📚 Glossary of Key Political Terms for Year 7 SQA Politics | Year 7 SQA 政治：核心术语速记指南
Learning politics is like learning the rules of a big game where everyone in society is a player. To understand how decisions are made, how laws are passed, or why we vote, you first need to know the key words – the vocabulary of power, rights, and government. This guide brings together 50 essential political terms, clearly explained in English and Chinese, to help you build a strong foundation for your Year 7 SQA Politics course. Whether you are revising for a test or just curious about how the world works, these vocabulary cards will help you remember the terms quickly and use them confidently.
学习政治就像学习一场大型游戏规则，社会中的每个人都是参与者。要理解决策如何做出、法律如何通过，或者我们为什么要投票，你首先需要掌握关键词汇——关于权力、权利和政府的词汇。本指南汇集了50个必学的政治术语，用清晰的英汉双语解释，帮你为Year 7 SQA政治课程打下坚实基础。无论你是在准备考试还是单纯好奇世界如何运转，这些词汇速记卡片都能助你快速记忆并自信使用。
1. Government and the State | 政府与国家
A government is the group of people who make and enforce laws for a country, region, or community. In the UK, the government is led by the Prime Minister and based in Westminster.
政府是指为国家、地区或社区制定和执行法律的一群人。在英国，政府由首相领导，设在威斯敏斯特。
The state is a broader idea: it includes the government, the territory, the population, and the institutions that run a country. Even if the government changes, the state remains.
国家是一个更广泛的概念：它包括政府、领土、人口以及管理国家的制度。即使政府更迭，国家依然存在。
Sovereignty means the supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself. The UK Parliament is sovereign, meaning it can make or end any law.
主权是指一个国家拥有最高权力来治理自己。英国议会拥有主权，意味着它可以制定或废除任何法律。
A constitution is a set of rules and principles that define how a country is governed. The UK has an uncodified constitution – it is not written in a single document but comes from laws, customs, and court decisions.
宪法是一套界定国家如何治理的规则和原则。英国拥有一部不成文宪法——它并非写在一份单一文件中，而是来自法律、习惯和法院判决。
The rule of law means that everyone, including the government, must follow the law. No one is above the law, and laws should be clear, fair, and enforced equally.
法治意味着包括政府在内的所有人都必须遵守法律。任何人不能凌驾于法律之上，法律应清晰、公平并平等执行。
2. Democracy and Voting | 民主与投票
Democracy is a system of government where the people have a say, usually by voting in elections. The word comes from the Greek ‘demos’ (people) and ‘kratos’ (rule).
民主是一种人民拥有发言权的政府体制，通常通过选举投票来体现。这个词源自希腊语的 “demos”（人民）和 “kratos”（统治）。
In a representative democracy, citizens elect politicians to make decisions on their behalf. The UK and Scotland both use this system.
在代议制民主中，公民选举政治家代表自己做出决策。英国和苏格兰都采用这一制度。
A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to decide on a single issue, such as the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
公投是一种直接投票，全体选民被要求就单一议题做出决定，例如2014年苏格兰独立公投。
The franchise is the right to vote in public elections. In Scotland, 16- and 17-year-olds now have the franchise for Scottish Parliament and local elections.
选举权是指在公共选举中投票的权利。在苏格兰，16岁和17岁的公民现在拥有苏格兰议会和地方选举的投票权。
Turnout refers to the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a vote. High turnout is often seen as a sign of a healthy democracy.
投票率指有资格的选民中实际投票的人所占百分比。高投票率通常被视为健康民主的标志。
3. Political Systems and Ideologies | 政治体制与意识形态
Monarchy is a system where a king or queen is the head of state. The UK is a constitutional monarchy, meaning the monarch’s powers are limited by law and Parliament.
君主制是由国王或女王担任国家元首的制度。英国是君主立宪制，意味着君主的权力受到法律和议会的限制。
A republic is a country without a monarch; the head of state is usually a president, such as in Ireland or the United States.
共和国是没有君主的国家；国家元首通常是总统，例如爱尔兰或美国。
Political ideology is a set of beliefs about how society should work. Left-wing ideas often support equality and government action, while right-wing ideas tend to favour individual freedom and lower taxes.
政治意识形态是关于社会应该如何运作的一套信仰。左翼理念通常支持平等和政府干预，而右翼理念倾向于个人自由和降低税收。
Capitalism is an economic system where businesses and property are privately owned, and profit drives decisions. Socialism argues for shared ownership and greater social equality.
