📚 IGCSE CCEA Government and Politics: Quick Vocabulary Memorisation Guide | IGCSE CCEA 政治:词汇术语速记指南
Mastering the terminology of IGCSE CCEA Government and Politics is a decisive step towards exam success. This guide presents essential terms grouped by topic, with clear English definitions, memory hooks, and paired Chinese explanations – so you can learn, recall, and apply them with confidence. Each term is stripped down to its core meaning, linked to a visual or word-root clue, and reinforced in both languages for deeper retention.
掌握 IGCSE CCEA 政治学的术语是迈向考试成功的关键一步。这份指南按主题整理了必备词汇,提供清晰的英文定义、助记线索和配对的中文解释——助你轻松学习、准确回忆、自信运用。每个术语都浓缩了最核心的含义,并配有图像或词根联想,用双语反复加固记忆。
1. Key Concepts of Democracy | 民主核心概念
Democracy – A political system in which the people hold ultimate power, either directly or through elected representatives. Memory aid: ‘demo-‘ (people) + ‘-cracy’ (rule) = rule by the people.
民主 – 一种由人民拥有最终权力的政治制度,可直接行使权力或通过选举代表行使。记忆窍门:’demo-‘(人民)+ ‘-cracy’(统治)= 人民统治。
Legitimacy – The rightful authority of a government or political system, usually gained through free and fair elections. A government with legitimacy is accepted by the governed. Memory aid: ‘legit’ = lawful, recognised.
合法性 – 政府或政治制度所具有的正当权威,通常通过自由、公正的选举获得。具备合法性的政府会得到被统治者的接受。助记:’legit’ 表示合法、被承认。
Accountability – The obligation of those in power to explain their actions and accept responsibility for them. In a democracy, ministers are accountable to Parliament and ultimately the electorate. Memory aid: ‘account’ = to give an account of one’s actions.
问责制 – 掌权者有义务解释其行为并为此承担责任。在民主制度中,大臣向议会负责,并最终向选民负责。助记:’account’ 意思是报告自己的行为。
Suffrage – The right to vote in public elections. Universal suffrage means all adult citizens have this right, regardless of gender, race, or wealth. Memory aid: ‘suffrage’ sounds like ‘suffer’, but no one should suffer to vote!
选举权 – 在公共选举中投票的权利。普选权意味着所有成年公民不论性别、种族或财富都享有这一权利。助记:’suffrage’ 发音类似 ‘suffer’(受苦),但不必吃苦才能投票!
2. Political Participation | 政治参与
Referendum – A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to decide on a specific proposal, often a constitutional change. Memory aid: ‘refer’ = ask the people, ‘-endum’ = thing to be done.
全民公投 – 让全体选民直接投票决定某一具体提案,通常是宪法层面的变革。助记:’refer’ 询问人民,’-endum’ 待办事项。
Pressure group – An organised group that seeks to influence government policy without seeking election itself. Think of Greenpeace or the CBI. Memory aid: they apply pressure, not power.
压力集团 – 有组织地试图影响政府政策却不谋求当选的团体,如绿色和平组织或英国工业联合会。助记:他们施加压力,而非掌握权力。
Lobbying – The activity of trying to persuade MPs, ministers, or officials to support a particular cause or policy. Memory aid: originally, people met MPs in the lobby of Parliament.
游说 – 试图说服议员、大臣或官员支持某项事业或政策的活动。助记:最初,人们在议会的门厅(lobby)与议员碰面。
Civil society – The arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values, distinct from government and business. Charities and community groups are part of civil society. Memory aid: ‘civil’ = citizens acting together.
公民社会 – 围绕共同利益、宗旨和价值观进行的非强制集体行动领域,区别于政府与企业。慈善机构和社区团体都属于公民社会。助记:’civil’ 即公民共同行动。
3. Political Parties | 政党
Manifesto – A public declaration of a party’s policies and intentions, published before an election. If a party wins, its manifesto is seen as a mandate. Memory aid: ‘manifest’ = to make visible, as in ‘clearly stated’.
竞选纲领 – 政党在选举前公布的政策和意图公开声明。若政党胜选,其纲领被视为人民的授权。助记:’manifest’ 意为 ‘清楚表明’。
Whip – A party official responsible for ensuring discipline and attendance among its MPs. The term also refers to the instruction sent to MPs about how to vote. Memory aid: think of a ‘whip’ cracking to keep animals in line.
党鞭 / 督导员 – 负责确保本党议员遵守纪律并出席会议的党务官员;该词也指发给议员如何投票的指示。助记:想象 ‘whip’(鞭子)抽响使牧群保持队形。
Left-wing – A political position that generally supports social equality, government intervention in the economy, and progressive reform. Memory aid: in the French Revolution, radicals sat on the left side of the assembly.
左翼 – 通常支持社会平等、政府干预经济和进步的改革。助记:法国大革命时期,激进派坐在议会左侧。
Right-wing – A position favouring free markets, tradition, authority, and limited government. Memory aid: conservatives sat on the right side in the French assembly.
