Political vocabulary covers key terms used to discuss government, elections, policies, and power structures in English.
Political vocabulary includes essential terms used to describe government systems, elections, laws, parties, and political ideas. This guide covers 50+ key words that appear in news, debates, and everyday discussions about politics.
The government section introduces words for different types of rule and main political roles.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| government | governments | The government makes the laws. | El gobierno hace las leyes. |
| democracy | democracies | Democracy gives power to the people. | La democracia da poder al pueblo. |
| republic | republics | The country is a republic. | El país es una república. |
| monarchy | monarchies | A monarchy is ruled by a king or queen. | Una monarquía es gobernada por un rey o una reina. |
| dictator | dictators | The dictator controls the country. | El dictador controla el país. |
| president | presidents | The president gives a speech. | El presidente da un discurso. |
| prime minister | prime ministers | The prime minister leads the government. | El primer ministro dirige el gobierno. |
| parliament | parliaments | The parliament debates new laws. | El parlamento debate nuevas leyes. |
| congress | congresses | Congress votes on the bill. | El congreso vota sobre el proyecto. |
| cabinet | cabinets | The cabinet meets every week. | El gabinete se reúne cada semana. |
The elections section includes words for voting, candidates, and election processes.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| election | elections | The election is next month. | La elección es el próximo mes. |
| vote | votes | Every citizen can vote. | Todo ciudadano puede votar. |
| candidate | candidates | The candidate gave a debate. | El candidato dio un debate. |
| campaign | campaigns | The campaign lasted six weeks. | La campaña duró seis semanas. |
| ballot | ballots | The ballot is secret. | La papeleta es secreta. |
| poll | polls | Polls show the candidate is leading. | Las encuestas muestran que el candidato va ganando. |
| turnout | — | Voter turnout was high. | La participación electoral fue alta. |
| referendum | referendums | The referendum decides the issue. | El referéndum decide el asunto. |
| primary | primaries | She won the primary election. | Ella ganó las elecciones primarias. |
| incumbent | incumbents | The incumbent has an advantage. | El titular tiene una ventaja. |
La ___ es el próximo mes.
What is the term for the official process of choosing someone for a job, often in politics?
election
An election is the official process of selecting leaders, different from campaigns or polls.
This section covers common political party names and related terms.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| party | parties | She belongs to a political party. | Ella pertenece a un partido político. |
| left-wing | — | The left-wing supports social programs. | La izquierda apoya programas sociales. |
| right-wing | — | The right-wing focuses on business. | La derecha se enfoca en los negocios. |
| centrist | centrists | Centrists seek compromise. | Los centristas buscan compromiso. |
| liberal | liberals | Liberals want more government role. | Los liberales quieren más papel del gobierno. |
| conservative | conservatives | Conservatives value tradition. | Los conservadores valoran la tradición. |
| socialist | socialists | Socialists advocate for equality. | Los socialistas abogan por la igualdad. |
| populist | populists | The populist appeals to common people. | El populista apela a la gente común. |
| coalition | coalitions | The parties formed a coalition. | Los partidos formaron una coalición. |
| nomination | nominations | His nomination surprised many. | Su nominación sorprendió a muchos. |
This section explains common terms for political decisions, laws, and government actions.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| policy | policies | The new policy affects taxes. | La nueva política afecta los impuestos. |
| law | laws | Laws must be obeyed. | Las leyes deben cumplirse. |
| bill | bills | The bill passed the senate. | El proyecto pasó por el senado. |
| constitution | constitutions | The constitution protects rights. | La constitución protege derechos. |
| regulation | regulations | Regulations control pollution. | Las regulaciones controlan la contaminación. |
| reform | reforms | The government promised reform. | El gobierno prometió reformas. |
| veto | vetoes | The president used his veto power. | El presidente usó su poder de veto. |
| executive order | executive orders | The executive order changed policy. | La orden ejecutiva cambió la política. |
| amendment | amendments | They proposed an amendment. | Propusieron una enmienda. |
| judiciary | — | The judiciary interprets laws. | El poder judicial interpreta las leyes. |
These are general ideas and terms frequently used in political discussions.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| democracy | democracies | We live in a democracy. | Vivimos en una democracia. |
| absolutism | — | Absolutism concentrates power in one ruler. | El absolutismo concentra el poder en un solo gobernante. |
| federalism | — | Federalism divides power between states and government. | El federalismo divide el poder entre estados y gobierno. |
| checks and balances | — | Checks and balances prevent abuse of power. | Los controles y equilibrios previenen abusos de poder. |
| sovereignty | — | National sovereignty is important. | La soberanía nacional es importante. |
| populism | — | Populism can challenge established elites. | El populismo puede desafiar a las élites establecidas. |
| impeachment | — | The official faced impeachment. | El funcionario enfrentó un juicio político. |
| diplomacy | — | Diplomacy avoids war. | La diplomacia evita la guerra. |
| nationalism | — | Nationalism promotes pride in one's country. | El nacionalismo promueve el orgullo por el propio país. |
| ideology | ideologies | Political ideology shapes beliefs. | La ideología política moldea creencias. |
Los controles y ___ previenen abusos de poder.
What can prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
balances
Checks and balances ensure power is distributed and no branch dominates.