资本主义是一种企业和财产由私人拥有的经济制度，利润驱动决策。社会主义则主张共享所有制和更大的社会平等。
A coalition government is formed when no single party wins enough seats to govern alone, so two or more parties work together. In Scotland, the SNP once governed with the Scottish Greens under a cooperation agreement.
当没有任何单一政党赢得足够席位来单独执政时，就会形成联合政府，两个或多个政党共同合作。在苏格兰，苏格兰民族党曾与苏格兰绿党根据合作协议联合治理。
4. Rights and Responsibilities | 权利与责任
Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, such as the right to life, education, and free speech. The Human Rights Act 1998 brings the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
人权是属于每一个人的基本权利和自由，例如生命权、教育权和言论自由权。1998年《人权法案》将《欧洲人权公约》纳入英国法律。
A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something. Responsibilities are duties we have towards others, like obeying the law or paying taxes.
权利是拥有或做某事的道德或法律资格。责任是我们对他人负有的义务，例如遵守法律或纳税。
Civil liberties are protections against government actions, such as freedom from arbitrary arrest. They help keep the state’s power in check.
公民自由是针对政府行为的保护，例如免遭任意逮捕。它们有助于制约国家权力。
The freedom of speech allows people to express opinions without censorship. However, this right may be limited to protect others, such as laws against hate speech.
言论自由允许人们不受审查地表达意见。然而，这项权利可能会为了保护他人而受到限制，比如禁止仇恨言论的法律。
Equality before the law means that no matter your background, wealth, or status, you should be treated the same in the legal system.
法律面前人人平等意味着无论你的出身、财富或地位如何，在法律体系中都应受到同等对待。
5. The UK Parliament | 英国议会
The UK Parliament is the supreme law-making body. It has three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch (though the Monarch’s role today is mainly ceremonial).
英国议会是最高立法机构。它由三部分组成：下议院、上议院和君主（尽管当今君主的角色主要是礼仪性的）。
The House of Commons is made up of elected Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent constituencies. The Commons is the more powerful chamber.
下议院由代表选区的当选议员 (MP) 组成。下议院是权力更大的议院。
The House of Lords includes life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers. It revises legislation and acts as a check on the Commons, but it cannot permanently block Bills.
上议院包括终身贵族、主教和世袭贵族。它负责修订立法并作为对下议院的制约，但不能永久阻挠法案。
A Bill is a proposal for a new law. It must be debated and approved by both Houses and then receive Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament.
法案是新法律的提案。它必须在两院辩论并通过，然后获得御准才能成为议会法令。
The Prime Minister is the head of the UK government, usually the leader of the party with the most MPs. They choose ministers and set the government’s direction.
首相是英国政府首脑，通常是拥有最多议员席位的政党领袖。他们选定大臣并确定政府方向。
6. The Scottish Parliament and Devolution | 苏格兰议会与权力下放
Devolution is the transfer of certain powers from the UK Parliament to national parliaments, such as the Scottish Parliament. Scotland can make laws on health, education, and transport, but not on foreign affairs or defence.
权力下放是指将某些权力从英国议会移交给国家议会，比如苏格兰议会。苏格兰可以在卫生、教育和交通等领域制定法律，但不能涉及外交或国防。
The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh. It has 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected through a mixed system of constituency and regional votes.
苏格兰议会设在爱丁堡的荷里路德。它有129名苏格兰议会议员 (MSP)，通过选区投票和地区投票相结合的混合选举制产生。
The First Minister is the head of the Scottish Government, chosen by MSPs. The First Minister appoints Cabinet Secretaries to lead on areas like health and education.
首席部长是苏格兰政府首脑，由苏格兰议会议员选出。首席部长任命内阁部长负责卫生和教育等领域。
Devolved powers include education, health, environment, and local government. Reserved powers, like currency, defence, and immigration, remain with the UK Parliament.
下放权力包括教育、卫生、环境和地方政府。保留权力，如货币、国防和移民，仍属于英国议会。
A Scottish statutory instrument is a form of secondary legislation made by the Scottish Government to put laws into practice, similar to regulations.
苏格兰法定文件是苏格兰政府为实施法律而制定的一种次级立法，类似于法规。
7. Elections and Representation | 选举与代表
A general election is when voters choose MPs for the House of Commons. In Scotland, there are 57 UK parliamentary constituencies. Elections must be held at least every five years.
大选是选民为下议院选择议员的时候。在苏格兰，有57个英国议会选区。大选至少每五年举行一次。
The constituency is a geographic area represented by one elected official. During an election, candidates compete to win the most votes in each constituency.