右翼 – 倾向支持自由市场、传统、权威和有限政府。助记:保守派在法国议会中坐在右侧。
4. Electoral Systems | 选举制度
First-past-the-post (FPTP) – An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, even if without an absolute majority. Used for UK general elections. Memory aid: like a horse race – first to cross the line wins.
简单多数制 – 一种选举制度:在每个选区获得最多票数的候选人即当选,即使未过绝对多数。用于英国大选。助记:像赛马——第一个冲过终点线的获胜。
Proportional representation (PR) – Any electoral system that allocates seats in rough proportion to the votes each party receives. Aims for a fairer reflection of voter support. Memory aid: ‘proportional’ = share matches support.
比例代表制 – 任何按各党得票比例大致分配席位的选举制度,力求更公正地反映选民支持率。助记:’proportional’ 表示份额与支持率匹配。
Single Transferable Vote (STV) – A form of PR where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate reaches the quota, the lowest is eliminated and their votes redistributed. Memory aid: your vote can transfer if your first choice doesn’t need it.
单一可转让投票制 – 一种比例代表制:选民按喜好排列候选人。若没有候选人达到法定票数,最低者被淘汰,其得票重新分配。助记:你的票可以在第一选择不需要时转让出去。
Constituency – A geographical area represented by an elected MP. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies. Memory aid: ‘constituent’ = the people living there.
选区 – 由一位当选议员代表的地理区域。英国划分为 650 个选区。助记:’constituent’ 即生活在那里的选民。
5. The Constitution | 宪法
Constitution – A set of rules and principles that define how a state is governed, the powers of institutions, and the rights of citizens. Memory aid: ‘constitute’ = to set up the framework.
宪法 – 一套规定国家治理方式、机构权力和公民权利的规则与原则。助记:’constitute’ 意为 ‘构建框架’。
Uncodified constitution – A constitution where the fundamental rules are not written down in a single document but found across statutes, conventions, and common law. The UK has an uncodified constitution. Memory aid: ‘un-‘ = not, ‘code’ = single book of law.
不成文宪法 – 基本规则未载入单一文件的宪法,而是分散于成文法、惯例和普通法中。英国即采不成文宪法。助记:’un-‘ 不,’code’ 法典。
Parliamentary sovereignty – The doctrine that Parliament is the supreme legal authority and can make or repeal any law. No other body can override its legislation. Memory aid: Parliament is sovereign – the ultimate boss.
议会主权 – 认为议会是最高法律权威,可制定或废除任何法律。任何其他机构不得推翻其立法。助记:议会至上——终极老板。
Rule of law – The principle that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law and that laws are clear, publicised, and equally enforced. Memory aid: no one is above the law – think ‘law rules’.
法治 – 每个人都须遵守法律(包括政府),且法律明确、公开、平等实施的原则。助记:无人凌驾于法律之上——’法律统治’。
6. Parliament | 议会
Bicameral – Having two legislative chambers. The UK Parliament is bicameral, comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Memory aid: ‘bi-‘ = two, ‘camera’ = chamber.
两院制 – 设有两个立法议院。英国议会为两院制,包括下议院和上议院。助记:’bi-‘ 二,’camera’ 议院。
Backbencher – An MP or Lord who does not hold a government or shadow government office. They sit on the back benches of the Commons. Memory aid: literally, a back bench – less front-line influence.
后座议员 – 不担任政府职务或影子内阁职务的议员,在下议院坐在后排席位。助记:字面意义上的后排长椅——较少的核心影响力。
Frontbencher – A minister or opposition shadow minister who sits on the front benches, directly involved in executive or alternative executive roles. Memory aid: they sit at the front, closest to the debating floor.
前座议员 – 政府大臣或反对党影子大臣,坐于前排席位,直接参与行政或替补行政角色。助记:他们坐在前面,最接近辩论区。
Speaker of the House of Commons – The presiding officer of the Commons who keeps order during debates, decides who may speak, and ensures the rules are followed. Memory aid: the Speaker is the referee, not a player.
下议院议长 – 下议院的主持官员,负责维持辩论秩序、决定发言者并确保规则得到遵守。助记:议长是裁判,不是球员。
7. The Executive and Cabinet | 行政机构与内阁
Prime Minister – The head of the UK government, appointed by the monarch but by convention the leader of the party with the most MPs in the Commons. Memory aid: ‘prime’ = first, ‘minister’ = servant of the Crown.
首相 – 英国政府首脑,由君主任命,但按惯例由下议院最多席位的政党领袖出任。助记:’prime’ 第一,’minister’ 服务于王权。
Cabinet – A committee of senior ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, collectively responsible for major government decisions. Memory aid: the prime minister’s top team – think ‘boardroom of government’.
