Year 11 AQA Politics: Key Terminology Quick-Reference Guide | AQA 政治词汇术语速记指南

📚 Year 11 AQA Politics: Key Terminology Quick-Reference Guide | AQA 政治词汇术语速记指南

Mastering the language of politics is not just about passing an exam — it unlocks the ability to debate, analyse current affairs, and understand the forces that shape our daily lives. This guide brings together the essential terms you will encounter in the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies and related politics units. By pairing clear English definitions with their Chinese equivalents and explanations, you can build a bilingual vocabulary that supports deeper comprehension and more confident written responses.

掌握政治语言不仅仅是为了通过考试，它还能赋予你辩论、分析时事以及理解塑造我们日常生活的各种力量的能力。本指南汇集了你在 AQA GCSE 公民意识课程及相关政治单元中会遇到的核心术语。通过将清晰的英文定义与中文对应词及解释配对，你可以建立双语词汇库，从而支持更深入的理解和更自信的书面答题。

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1. Core Concepts of Democracy | 民主核心概念

Democracy means “rule by the people”. In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, whereas in a direct democracy, people vote on every issue themselves.

民主意为“人民的统治”。在代议制民主中，公民选举代表替他们做出决策；而在直接民主中，人民要对每一项议题亲自投票。

Legitimacy refers to the right and acceptance of an authority to govern. A government gains legitimacy when it is elected through free and fair elections and upholds the rule of law.

合法性是指一个权威机构进行统治的权利和被认可的程度。政府通过自由公正的选举产生并维护法治，就能获得合法性。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Representative Democracy	代议制民主	Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
Direct Democracy	直接民主	Citizens vote directly on laws and policies.
Legitimacy	合法性	The recognised right to rule, often based on consent.

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2. The UK Constitution | 英国宪法

The British constitution is uncodified, meaning it is not written in a single document. Instead, it is found across statute law, common law, conventions, and authoritative works.

英国宪法是非成文宪法，这意味着它并非写在一份单一文件中。相反，它分布在成文法、普通法、宪法惯例以及权威著作之中。

Parliamentary sovereignty is a cornerstone of the constitution. It holds that Parliament is the supreme legal authority, capable of creating or ending any law.

议会主权是英国宪法的基石。该原则认定议会是最高法律权威，可以制定或废除任何法律。

The rule of law ensures that everyone, including government ministers, is subject to the law. This prevents arbitrary power and protects citizens’ rights.

法治确保所有人（包括政府大臣）都受到法律约束。这防止了专断权力，并保护公民权利。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Uncodified Constitution	非成文宪法	A constitution not contained in a single written document.
Parliamentary Sovereignty	议会主权	Parliament can pass, amend, or repeal any law.
Rule of Law	法治	Everyone is equally subject to the law.

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3. Institutions of Government | 政府机构

The UK government is formed by the political party with a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister appoints senior ministers to form the Cabinet, which is responsible for making and implementing policy.

英国政府由在下议院拥有多数席位的政党组建。首相任命高级大臣组成内阁，内阁负责制定和执行政策。

Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the elected House of Commons and the appointed House of Lords. The Commons scrutinises the government, while the Lords revises legislation.

议会是两院制，由选举产生的下议院和任命的上议院组成。下议院负责审查政府，而上议院负责修订立法。

The Civil Service is politically neutral; its officials serve the government of the day without favouring any party.

公务员队伍在政治上保持中立；其官员服务于当时的政府，不偏袒任何政党。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Cabinet	内阁	The group of senior ministers who head government departments.
House of Commons	下议院	The elected chamber of Parliament, central to law-making.
Civil Service	公务员体系	Permanent officials who implement government policy.

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4. Electoral Systems | 选举制度

First Past the Post (FPTP) is used in UK general elections. Voters choose one candidate in their constituency, and the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

领先者当选制（简单多数制）用于英国大选。选民在其选区内选择一名候选人，得票最多者胜出，即使未获得绝对多数票。

Proportional representation (PR) systems aim to match the share of seats a party wins to its vote share. AMS and STV are examples used in devolved assemblies.

比例代表制（PR）旨在使政党赢得的席位比例与其得票比例相匹配。联立制（AMS）和单记可让渡投票制（STV）是用于权力下放议会的例子。

An electoral mandate is the authority granted by voters to a party to carry out its manifesto promises.

