C2-level Italian vocabulary on politics, society, rights and civic life, explained in English for advanced learners.
democrazia
democracy: government in which power belongs to the people; a political system based on citizen participation
dittatura
dictatorship: rule by one person or group without legitimacy or the participation of citizens
oligarchia
oligarchy: rule by a few (usually the rich or powerful)
anarchia
anarchy: a state of disorder and absence of political authority
costituzione
constitution: the founding document that sets out the principles of government and citizens' rights
suffragio universale
universal suffrage: the right of every adult to vote in elections
separazione dei poteri
separation of powers: the division of power between the legislature, the judiciary and the executive
parlamento
parliament: the legislative body of a state, with the power to make laws
senato
senate: the upper house of parliament in some countries
deputato
member of parliament, deputy: a representative of the citizens in parliament
ministro
minister: the head of a specific government ministry
elezioni
elections: the process of choosing representatives through citizens' votes
campagna elettorale
election campaign: public and media efforts to win over voters
coalizione
coalition: an alliance of parties formed to create a majority in parliament
voto di fiducia
vote of confidence: a vote to express confidence in the government; a test of parliamentary support
mozione di sfiducia
motion of no confidence: a vote to remove a government or a particular minister
riconciliazione
reconciliation: the process of improving relations between parties that were in conflict
giustizia di transizione
transitional justice: legal and social mechanisms for dealing with past crimes after a change of regime
amnistia
amnesty: an official pardon for offences, usually political ones
indulto
pardon: the reduction or cancellation of a sentence by official decision
cittadinanza
citizenship: a person's legal right to be a full member of a state
migrazioni
migration: the movement of people out of their own country to a new one
integrazione
integration: the process of including marginalised groups in mainstream society
pluralismo
pluralism: the coexistence of different opinions, religions and cultures in one society
la tolleranza
tolerance: respectful acceptance of different opinions and ways of life
discriminazione
discrimination: unfair treatment of a person because of an aspect of their identity
razzismo
racism: prejudice and discrimination based on race or ethnic origin
sessismo
sexism: discrimination based on sex; inequality between the sexes
omofobia
homophobia: prejudice and hostility towards people of a different sexual orientation
diritti umani
human rights: the basic rights of every person; universal values
libertà di espressione
freedom of expression: the right to express opinions and beliefs without fear of punishment
libertà di religione
freedom of religion: the right to hold any religion, or none
libertà di riunione
freedom of assembly: the right to gather with others for shared purposes
proprietà privata
private property: a person's right to own property for themselves
uguaglianza
equality: equal rights for every person, without distinction
equità
equity, fairness: social justice that takes account of different abilities and needs
welfare state
welfare state: a system in which the state provides health care, education and social welfare
la povertà
poverty: lack of the economic resources needed for basic living
diseguaglianza economica
economic inequality: a large gap in the distribution of wealth among people in a society
sindacalismo
trade unionism: the movement of workers organising to defend their rights
sciopero
strike: a stoppage of work by employees to demand better conditions
sovranità
sovereignty: a state's independent power; full authority over a territory