📚 Year 11 Cambridge Politics: Key Terms Quick Memory Guide | Year 11 剑桥政治：词汇术语速记指南
Mastering political terminology is the first step to success in Cambridge Year 11 Politics. This guide breaks down must-know terms into bite-sized explanations with memory hacks to help you recall them rapidly and accurately during revision and exams.
掌握政治学术语是剑桥 Year 11 政治学成功的第一步。本指南将必知术语拆解为小块解释，并附带记忆技巧，帮助你在复习和考试中快速准确地回忆。
1. State and Sovereignty | 国家与主权
A state is a political entity that possesses a permanent population, a defined territory, a functioning government, and sovereignty. Use the acronym ‘PTGS’ – Population, Territory, Government, Sovereignty – to remember the four essential features.
国家是拥有常住人口、确定领土、运转政府和主权的政治实体。用首字母缩写 “PTGS” (人口、领土、政府、主权) 来记这四个基本特征。
Sovereignty means supreme legal authority within a territory. Externally, no other state can command it; internally, it is the highest law-making power. Think ‘Sovereign is Supreme, no boss outside borders’.
主权意味着领土内最高法律权威。对外，没有其他国家可以对其发号施令；对内，它是最高立法权。记住 “主权即最高，边境之外无上司”。
A nation is a group based on shared identity – language, culture or history – while a state is a legal-political unit. Not every nation has a state (e.g., Kurds). Memory hook: ‘Nation = hearts, State = charts’.
民族是基于共同身份(语言、文化、历史)的群体，而国家是法律政治单位。并非每个民族都有国家(例如库尔德人)。记忆钩子：”民族靠心灵，国家靠文件”。
2. Government and Governance | 政府与治理
Government refers to the set of institutions that make and enforce laws. Governance is broader – it includes all processes of decision-making, whether formal or informal. Link ‘Government is the machine, governance is how it runs’.
政府是指制定和执行法律的一套机构。治理范围更广，它包含了所有正式或非正式的决策过程。联系记忆：”政府是机器，治理是运转”。
The rule of law means that everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law. It prevents arbitrary rule. Picture a ruler labelled ‘Law’ standing above even the prime minister.
法治意味着人人(包括领导人)都受法律约束。它防止任意统治。想象一把标着”法律”的尺子，高悬在首相头顶。
Separation of powers divides state authority into three branches – legislature (makes law), executive (implements law), and judiciary (interprets law) – to avoid tyranny. Recall ‘LEJ’ (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary).
分权将国家权力分为三个分支 – 立法(制定法律)、行政(执行法律)、司法(解释法律) – 以避免暴政。记 “立法-行政-司法” (LEJ)。
3. Democracy | 民主
Direct democracy means citizens vote on each law personally. Ancient Athens is the classic example, but large modern states rarely practise it. Memory cue: ‘Direct = people directly push buttons on laws’.
直接民主意味着公民亲自对每一条法律投票。古代雅典是经典例子，但现代大国很少实行。记忆提示：”直接 = 人民直接按下法律按钮”。
Representative democracy sees citizens elect others to decide on their behalf. Most democracies today are representative. Think ‘elect a voice, not a vote on every choice’.
代议制民主中，公民选举他人代表自己作决定。如今多数民主国家是代议制的。记住 “选一个声音，而非对每个选项投票”。
Liberal democracy combines free and fair elections with protection of individual rights, rule of law and checks on power. Key phrase: ‘Liberty + elections = liberal democracy’.
自由民主将自由公平的选举与保护个人权利、法治和权力制衡结合起来。关键词组：”自由 + 选举 = 自由民主”。
4. Political Ideologies | 政治意识形态
Liberalism champions individual freedom, equality of opportunity and limited government. Remember ‘Liberal = Liberty’ for the core emphasis on personal autonomy.