选举授权是选民授予某政党执行其竞选宣言承诺的权力。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
First Past the Post (FPTP)	领先者当选制	Candidate with most votes wins the seat.
Proportional Representation	比例代表制	Seats match the percentage of votes cast.
Mandate	授权	Authority to govern based on election promises.

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5. Political Parties and Ideologies | 政党与意识形态

A political party is an organised group that seeks to gain power by standing candidates in elections. Parties unite around shared values and a manifesto of policy pledges.

政党是一个有组织的团体，通过提名候选人参加选举来谋求执政权。政党围绕共同的价值观和一份政策承诺宣言联合起来。

Ideologies provide the broad frameworks. Conservatism emphasises tradition and gradual change; socialism advocates for social ownership and reducing inequality; liberalism champions individual freedoms and equality of opportunity.

意识形态提供了宏观框架。保守主义强调传统与渐进变革；社会主义主张社会所有制和减少不平等；自由主义拥护个人自由和机会平等。

The media often labels parties on a left–right spectrum, though in reality many parties have mixed policies.

媒体常将政党标记在左翼—右翼光谱上，但实际上许多政党的政策是混合的。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Manifesto	竞选宣言	Published list of policies a party promises to deliver.
Conservatism	保守主义	Ideology valuing tradition, order and free markets.
Socialism	社会主义	Ideology supporting collective welfare and equality.

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6. The Justice System | 司法体系

The judiciary interprets and applies the law. In the UK, judges are independent from Parliament and the government, ensuring impartial rulings.

司法机构解释和适用法律。在英国，法官独立于议会与政府，确保裁决公正。

Judicial review allows courts to check the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies. If a minister acts beyond their powers, the court can strike down the decision.

司法审查允许法院核查公共机构所做决定的合法性。若大臣越权行事，法院可推翻该决定。

The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases and criminal cases from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

最高法院是英国民事案件以及英格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰刑事案件的终审法院。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Judiciary	司法机构	All judges who preside over courts and interpret law.
Judicial Review	司法审查	Courts examine the legality of government actions.
Supreme Court	最高法院	Highest appeal court in most of the UK.

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7. Rights and Freedoms | 权利与自由

Human rights are fundamental entitlements belonging to every person. The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, allowing citizens to bring cases in domestic courts.

人权是属于每一个人的基本权利。1998年《人权法案》将《欧洲人权公约》纳入英国法律，允许公民在国内法院提起诉讼。

Civil liberties include freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to a fair trial. These liberties are protected by law but can be restricted for reasons such as national security.

公民自由包括言论自由、集会自由以及获得公正审判的权利。这些自由受法律保护，但可因国家安全等原因受到限制。

Magna Carta, though medieval, symbolised the idea that the monarch is not above the law, influencing modern rights thinking.

《大宪章》虽为中世纪文件，却象征着君主也不能凌驾于法律之上的理念，影响了现代权利思想。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Human Rights Act 1998	1998年人权法案	Brought ECHR rights into UK domestic law.
Civil Liberties	公民自由	Individual freedoms protected from state interference.
Magna Carta	大宪章	1215 charter limiting royal power.

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8. Devolution and Local Government | 权力下放与地方政府

Devolution involves the transfer of certain powers from central Parliament to regional assemblies, such as the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. These bodies control areas like education and health.

权力下放指将特定权力从中央议会转移至地区议会，如苏格兰议会、威尔士议会和北爱尔兰议会。这些机构掌管教育、卫生等领域。

Local government in England is delivered through a structure of county councils, district councils, and unitary authorities. They are responsible for services including housing, waste collection, and planning.

英格兰地方政府通过郡议会、区议会和单一管理区的结构运行。它们负责住房、垃圾收集和规划等服务。

Local councillors are elected by residents and must balance community needs with statutory duties.

地方议员由居民选举产生，必须平衡社区需求与法定职责。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Devolution	权力下放	Transfer of powers to regional governments.
Unitary Authority	单一管理区	A single tier of local government providing all services.
Councillor	议员（地方）	Elected member of a local authority.

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9. The UK and International Organisations | 英国与国际组织

The United Kingdom remains an influential member of the United Nations, a permanent member of its Security Council. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is a military alliance that underpins collective defence.