选区是由一名当选官员代表的地理区域。选举期间，候选人在每个选区内竞争以赢得最多选票。
First-past-the-post is the electoral system used for UK general elections. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they have less than 50% of the total.
简单多数制是英国大选采用的选举制度。在一个选区中得票最多的候选人获胜，即使其得票率低于50%。
Proportional representation is used for the Scottish Parliament’s regional list. It aims to match the share of seats a party gets more closely to its share of votes.
比例代表制用于苏格兰议会的地区名单选举。它旨在使政党获得的席位比例更接近其得票比例。
A manifesto is a document published by a party before an election, listing its promises and policies. Voters can compare manifestos to decide whom to support.
竞选宣言是政党在选举前发布的一份文件，列出其承诺和政策。选民可以比较各党宣言来决定支持谁。
8. Law and Justice | 法律与司法
Legislation is another word for laws made by Parliament. An Act of Parliament is primary legislation; regulations made under an Act are secondary legislation.
立法是议会制定的法律的另一种说法。议会法令是主要立法；根据法令制定的法规是次级立法。
The judiciary is the system of courts and judges. It is independent from the government and Parliament. Judges interpret the law and ensure justice is done.
司法机构是法院和法官系统。它独立于政府和议会。法官解释法律并确保正义得以伸张。
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations, such as contract problems. Criminal law deals with actions seen as harmful to society, like theft or assault.
民法处理个人或组织之间的纠纷，如合同问题。刑法处理被视为对社会有害的行为，如盗窃或袭击。
A jury is a group of ordinary citizens who listen to evidence in serious criminal cases and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
陪审团是一群普通公民，他们在严重刑事案件中听取证据，并裁定被告有罪还是无罪。
Justice means fairness and the principle that people get what they deserve under the law. The phrase ‘access to justice’ means everyone should be able to use the legal system.
正义意味着公平以及人们在法律下得到应有对待的原则。”诉诸司法” 意味着每个人都应能够使用法律系统。
9. Political Participation and Citizenship | 政治参与与公民身份
Citizenship is the legal status of being a member of a particular country, with rights like voting and responsibilities like obeying the law. It can be gained by birth or through a formal process.
公民身份是作为某个特定国家成员的法律地位，拥有投票等权利和遵守法律等责任。它可以通过出生或正式程序获得。
Political participation is any activity that tries to influence government decisions. It goes beyond voting and includes signing petitions, protesting peacefully, or contacting an MSP.
政治参与是试图影响政府决策的任何活动。它超越投票，包括签署请愿书、和平抗议或联系苏格兰议会议员。
A pressure group is an organisation that campaigns to change laws or policies on a specific issue, like Greenpeace for the environment. They do not usually seek to win elections.
压力团体是为改变某一特定议题的法律或政策而开展运动的组织，比如环保领域的绿色和平组织。它们通常不寻求赢得选举。
Lobbying is when individuals or groups try to persuade politicians to support their cause. It can happen through meetings, letters, or public campaigns.
游说是个人或团体试图说服政治家支持其事业的活动。它可以通过会议、信件或公共运动来进行。
Activism involves taking direct action to bring about political or social change, such as marches, boycotts, or online campaigning. It is a vital part of democratic life.
行动主义涉及采取直接行动来实现政治或社会变革，例如游行、抵制或线上运动。它是民主生活的重要组成部分。
10. International Relations and Global Politics | 国际关系与全球政治
Foreign policy is a government’s strategy for dealing with other countries. It covers diplomacy, trade, security, and aid. The UK has a foreign policy, but Scotland also develops its own international engagement.
外交政策是一国政府与其他国家打交道的策略。它涵盖外交、贸易、安全和援助。英国有自己的外交政策，但苏格兰也发展了自己的国际交往。
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation. Most countries are members.
联合国 (UN) 是一个成立于1945年的国际组织，旨在促进和平、安全与合作。世界上大多数国家都是其成员。
Treaty is a formal agreement between countries, often covering issues like climate change or trade. The Paris Agreement is an important climate treaty.
条约是国家之间的正式协议，通常涉及气候变化或贸易等问题。《巴黎协定》就是一项重要的气候条约。
Sanctions are measures taken by countries to pressure another government to change its behaviour, such as trade bans or freezing assets, without using military force.
制裁是各国为施压另一国政府改变其行为而采取的措施，比如贸易禁令或冻结资产，而不使用军事力量。
Globalisation is the process by which the world becomes more connected through trade, culture, and technology. It affects everything from the food we eat to the jobs we do.
全球化是世界通过贸易、文化和技术变得更加相互联系的过程。它影响从我们吃的食物到我们从事的工作等方方面面。
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