Definitions

Question 1

ombudsman

Answer 1

an official appointed to investigate individuals’ complaints against a company or organization, especially a public authority.

Question 2

revanchist

Answer 2

a policy of seeking to retaliate, especially to recover lost territory.
“a recipe for deep future resentment, revanchism and renewed conflict”

Question 3

particularism

Answer 3

exclusive attachment to one’s own group, party, or nation.
“such barriers are created by local particularism and privilege”

Question 4

tribune

Answer 4

an official in ancient Rome chosen by the plebeians to protect their interests.

Question 5

bi-national state

Answer 5

A bi-national state refers to a political entity or country that consists of two distinct national or ethnic groups with separate identities and often different languages, cultures, or historical backgrounds. Also known as a “one-state solution”.

Question 6

suzerainty

Answer 6

the right of a country to partly control another:
Japan acknowledged Russian suzerainty over the island of Sakhalin.

Question 7

vassal state

Answer 7

a state with varying degrees of independence in its internal affairs but dominated by another state in its foreign affairs and potentially wholly subject to the dominating state

Question 8

jurisprudence

Answer 8

the theory or philosophy of law.
a legal system.
“American jurisprudence”

Question 9

The “Chicago Principles”

Answer 9

The “Chicago Principles” refers to a set of principles that advocate for freedom of expression and open discourse on university campuses. These principles emerged from the University of Chicago’s longstanding commitment to intellectual freedom and robust debate.

Question 10

high and low politics

Answer 10

“High politics” refers to policy areas or issues that are considered of great strategic, geopolitical, or national importance. It typically encompasses matters related to security, defense, foreign policy, and economic or trade policies that have significant implications for a nation’s power, sovereignty, and international standing.

The term “high politics” is often contrasted with “low politics” or “domestic politics,” which refer to policy areas focused on social welfare, public services, and internal governance. High politics generally deals with matters that involve interactions between states, global affairs, and the exercise of political power at the international level.

Question 11

polity

Answer 11

a form or process of civil government or constitution.
“the civic humanist’s polity”

Or
an organized society; a state as a political entity.
“the period in which West Germany was a distinct polity”

Question 12

totalitarianism

Answer 12

Totalitarianism is a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens. It is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. It does not permit individual freedom.

Question 13

satrap

Answer 13

a provincial governor in the ancient Persian empire.
any subordinate or local ruler.

Question 14

Secretary of State

Answer 14

a Secretary of State is a high-ranking government official responsible for managing foreign relations and diplomacy on behalf of a country or state. They often represent their country in international affairs, conduct negotiations with other nations, and work to promote their country’s interests and values on the global stage.

Question 15

attaché

Answer 15

An attaché is a member of a diplomatic staff who serves as an expert in a particular field, such as military, cultural, economic, or political affairs. They are usually assigned to embassies or consulates and assist in promoting and maintaining bilateral relations between countries. Attachés provide specialized knowledge, analysis, and support to the diplomatic mission, contributing to a deeper understanding and cooperation between nations.

Question 16

delegate

Answer 16

A delegate is a person chosen or appointed to represent a group, organization, or government body in various official settings, such as conferences, meetings, or negotiations. Their role involves voicing the opinions, interests, and decisions of the group they represent. Delegates engage in discussions, advocate for their constituents’ positions, and seek to influence outcomes that align with the interests of the party they represent.

Question 17

undersecretary

Answer 17

An undersecretary is a high-ranking official within a government department or ministry. They hold a senior leadership position and serve as a deputy to the Secretary or Minister in charge of the department. Undersecretaries are responsible for overseeing specific areas or divisions within the department, implementing policies, managing administrative functions, and advising the Secretary on matters related to their assigned portfolio.

Question 18

horse trading

Answer 18

Horse trading is a term commonly used in politics and negotiations to describe the practice of making deals or compromises between parties to achieve mutual benefits or reach agreements. It often involves exchanging favors, concessions, or offers to secure advantages and advance interests. The term originated from the historical practice of trading horses, where negotiations were critical in arriving at fair exchanges. In a political context, horse trading is a skillful and strategic approach to reach consensus, facilitate decision-making, and navigate through complex negotiations.

Question 19

deputy

Answer 19

a parliamentary representative in certain countries.
“the deputies are chosen by the people for three years”

Question 20

presumption of denial

Answer 20

“Presumption of denial” refers to a policy or practice where government authorities assume a negative or unfavorable stance towards certain requests or applications by default. In this context, requests are typically denied unless the applicant can provide sufficient evidence or reasons to justify approval. This approach is often used in matters of national security or sensitive issues where the burden of proof lies with the requester to demonstrate eligibility or compliance with specific criteria.

