Politics

emigration

the process of leaving a country permanently and going to live in another one

immigration

the act of someone coming to live in a different country

migration

the process of people (and other animals) travelling to a new place to live, usually in large numbers

refugee

a person who has escaped from their own country for political, religious, or economic reasons or because of a war

asylum seeker

someone who leaves their own country, often for political reasons or because of war, and who travels to another country hoping that the government will protect them and allow them to live there

ethnic cleansing

the organized, often violent attempt by a particular cultural or racial group to completely remove from a country or area all members of a different group

multicultural society

society which includes people who have many different customs and beliefs

homogeneous society

society consisting of people that are similar to each other, race- and ethnic-wise; e.g. Poland

ethnic minority

a particular group of people with a shared culture, tradition, language, history, etc. living in a country where most people are from a different ethnic group

melting pot

a place where many different people and ideas exist together, often mixing and producing something new

cultural diversity

the fact of including many different types of customs, beliefs, etc.

the influx of refugees into Europe

a sudden arrival of large numbers of people seeking a place to live in Europe

pull factors

something that attracts people to a place or an activity

push factors

something that makes people want to leave a place

to flee persecution/oppressive conditions

to escape cruel treatment, especially because of one’s religious or political beliefs

to milk the welfare system

to get as much money and privileges as you can from the governmental help programmes

republic

a state governed by representatives and, usually, a president

monarchy

a state ruled by a king or queen

democracy

government of, by and for the people

dictatorship

system of government run by a dictator

independence

freedom from outside control; self-governing

Member of Parliament (MP)

a representative of the people in Parliament

politician

someone for whom politics is a career

statesman/stateswoman

a skilled, experienced, and respected political leader or figure

Prime Minister

the head of government or leading minister in many countries

chamber

hall used by a group of legislators; many countries have two of such

cabinet

a committee of the most important ministers in the government

President and Vice-President

the head of state in many modern states

Mayor

head of a town or city council

ambassador

top diplomat representing his/her country abroad

embassy

the building where an ambassador and their staff are based

ministry

a department of state headed by a minister.

Elections constituency

a political area whose inhabitants are represented by one MP

policy

the programme of action of a particular party or government

majority

the number of votes by which a person wins an election

referendum

a direct vote by the population on some important public issue

by(e)-election

an election in one constituency in contrast to a General Election; to replace a politician who has left parliament or died

marginal seat

a parliamentary seat held by a very small majority of votes

the opposition

members of parliament who do not belong to the party in power

stand/run for Parliament

to be a candidate in an election

vote

to choose in a formal way, e.g. by marking a ballot paper

elect

to choose someone or something by voting

candidate

someone who stands in an election