Society & Government

20 words

1. 1

   media biasnoun phrase/ˈmiːdiə ˈbaɪəs/

   When news outlets favour one side or present information with a slant.

   “Many viewers complained about apparent media bias in the coverage.”

2. 2

   separation of powerscollocation/ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən əv ˈpaʊəz/

   The principle of dividing government authority among separate branches (legislative, executive, judiciary) so no one branch becomes too powerful.

   “A clear separation of powers helps prevent abuse by any single branch of government.”

3. 3

   checks and balancescollocation/ˌtʃeks ənd ˈbælən.sɪz/

   A system in which different branches of government limit each other's powers to prevent abuse.

   “Strong checks and balances can stop one branch dominating the state.”

4. 4

   digital dividenoun phrase/ˈdɪdʒɪtəl dɪˈvaɪd/

   The gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not.

   “The pandemic exposed the digital divide when many students lacked home internet.”

5. 5

   rule of lawnoun phrase/ruːl əv lɔː/

   the principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable under the law

   “Independent courts are essential to maintain the rule of law.”

6. 6

   wealth redistributionnoun phrase/wɛlθ ˌriːˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/

   Policies that transfer income or assets from richer to poorer groups to reduce inequality.

   “Progressive taxation is a common tool for wealth redistribution.”

7. 7

   institutional accountabilitynoun phrase

   The obligation of institutions to explain, justify and take responsibility for their actions.

   “Improving institutional accountability helps to reduce corruption.”

8. 8

   mass surveillancenoun phrase/mæs səˈveɪləns/

   Extensive monitoring of a large population, usually by governments or corporations using technology.

   “Mass surveillance programmes collect data from millions of devices.”

9. 9

   grassroots movementnoun phrase/ˈɡræsˌruːts ˈmuːvmənt/

   A political or social campaign that starts at the local level and is driven by ordinary people.

   “The environmental grassroots movement pressured the council to protect the wetlands.”

10. 10

    social mobilitycollocation/ˌsəʊ.ʃəl məʊˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

    The ability of people or groups to move up or down the social and economic ladder.

    “Improving access to quality education can increase social mobility.”

11. 11

    social safety netnoun phrase/ˌsəʊʃəl ˈseɪfti nɛt/

    government programs (benefits, unemployment insurance, etc.) that protect people in financial hardship

    “During the crisis the government expanded the social safety net to help families pay their bills.”

12. 12

    transparent governancecollocation/ˈtræns.pə.rənt ˈɡʌv.ən.əns/

    Open and clear management of public affairs so that decisions and actions are visible to the public.

    “Transparent governance helps reduce corruption by making decisions public.”

13. 13

    voter registrationcollocation/ˈvəʊ.tər ˌredʒ.ɪˈstreɪ.ʃən/

    The process by which eligible citizens sign up to be able to vote in elections.

    “The charity ran a campaign to boost voter registration among young people.”

14. 14

    civil unrestcollocation/ˈsɪv.əl ʌnˈrest/

    A state of public disorder such as protests, strikes, or riots in which social peace is disturbed.

    “After the disputed election, civil unrest spread to the capital.”

15. 15

    civil disobediencenoun phrase/ˌsɪvɪl dɪsəˈbiːdiəns/

    the practice of nonviolent refusal to obey certain laws as a form of protest

    “Many civil disobedience campaigns have been crucial in gaining civil rights.”

16. 16

    economic sanctionscollocation/ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk ˈsæŋk.ʃənz/

    Measures such as trade bans or financial restrictions imposed on a country to influence its behaviour.

    “The UN threatened economic sanctions if the country refused to negotiate.”

17. 17

    tax evasionnoun phrase/tæks ɪˈveɪʒən/

    illegal methods of not paying taxes by hiding income or falsifying information

    “The company was fined for tax evasion after an audit found undeclared profits.”

18. 18

    public-private partnershipcollocation

    A collaboration between government and private companies to fund, build, or manage a public project or service.

    “The new hospital was built through a public-private partnership.”

19. 19

    special interest groupsnoun phrase/ˌspɛʃəl ˈɪntrəst ɡruːps/

    organised groups that try to influence public policy to benefit their members or causes

    “Special interest groups lobbied the parliament to change the tax law.”

20. 20

    campaign financenoun phrase/kæmˈpeɪn ˈfaɪnæns/

    the money raised and spent to support political campaigns and the rules that govern that money

    “Campaign finance regulations limit how much individuals can donate to a candidate.”