自由主义推崇个人自由、机会平等和有限政府。把”自由”与”自由主义”联系，核心在于个人自主。
Conservatism values tradition, social order and gradual change. It is often cautious about rapid reform. Memory hook: ‘Conserve what works’.
保守主义重视传统、社会秩序和渐进变革。它往往对急剧改革持谨慎态度。记忆钩子：”保留有效的” (Conserve)。
Socialism advocates collective ownership and greater equality, often through state intervention. Think ‘Social ownership = socialism’ to contrast with private ownership.
社会主义主张集体所有制和更大平等，通常通过国家干预实现。用 “社会所有 = 社会主义” 来对照私有制。
Fascism is an extreme right-wing ideology emphasising aggressive nationalism, dictatorial leader and suppression of opposition. It is anti-freedom. Simply remember ‘Fascism = forceful control’.
法西斯主义是极右意识形态，强调极端民族主义、独裁领袖和镇压异见。它反对自由。简明记忆”法西斯 = 强力控制”。
5. The Legislature | 立法机关
The legislature makes and amends laws. It is often called parliament, congress or assembly. A bicameral legislature has two chambers (e.g., House of Commons and House of Lords). ‘Bi = two’ helps recall.
立法机关制定和修改法律。常被称作议会、国会或大会。两院制立法机关有两个议院(如下院和上院)。”Bi- = 二” 帮助回忆。
A unicameral legislature has only one chamber. Countries like New Zealand use this. Contrast with bicameral for speed and efficiency.
一院制立法机关只设一个议院。新西兰等国使用这一体制。与两院制相比，通常决策更快。
A bill is a proposal for a new law. Once a bill passes all stages in the legislature and receives formal approval, it becomes an act of parliament. Link ‘Bill = baby law; Act = adult law’.
议案是新法律的提案。议案在立法机关通过所有阶段并得到正式批准后，就成为议会法令。联系：”议案 = 婴儿法；法令 = 成人法”。
6. The Executive | 行政机关
The executive branch implements laws and runs the state day-to-day. It includes the head of state (e.g., monarch or president) and head of government (e.g., prime minister). Imagine ‘Executive = action arm’.
行政机关执行法律并日常管理国家。它包括国家元首(如君主或总统)和政府首脑(如首相)。想象”行政机关 = 行动臂”。
In parliamentary systems, the cabinet is composed of senior ministers chosen by the prime minister. It makes key policy decisions. Collective responsibility means all ministers publicly support decisions. Memorise ‘Cabinet = team of top decision-makers’.
在议会制中，内阁由首相挑选的高级部长组成。它作出重大决策。集体负责制意味着所有部长公开支持决定。记住”内阁 = 高层决策团队”。
A presidential system separates the head of state and head of government into one person, directly elected. The US model is the prime example. Recall ‘President = both ceremonial and executive power’.
总统制将国家元首和政府首脑合为一职，由直接选举产生。美国模式是典型例子。回忆”总统 = 仪式性权力加行政权力”。
7. The Judiciary | 司法机关
The judiciary interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly. Judicial independence means courts are free from interference by other branches. Think ‘Judges blind to politics’.
司法机关解释法律并确保其公正实施。司法独立意味着法院不受其他分支干涉。想象”法官对政治视而不见”。
Judicial review empowers courts to check whether laws or executive actions are constitutional. The Supreme Court can strike down incompatible legislation. Memory: ‘Judicial review = legal sieve for constitutionality’.
司法审查赋予法院审查法律或行政行为是否合宪的权力。最高法院可推翻不符合宪法的立法。记忆：”司法审查 = 合宪性法律筛子”。
The rule of law relies on an independent judiciary; courts must be accessible and decisions legally reasoned. A simple chain links them: ‘Independent judges → fair trials → rule of law’.
法治依赖于独立的司法；法院必须可访问且裁决有法律依据。一个简单链条：”独立的法官 → 公正审判 → 法治”。
8. Political Parties and Party Systems | 政党与政党制度
A political party is an organised group that seeks to gain power by winning elections. Parties have manifestos – documents outlining their policies. Remember ‘Promise list = manifesto’.
