C1 Russian words and phrases for society, politics, government, the justice system and the media, each with a short English explanation.
госуда́рство (с)
state: a political organisation with a government and laws over a territory
суверенитет (м)
sovereignty: a state's independence from outside control
конститу́ция (ж)
constitution: a country's basic law that sets out how it is governed
демокра́тия (ж)
democracy: government in which power belongs to the people through elections
авторита́ризм (м)
authoritarianism: rule in which one leader or group holds absolute power
парламент (м)
parliament: the legislature where the people's representatives sit
депута́т (м)
deputy, member of parliament: elected to represent the people
сенато́р (м)
senator: a member of the upper house of parliament
избира́тель (м)
voter: a person with the right to vote in elections
полити́ческая па́ртия (ж)
political party: an organisation of people with shared political ideas
оппози́ция (ж)
opposition: a group that challenges the government's policies
идеоло́гия (ж)
ideology: a system of political beliefs and values
консервати́зм (м)
conservatism: an ideology that favours preserving traditions
либерали́зм (м)
liberalism: an ideology that supports individual freedoms and pluralism
социали́зм (м)
socialism: an ideology of collective ownership of production
капитали́зм (м)
capitalism: an economic system based on private ownership
корру́пция (ж)
corruption: dishonesty through bribery or abuse of power
бюрократи́я (ж)
bureaucracy: a system of officials and complicated procedures
са́нкция (ж)
sanction: a penalty on a country or person for breaking rules
конфли́кт (м)
conflict: a dispute or war between countries or groups
мир (м)
peace: a state of calm without conflict (also: world)
ми́рный (прил.)
peaceful: related to peace and non-violence (adj.)
конве́нция (ж)
convention: an international agreement that sets rules
манда́т (м)
mandate: authority given to a leader by the electorate
плебисци́т (м)
plebiscite, referendum: a direct popular vote on an important question
лобби́рование (с)
lobbying: influencing decision-makers for a particular interest
администра́ция (ж)
administration: a body of officials running government offices
правосу́дие (с)
justice: the legal system and fairness
суд (м)
court: an institution that decides matters according to the law
прокуро́р (м)
prosecutor: a legal official who represents the state in court
адвока́т (м)
lawyer, defence attorney: represents a person or group in court
подозрева́емый (м)
suspect: a person suspected of committing an offence
обвиня́емый (м)
the accused, defendant: a person formally charged with an offence
сви́детель (м)
witness: a person who was present when an event happened
пре́сса (ж)
the press: newspapers and news agencies
свобо́да сло́ва (ж)
freedom of speech: the right to speak and express opinions freely
журнали́ст (м)
journalist: a writer who reports on current affairs
опро́с мне́ния (м)
opinion poll: a survey of public opinion on a topic
проте́ст (м)
protest: public opposition to something
дискри́минация (ж)
discrimination: unfair treatment of a group or person based on their characteristics