内阁 – 由首相选出的资深大臣委员会,集体对重大政府决策负责。助记:首相的顶尖团队——想象 ‘政府的董事会’。
Collective responsibility – The convention that all cabinet ministers publicly support government decisions, even if they disagreed in private; if they cannot, they must resign. Memory aid: ‘collective’ = as one team, one voice.
集体责任制 – 惯例规定所有内阁大臣公开支持政府决定,即便私下持有异议;若无法支持则必须辞职。助记:’collective’ 即一个团队、一个声音。
Royal prerogative – The residual powers historically belonging to the monarch but now exercised by the Prime Minister and ministers, such as declaring war or granting honours. Memory aid: a ‘prerogative’ is a special right, originally royal.
皇家特权 – 历史上属于君主、如今由首相和大臣行使的剩余权力,例如宣战或颁授荣誉。助记:’prerogative’ 是特权,原归君主。
8. The Judiciary and Rights | 司法与权利
Judicial independence – The principle that judges should be free from political interference and able to make decisions based solely on the law. Memory aid: ‘independent’ judges are not under the thumb of ministers.
司法独立 – 法官应不受政治干预、仅根据法律做出裁判的原则。助记:’独立’ 的法官不受大臣左右。
Judicial review – The process by which courts examine the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies. If a decision is found to be ultra vires, it can be overturned. Memory aid: ‘review’ = the court takes a second look at a government act.
司法审查 – 法庭审查公共机构决定合法性的程序。若发现决定超越权限 (ultra vires),可予以推翻。助记:’review’ 审查,法院对政府行为进行 ‘二次审视’。
Ultra vires – Latin for ‘beyond the powers’; describes an action by a public body that goes beyond the authority granted by law. Memory aid: ‘ultra’ = beyond, ‘vires’ = powers.
超越权限 – 拉丁语,意为 “超越权力”;指公共机构超出法律所授权限的行为。助记:’ultra’ 超越,’vires’ 权力。
Common law – Law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals, rather than through statutes. Precedent is central. Memory aid: law ‘common’ to all, built by judges over centuries.
普通法 / 判例法 – 法官通过法院裁决发展而来的法律,而非由成文法规定。判例是核心。助记:为所有人所 ‘共有’ 的法律,由法官数百年递筑。
9. Devolution and Local Government | 权力下放与地方政府
Devolution – The statutory transfer of powers from the central government to regional governments, like the Scottish Parliament. Memory aid: ‘de-‘ = down, ‘volution’ = rolling – rolling power downwards.
权力下放 – 中央政府依法将权力转移给地区政府,如苏格兰议会。助记:’de-‘ 向下,’volution’ 滚动——将权力向下滚动。
Devolved matters – Policy areas over which devolved bodies have primary legislative authority, such as education and health in Scotland. Memory aid: matters that have been ‘devolved’ – handed down.
下放事项 – 经权力下放的机构拥有主要立法权的政策领域,如苏格兰的教育和卫生。助记:被 ‘下放’ 的事务,即已下移。
Reserved matters – Policy areas retained by the UK Parliament, such as defence and foreign affairs. Memory aid: these matters are ‘reserved’ for central government.
保留事项 – 仍由英国议会保留的政策领域,如国防和外交事务。助记:这些事务为中央政府所 ‘保留’。
Local council – An elected body responsible for delivering local services, such as waste collection, housing, and planning. Memory aid: ‘local’ government close to your doorstep.
地方议会 – 选举产生的机构,负责提供当地服务,如垃圾收集、住房和规划。助记:’local’ 即家门口的政府。
10. The UK and the Wider World | 英国与国际社会
Sovereignty – The supreme and independent authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference. In the UK context, often linked to parliamentary sovereignty. Memory aid: ‘sovereign’ = supreme ruler, no one higher.
主权 – 一个国家自主治理、不受外部干涉的最高独立权威。在英国语境中常与议会主权相联系。助记:’sovereign’ 君主,意为最高统治者,无人能凌驾其上。
Supranational – An organisation or authority that is above national governments, making decisions binding on member states. The European Union was partly supranational. Memory aid: ‘supra-‘ = above, ‘national’ = nation.
超国家 – 凌驾于国家政府之上的组织或权威,其决定对成员国具有约束力。欧盟曾经具有部分超国家性质。助记:’supra-‘ 在……之上,’national’ 国家。
Intergovernmental – Cooperation between national governments where decisions are made by consensus and states retain their sovereignty. The United Nations is largely intergovernmental. Memory aid: ‘inter-‘ = between governments.
政府间主义 – 国家政府之间的合作,通过共识做出决策,各国保有主权。联合国基本属于政府间组织。助记:’inter-‘ 在政府之间。
Globalisation – The process by which businesses, cultures, and governments become increasingly interconnected and interdependent globally. Memory aid: ‘global’ + ‘-isation’ = making the world more interconnected.
全球化 – 企业、文化和政府日益在全球范围内相互联系并相互依存的过程。助记:’global’ 全球 + ‘-isation’ 化 = 让世界更紧密相连。
Published by TutorHao | Government and Politics Revision Series | aleveler.com
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