Parliamentary System (Système parlementaire) (PAHR-luh-MEN-tuh-ree SIS-tuhm)
System where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.
The UK operates under a parliamentary system.

Presidential System (Système présidentiel) (PREZ-i-DEN-shuhl SIS-tuhm)
System where the president is both head of state and head of government, separate from the legislature.
The United States has a presidential system.

Federalism (Fédéralisme) (FED-uh-ruh-liz-uhm)
System of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
Canada's government structure is based on federalism.

Unicameralism (Unicaméralisme) (YOO-nee-KAM-uh-ruh-liz-uhm)
Practice of having one legislative or parliamentary chamber.
New Zealand has a unicameral parliament.

Bicameralism (Bicaméralisme) (BYE-kam-uh-ruh-liz-uhm)
Practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers.
The United States Congress is bicameral.

Constitutional Monarchy (Monarchie constitutionnelle) (KON-sti-TOO-shuh-nuhl MON-ar-kee)
System where a monarch's powers are limited by a constitution.
The role of the monarch in a constitutional monarchy is often symbolic.

Authoritarianism (Autoritarisme) (uh-THOR-i-TAIR-ee-uh-niz-uhm)
Form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.
Authoritarianism often involves suppression of political opposition.

Totalitarianism (Totalitarisme) (toh-TAL-i-TAIR-ee-uh-niz-uhm)
Political system where the state holds total authority over all aspects of public and private life.
Totalitarianism seeks to control every facet of society.

Welfare State (État-providence) (WEL-fair stayt)
System in which the government plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens.
Many European countries are considered welfare states.

Secular State (État laïc) (SEK-yuh-ler stayt)
State that is neutral on matters of religious belief and does not endorse any particular religion.
France is an example of a secular state.

Suffrage (Suffrage) (SUHF-rij)
Right to vote in political elections.
Universal suffrage means all adult citizens have the right to vote.

Ballot (Bulletin de vote) (BAL-uht)
Slip of paper on which a voter records their choice.
She cast her ballot in the local election.

Polling Station (Bureau de vote) (POHL-ing STAY-shuhn)
Place where voters go to cast their votes in an election.
The polling station was located in the community hall.

Electoral Register (Liste électorale) (ih-LEK-tor-uhl REJ-is-ter)
Official list of people entitled to vote in an election.
Make sure your name is on the electoral register.

Proportional Representation (Représentation proportionnelle) (pruh-POR-shuh-nuhl rep-ri-zen-TAY-shuhn)
Electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.
Many European countries use proportional representation.

First-Past-the-Post (Scrutin majoritaire uninominal à un tour) (furst-past-thuh-POHST)
Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
The UK uses the first-past-the-post system.

Gerrymandering (Charcutage électoral) (JER-ee-MAN-der-ing)
Manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class.
Gerrymandering can distort the outcome of elections.

Voter Turnout (Taux de participation électorale) (VOH-ter TURN-owt)
Percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.
Voter turnout was low in the recent local elections.

Electoral College (Collège électoral) (ih-LEK-tor-uhl KOL-ij)
Body of electors chosen to elect the president and vice president in the US.
The role of the Electoral College is often debated.

By-election (Élection partielle) (BYE-ih-LEK-shuhn)
Election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between general elections.
A by-election was called after the MP resigned.

United Nations (Nations Unies) (yoo-NYE-tid NAY-shuhnz)
International organization founded in 1945 committed to maintaining international peace and security.
The United Nations plays a crucial role in global diplomacy.

European Union (Union européenne) (YOO-ruh-PEE-uhn YOON-yuhn)
Political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
The European Union has a significant impact on trade and legislation.

NATO (OTAN) (NAY-toh)
Military alliance of North American and European countries.
NATO was formed after World War II to provide collective security.

World Bank (Banque mondiale) (wurld bangk)
International financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
The World Bank aims to reduce poverty and support development.

International Monetary Fund (Fonds monétaire international) (in-tur-NASH-uh-nuhl MUHN-i-ter-ee fuhnd)
International financial institution that promotes global monetary cooperation, financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty.
The International Monetary Fund provides financial assistance to countries in crisis.

World Trade Organization (Organisation mondiale du commerce) (wurld trayd or-guh-nuh-ZAY-shuhn)
International organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations.
The World Trade Organization works to lower trade barriers.

International Court of Justice (Cour internationale de justice) (in-tur-NASH-uh-nuhl kawrt uhv JUHS-tis)
Principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
The International Court of Justice settles disputes between states.

Amnesty International (Amnesty International) (AM-nuh-stee IN-ter-NASH-uh-nuhl)
International non-governmental organization focused on human rights.
Amnesty International campaigns against human rights abuses.

Human Rights Watch (Human Rights Watch) (HYOO-muhn ryts wotch)
International non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
Human Rights Watch publishes reports on human rights situations around the world.

G7 (G7) (JEE-sev-uhn)
Intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The G7 leaders meet annually to discuss global issues.