Politics & Power — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about politics & power — parliaments, policy and the state. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

1. parliament/ˈpɑː.lə.mənt/

   “The new law passed through parliament.”

2. legislation/ˌledʒ.ɪˈsleɪ.ʃən/

   “The legislation protects workers.”

3. constitution/ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/

   “The constitution guarantees free speech.”

4. diplomacy/dɪˈpləʊ.mə.si/

   “The crisis was solved through diplomacy.”

5. sovereignty/ˈsɒv.rɪn.ti/

   “The nation defended its sovereignty.”

6. regime/reɪˈʒiːm/

   “The regime fell after the protests.”

7. dictatorship/dɪkˈteɪ.tə.ʃɪp/

   “They lived under a dictatorship.”

8. referendum/ˌref.əˈren.dəm/

   “Voters decided in a referendum.”

9. coalition/ˌkəʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/

   “A coalition government was formed.”

10. opposition/ˌɒp.əˈzɪʃ.ən/

    “The opposition criticised the budget.”

11. nominee/ˌnɒm.ɪˈniː/

    “She is the party’s nominee.”

12. ballot/ˈbæl.ət/

    “They cast their ballot in secret.”

13. constituency/kənˈstɪt.ju.ən.si/

    “He represents a rural constituency.”

14. legislature/ˈledʒ.ɪ.slə.tʃə/

    “The legislature debated the bill.”

15. bureaucracy/bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si/

    “Too much bureaucracy slows things down.”

16. ideology/ˌaɪ.diˈɒl.ə.dʒi/

    “The party has a clear ideology.”

17. governance/ˈɡʌv.ən.əns/

    “Good governance reduces corruption.”

18. corruption/kəˈrʌp.ʃən/

    “Corruption damaged the economy.”

19. tyranny/ˈtɪr.ən.i/

    “The people rose against tyranny.”

20. liberty/ˈlɪb.ə.ti/

    “They fought for liberty.”

21. monarchy/ˈmɒn.ə.ki/

    “Britain is a constitutional monarchy.”

22. republic/rɪˈpʌb.lɪk/

    “France is a republic.”

23. federal/ˈfed.ər.əl/

    “The federal government sets the rules.”

24. sanction/ˈsæŋk.ʃən/

    “The committee imposed a sanction.”

25. treaty/ˈtriː.ti/

    “The two nations signed a treaty.”

26. alliance/əˈlaɪ.əns/

    “The countries formed an alliance.”

27. summit/ˈsʌm.ɪt/

    “World leaders met at the summit.”

28. cabinet/ˈkæb.ɪ.nət/

    “The prime minister chose a new cabinet.”

29. legislate/ˈledʒ.ɪ.sleɪt/

    “Parliament will legislate on the issue.”

30. mandate/ˈmæn.deɪt/

    “The government has a clear mandate.”

31. partisan/ˈpɑː.tɪ.zən/

    “The debate became very partisan.”

32. activist/ˈæk.tɪ.vɪst/

    “The activist led the campaign.”

33. lobby/ˈlɒb.i/

    “Companies lobby the government.”

34. veto/ˈviː.təʊ/

    “The president used his veto.”

35. amendment/əˈmend.mənt/

    “They proposed an amendment to the law.”

36. delegate/ˈdel.ɪ.ɡət/

    “Each country sent a delegate.”

37. statesman/ˈsteɪts.mən/

    “He was a respected statesman.”

38. autonomy/ɔːˈtɒn.ə.mi/

    “The region was granted autonomy.”

39. censorship/ˈsen.sə.ʃɪp/

    “Censorship limits free speech.”

40. dissent/dɪˈsent/

    “The leader would not tolerate dissent.”

41. nationalism/ˈnæʃ.ən.əl.ɪ.zəm/

    “Nationalism was rising across Europe.”

42. populist/ˈpɒp.jə.lɪst/

    “A populist leader won the vote.”

43. legitimacy/lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mə.si/

    “The election gave him legitimacy.”

44. accountability/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

    “Voters demand accountability.”

45. manifesto/ˌmæn.ɪˈfes.təʊ/

    “The party published its manifesto.”

46. suffrage/ˈsʌf.rɪdʒ/

    “Women won the right to suffrage.”

47. impeach/ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

    “They voted to impeach the president.”

48. govern/ˈɡʌv.ən/

    “It is hard to govern a divided country.”

49. politician/ˌpɒl.ɪˈtɪʃ.ən/

    “The politician made many promises.”

50. diplomat/ˈdɪp.lə.mæt/

    “The diplomat negotiated the deal.”