英国依然是联合国有影响力的成员国，也是联合国安理会常任理事国。北约（北大西洋公约组织）是一个支撑集体防御的军事联盟。

Although the UK left the European Union, treaties and relationships continue to shape trade, security, and environmental cooperation. Understanding the legacy of EU membership is still needed for comprehending UK law and policy.

尽管英国已脱离欧盟，但条约与关系仍继续塑造贸易、安全与环境合作。理解欧盟成员身份的遗留影响对于理解英国法律与政策仍然是必要的。

Global governance refers to the way in which nations cooperate through institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to address issues that cross borders.

全球治理指各国通过世界贸易组织 (WTO) 等机构进行合作以应对跨境问题的方式。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
United Nations (UN)	联合国	International body promoting peace and cooperation.
NATO	北约	Defensive military alliance of North America and Europe.
Global Governance	全球治理	Cooperative frameworks managing international problems.

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10. Citizenship and Participation | 公民身份与参与

Active citizenship goes beyond obeying the law — it involves volunteering, community action, and engaging in democratic processes like voting, joining a party, or campaigning.

积极的公民意识不仅限于遵守法律，它还包括志愿服务、社区行动，以及参与投票、加入政党或开展运动等民主进程。

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. Recent UK examples include the Brexit referendum and the Scottish independence referendum.

公投是一种直接投票方式，全体选民被要求接受或拒绝某一特定提案。近年英国例子包括脱欧公投和苏格兰独立公投。

Digital participation is growing: e-petitions, online consultations, and social media campaigns can influence policymakers if they gain enough public support.

数字化参与日益增多：电子请愿、在线咨询和社交媒体运动若能获得足够公众支持，就能影响决策者。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Active Citizenship	积极公民意识	Taking part in society to improve communities.
Referendum	公投	Direct vote on a single issue by the electorate.
E-petition	电子请愿	Online petition that can trigger a parliamentary debate.

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11. The Media and Public Opinion | 媒体与公众舆论

The media is often described as the “fourth estate” because it scrutinises the government and holds power to account. A free press is vital for a functioning democracy.

媒体常被描述为”第四权力”，因为它审查政府并问责当权者。新闻自由对于正常运转的民主至关重要。

Public opinion refers to the collective views of citizens on issues of the day. Opinion polls measure this and can influence election campaigning and policy direction.

公众舆论指公民对当下议题的集体看法。民意调查对此加以衡量，并可能影响选举造势和政策走向。

Bias in the media occurs when news is reported in a way that favours a particular political perspective. Media literacy helps citizens spot bias and evaluate sources.

当新闻以偏向某一特定政治视角的方式报道时，媒体偏见便出现了。媒介素养帮助公民识别偏见并评估信息来源。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Fourth Estate	第四权力	The press as a check on the three branches of government.
Public Opinion	公众舆论	Aggregate of individual attitudes on political matters.
Media Bias	媒体偏见	Unfair leaning in news reporting.

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12. Pressure Groups and Social Movements | 压力集团与社会运动

Pressure groups are organisations that try to influence government policy without seeking elected office. They can be sectional (representing interests like trade unions) or promotional (campaigning on issues such as climate change).

压力集团是试图影响政府政策但不谋求当选官职的组织。它们可以是部门性团体（代表如工会等利益）或倡导性团体（就气候变化等问题开展运动）。

Lobbying is when groups directly contact ministers, MPs, or civil servants to argue for a change in law or policy. While legitimate, lobbying is often criticised when it is secretive.

游说是指团体直接联系大臣、议员或公务员，主张修改法律或政策。虽然游说是合法的，但当其不透明时经常受到批评。

A social movement is usually a broader, often grassroots network that seeks widespread cultural or political change, such as the Extinction Rebellion climate movement.

社会运动通常是一个更广泛的、往往是草根的网络，寻求广泛的文化或政治变革，例如“反抗灭绝”气候运动。

English Term	中文术语	Brief Definition
Sectional Group	部门性压力集团	Protects the interests of a specific section of society.
Promotional Group	倡导性压力集团	Campaigns for a cause to benefit society as a whole.
Lobbying	游说	Directly influencing policymakers with arguments and evidence.

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