A territory with its own government and recognized borders.
nation	A group of people with a common identity, often linked by culture or language.
law	The rules established by a government and enforced by courts or authorities.

Many governments divide power into branches to balance authority. The executive branch carries out laws and leads the administration. The legislative branch makes laws and often controls the budget. The judicial branch interprets laws and resolves disputes.

Word/Phrase	Definition
executive	The branch that enforces laws and manages the government’s daily operations.
legislative	The branch that creates, debates, and passes laws.
judicial	The branch that interprets laws and decides legal cases.

A democracy is a system where people have power, usually through voting. A republic is a democracy where representatives are elected to make decisions. A monarchy is a system with a king or queen as head of state, and power may be limited or absolute. An authoritarian system concentrates power in one leader or a small group, often with limited political freedoms.

Word/Phrase	Definition
democracy	A system where citizens have power to choose leaders and influence laws.
republic	A system where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
monarchy	A system with a king or queen as head of state, often by inheritance.
authoritarian	A system where power is held by one leader or group with limited opposition.

An election is a process where people vote to choose leaders or decide issues. A candidate is a person who seeks to be elected to an office. A ballot is the method or paper used to record a vote. A majority is more than half of the votes, and a minority is less than half.

Word/Phrase	Definition
election	A process in which people vote to make a decision or choose officials.
candidate	A person who is competing to be chosen for a public office.
ballot	The tool or paper used to cast a vote in an election.
majority	More than half of a total number, often used to decide an outcome.
minority	Less than half of a total number, often describing a smaller group.

A parliament or congress is a legislative body that makes laws. A court is an institution where judges resolve legal disputes and interpret laws. A cabinet is a group of top officials who advise the head of government and lead major departments. A constitution is the fundamental set of principles that organizes and limits government.

Word/Phrase	Definition
parliament	A legislative body that debates and passes laws, often in a democracy.
congress	🇺🇸A legislative body, especially in the United States, that makes national laws.
court	An institution where judges decide cases and interpret the law.
cabinet	A group of senior officials who advise the head of government and run departments.
constitution	The basic rules and principles that define a government’s structure and powers.

Citizenship is the legal status of belonging to a state, with rights and duties. A right is a legal or moral entitlement protected by law, such as free speech. A duty is an obligation to act in a certain way, such as obeying laws or serving on a jury. Civil society is the network of organizations and groups that operate independently of government.

Word/Phrase	Definition
citizenship	Legal membership in a state with specific rights and responsibilities.
right	A protected entitlement, such as freedom of expression or assembly.
duty	An obligation to follow rules or contribute to the community.
civil society	Organizations and groups that represent interests outside the government.

Political vocabulary includes terms for systems, institutions, and civic roles. Knowing these words helps describe how decisions are made and how governments function. These concepts appear in news, discussions, and everyday civic life.