Question 21

peremptory

Answer 21

not open to appeal or challenge; final.
“a peremptory order of the court”

Question 22

rump parliament

Answer 22

A “rump parliament” refers to a reduced or fragmentary legislative body that lacks its full legitimacy or authority. It originated from the English Civil War when a radical faction expelled Royalist members, creating the “Rump Parliament.” Today, the term is used metaphorically for ineffective or diminished legislatures.

Question 23

ambassador

Answer 23

an accredited diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country.
“the French ambassador to Portugal

Question 24

émigrés

Answer 24

a person who has left their own country in order to settle in another, typically for political reasons.
“Soviet émigrés and defectors”

Question 25

autocrat

Answer 25

An autocrat is a ruler or leader who holds absolute power and authority over a nation or organization. In an autocracy, the leader has unrestricted control, and decisions are made without the need for democratic processes or checks and balances. The leader’s word is typically final, and dissent or opposition may be suppressed.

Question 26

notary

Answer 26

a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions.

Question 27

green ink

Answer 27

“Green ink” refers to eccentric, obsessive, or extreme correspondence, often written with green ink. These messages may contain conspiracy theories, rants, or strange requests. They are usually disregarded due to their unusual nature and lack of rationality.

Question 28

cabal

Answer 28

a secret political clique or faction.
“a cabal of dissidents”

Question 29

statism

Answer 29

A “statist” is an individual or ideology that advocates for a strong and centralized role of the state in controlling and regulating various aspects of society, including the economy and public affairs. It often involves prioritizing state authority and intervention over individual liberties or private enterprise.

Question 30

dirigism

Answer 30

Dirigisme or dirigism is an economic doctrine in which the state plays a strong directive role contrary to a merely regulatory interventionist role over a market economy.

Question 31

iron fist and velvet glove

Answer 31

The phrase “iron fist and velvet glove” means using gentle or persuasive methods on the surface while maintaining a firm and strong approach behind the scenes. It suggests a combination of both softness and forcefulness in dealing with a situation or handling people.

Question 32

constitutional convention

Answer 32

a constitutional convention refers to an informal and non-legal process through which constitutional principles, norms, and practices are established or revised. It involves political actors and stakeholders coming together to address constitutional issues and shape the governance of the country. While constitutional conventions are not legally binding, they play a crucial role in shaping the UK’s constitutional arrangements and guiding the behavior of its institutions and leaders.

Question 33

collective farm

Answer 33

Collective farms were large agricultural enterprises in socialist countries, where farmers pooled resources and worked together. They aimed to increase efficiency but faced challenges, and many were disbanded after the Soviet Union’s dissolution.

Question 34

plutocrat

Answer 34

a person whose power derives from their wealth.
“champagne-swilling plutocrats”

Question 35

plenipotentiary

Answer 35

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country.

Question 36

robber baron

Answer 36

a person who has become rich through ruthless and unscrupulous business practices (originally with reference to prominent US businessmen in the late 19th century).
“both political parties served the interests of the corporate robber barons”

Question 37

democratic pluralism

Answer 37

pluralism, in political science, the view that in liberal democracies power is (or should be) dispersed among a variety of economic and ideological pressure groups and is not (or should not be) held by a single elite or group of elites. Pluralism assumes that diversity is beneficial to society and that autonomy should be enjoyed by disparate functional or cultural groups within a society, including religious groups, trade unions, professional organizations, and ethnic minorities

Question 38

gendarmerie

Answer 38

a police force that is part of the armed forces in France and some other countries where French is spoken:
She called the local gendarmerie

Question 39

reprieve

Answer 39

cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).
“under the new regime, prisoners under sentence of death were reprieved”

Question 40

prison hulk

Answer 40

A prison ship, often more accurately described as a prison hulk, is a current or former seagoing vessel that has been modified to become a place of substantive detention for convicts, prisoners of war or civilian internees.

Question 41

investiture vote

Answer 41

An investiture vote typically refers to a formal vote or decision-making process where individuals, such as members of a governing body or organization, approve or confirm the appointment of someone to a significant position or role, often with a ceremonial aspect. It’s common in contexts like political appointments, academic positions, or leadership roles within certain institutions.

Question 42

client king

Answer 42

A client king refers to a ruler of a semi-autonomous region or kingdom who acknowledges the authority of a more powerful state or empire. The client king typically maintains a degree of local governance while recognizing the superior power and often paying tribute to the ruling entity. This arrangement allowed the dominant state to exert control over a wider territory without directly administering all aspects of governance.