政党是有组织团体，旨在通过赢得选举获取权力。政党有宣言——概述其政策的文件。记住”承诺清单 = 宣言”。
Left-wing parties generally support social equality, bigger welfare state and government intervention. Right-wing parties favour free markets, lower taxes and traditional values. Use the economic axis: ‘Left = more state, Right = more market’.
左翼政党通常支持社会平等、更大福利国家和政府干预。右翼政党偏好自由市场、低税收和传统价值观。借助经济轴：”左 = 更多国家，右 = 更多市场”。
Party systems vary: dominant-party system has one consistently ruling party; two-party system (e.g., USA) alternates power; multi-party system (e.g., Germany) requires coalitions. Mental image: ‘1 boss, 2 rivals, or many cooks’.
政党制度各异：一党独大制有一个持续执政党；两党制(如美国)权力轮替；多党制(如德国)需要联合政府。心理图像：”一个老板、两个对手、或多个厨师”。
9. Elections and Voting Systems | 选举与投票制度
The franchise (suffrage) is the right to vote. Universal adult suffrage means all citizens above a certain age can vote regardless of gender, wealth or race. Think ‘Everyone gets a voice (if adult)’.
选举权(普选权)是投票的权利。普选制意味着所有年满一定年龄的公民不论性别、财富或种族皆可投票。记住”每个成年人都有声音”。
First-past-the-post (FPTP) awards the seat to the candidate with the most votes in a single-member constituency. It can create ‘winner-takes-all’ results. Memory: ‘First to cross the line wins, even by a nose’.
简单多数制(FPTP)将席位授予单一选区中得票最多的候选人。它可产生”赢家通吃”的结果。记忆：”第一个撞线者胜，哪怕只赢一鼻之差”。
Proportional representation (PR) allocates seats according to the percentage of votes parties receive. It often leads to coalition governments. Recall ‘Percentage of votes ≈ percentage of seats’.
比例代表制(PR)按政党得票百分比分配席位。它常导致联合政府。回忆”得票率 ≈ 席位率”。
A referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate decides on a specific issue. Key example: Brexit referendum. Think ‘Question goes straight to the people’.
全民公投是全体选民就特定议题直接投票。关键例子：英国脱欧公投。想象”问题直达人民”。
10. Constitutions and Civil Liberties | 宪法与公民自由
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles according to which a state is governed. A codified constitution is written in a single document (e.g., USA), while an uncodified one is spread across statutes, conventions and judicial decisions (e.g., UK). ‘Codified = one book; uncodified = scattered’.
宪法是一套治理国家的基本原则。成文宪法写在一部单一文件中(如美国)，不成文宪法则分散在法规、惯例和司法判决中(如英国)。”成文 = 一本书；不成文 = 分散各处”。
An entrenched constitution is one that is difficult to amend, requiring supermajorities or referendums. It protects certain core rules from easy change. ‘Entrenched = dug in deep, hard to move’.
刚性宪法难以修改，需要绝对多数或公投。它保护某些核心规则不被轻易改动。”刚性 = 深埋地下，难以撼动”。
Civil liberties are freedoms that protect individuals from government overreach, such as freedom of speech, assembly and privacy. Often listed in a bill of rights. Use ‘Liberties = limits on state power’.
公民自由是保护个人免受政府过度干涉的自由，如言论、集会和隐私自由。常列于权利法案中。用”自由 = 限制国家权力”助记。
Human rights are universal moral rights regardless of nationality, affirmed by documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They go beyond a single state. Link ‘Human rights = global moral floor’.
人权是普遍的道德权利，不问国籍，由《世界人权宣言》等文件确认。它们超越单个国家。联系”人权 = 全球道德底线”。
Published by TutorHao | Politics Revision Series | aleveler.com
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