This section introduces terms for groups and actions that seek political change.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| protest | protests | The protest was peaceful. | La protesta fue pacífica. |
| revolution | revolutions | The revolution changed the government. | La revolución cambió el gobierno. |
| activism | — | Activism raises awareness. | El activismo crea conciencia. |
| boycott | boycotts | They organized a boycott. | Organizaron un boicot. |
| strike | strikes | Workers went on strike. | Los trabajadores hicieron huelga. |
| suffrage | — | Women's suffrage was a major victory. | El sufragio femenino fue una gran victoria. |
| rebellion | rebellions | The rebellion was quickly suppressed. | La rebelión fue rápidamente suprimida. |
| advocacy | — | She works in human rights advocacy. | Ella trabaja en defensa de los derechos humanos. |
| grassroots | — | The movement started at the grassroots level. | El movimiento comenzó a nivel de base. |
| civil disobedience | — | Civil disobedience challenges unjust laws. | La desobediencia civil desafía leyes injustas. |
These are words for talking about how countries interact politically.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| diplomacy | — | Diplomacy maintains peaceful relations. | La diplomacia mantiene relaciones pacíficas. |
| treaty | treaties | The countries signed a treaty. | Los países firmaron un tratado. |
| alliance | alliances | The alliance strengthened security. | La alianza fortaleció la seguridad. |
| sanction | sanctions | Sanctions were imposed on the country. | Se impusieron sanciones al país. |
| ambassador | ambassadors | The ambassador represents their nation abroad. | El embajador representa a su país en el extranjero. |
| embassy | embassies | The embassy provides consular services. | La embajada ofrece servicios consulares. |
| summit | summits | Leaders met at the summit. | Los líderes se reunieron en la cumbre. |
| globalization | — | Globalization connects economies worldwide. | La globalización conecta economías en todo el mundo. |
| peacekeeping | — | Peacekeeping forces monitor ceasefires. | Las fuerzas de mantenimiento de la paz supervisan los ceses de fuego. |
| protocol | — | Diplomatic protocol guides formal interactions. | El protocolo diplomático guía las interacciones formales. |
This section names common political jobs and activities.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| politician | politicians | Many politicians seek public support. | Muchos políticos buscan apoyo público. |
| diplomat | diplomats | Diplomats negotiate international agreements. | Los diplomáticos negocian acuerdos internacionales. |
| activist | activists | Activists organize community events. | Los activistas organizan eventos comunitarios. |
| lobbyist | lobbyists | Lobbyists influence lawmakers. | Los cabilderos influyen en los legisladores. |
| civil servant | civil servants | Civil servants implement government policies. | Los funcionarios públicos implementan políticas gubernamentales. |
| legislator | legislators | Legislators draft new laws. | Los legisladores redactan nuevas leyes. |
| mayor | mayors | The mayor spoke at the town hall. | El alcalde habló en el ayuntamiento. |
| governor | governors | The governor declared a state of emergency. | El gobernador declaró un estado de emergencia. |
| ambassador | ambassadors | Ambassadors attend international forums. | Los embajadores asisten a foros internacionales. |
| campaign manager | campaign managers | The campaign manager coordinates events. | El gerente de campaña coordina eventos. |
These words relate to how politics is reported and discussed in the media.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| headline | headlines | The election made headlines worldwide. | La elección fue titular en todo el mundo. |
| editorial | editorials | The editorial supports the candidate. | El editorial apoya al candidato. |
| columnist | columnists | The columnist writes about politics every week. | El columnista escribe sobre política cada semana. |
| broadcast | broadcasts | The debate was broadcast live. | El debate se transmitió en vivo. |
| interview | interviews | The politician gave a 30-minute interview. | El político dio una entrevista de 30 minutos. |
| press conference | press conferences | The press conference answered many questions. | La conferencia de prensa respondió muchas preguntas. |
| poll | polls | Polls predict a close race. | Las encuestas predicen una contienda cerrada. |
| headline | headlines | The scandal dominated the headlines. | El escándalo dominó los titulares. |
| op-ed | op-eds | The op-ed criticized the government's response. | El artículo de opinión criticó la respuesta del gobierno. |
| fact-checking | — | Fact-checking helps verify political claims. | La verificación de hechos ayuda a verificar las afirmaciones políticas. |
This section explains common political belief systems.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| liberalism | — | Liberalism emphasizes individual rights. | El liberalismo enfatiza los derechos individuales. |
| conservatism | — | Conservatism values tradition and order. | El conservadurismo valora la tradición y el orden. |
| socialism | — | Socialism advocates for collective ownership. | El socialismo aboga por la propiedad colectiva. |
| communism | — | Communism aims for a classless society. | El comunismo busca una sociedad sin clases. |
| fascism | — | Fascism is characterized by authoritarian rule. | El fascismo se caracteriza por un gobierno autoritario. |
| anarchism | — | Anarchism opposes all government authority. | El anarquismo se opone a toda autoridad gubernamental. |
| libertarianism | — | Libertarianism prioritizes individual freedom. | El libertarismo prioriza la libertad individual. |
| nationalism | — | Nationalism promotes loyalty to one’s country. | El nacionalismo promueve la lealtad al país. |
| progressivism | — | Progressivism seeks social reform. | El progresismo busca la reforma social. |
| populism | — | Populism claims to represent “the people” against elites. | El populismo dice representar “al pueblo” contra las élites. |
El ___ se caracteriza por un gobierno autoritario.
Which ideology values strong authoritarian leadership and suppresses opposition?
fascism
Fascism involves dictatorial control and the suppression of dissent, unlike liberalism or anarchism.
This political vocabulary guide covers essential terms for understanding English discussions about government, elections, parties, policies, roles, media, ideologies, and international relations. Understanding these words builds a foundation for following news, debates, and conversations around the world.
Flashcards (1 of 100)
- English Singular: government
- English Plural: governments
- English Example: The government makes the laws.
- English Example (Translated): El gobierno hace las leyes.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
