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IELTS Government Vocabulary - Advanced

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meritocracy
[noun]
/ˌmer.ɪˈtɒk.rə.si/
Definition

A system in which people gain positions or rewards based on ability and achievement rather than privilege.

Examples
  • Many education systems present themselves as meritocracies, yet social background continues to influence outcomes.
  • The ideal of meritocracy suggests that hard work and talent alone should determine academic success.
Related Expressions
  • educational meritocracy
  • myth of meritocracy
  • meritocratic system
  • promote meritocracy
  • based on merit
  • equal opportunity

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  • meritocracy
    A system in which people gain positions or rewards based on ability and achievement rather than privilege.
    Examples
    • Many education systems present themselves as meritocracies, yet social background continues to influence outcomes.
    • The ideal of meritocracy suggests that hard work and talent alone should determine academic success.
    Related Expressions
    • educational meritocracy
    • myth of meritocracy
    • meritocratic system
    • promote meritocracy
    • based on merit
    • equal opportunity
  • hegemony
    Dominant influence or control by one country, group, or ideology over others.
    Examples
    • Critics argue that the hegemony of Western academic traditions in global higher education marginalises indigenous knowledge systems.
    • The hegemony of standardised testing has shaped curricula in ways that privilege certain kinds of intelligence over others.
    Related Expressions
    • cultural hegemony
    • hegemony of knowledge
    • challenge hegemony
    • ideological hegemony
    • global hegemony
    • political dominance
  • pluralism
    A system in which different groups, beliefs, or interests coexist and are allowed to have influence.
    Examples
    • Epistemic pluralism in the curriculum challenges the assumption that a single cultural tradition holds a monopoly on valid knowledge.
    • Educational pluralism advocates for systems that respect and reflect the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of all learners.
    Related Expressions
    • epistemic pluralism
    • cultural pluralism
    • educational pluralism
    • pluralism in the curriculum
    • political pluralism
    • pluralist society
  • jurisdiction
    The official power to make legal decisions or the area where that power applies.
    Examples
    • Cybercrime often falls outside the jurisdiction of national police forces, requiring international cooperation.
    • The case was transferred to a federal court as it fell outside local jurisdiction.
    Related Expressions
    • fall under jurisdiction
    • legal jurisdiction
    • outside jurisdiction
    • cross-border jurisdiction
    • under the jurisdiction of
    • territorial jurisdiction
  • coercion
    The use of force or threats to make someone do something.
    Examples
    • The defence argued that the confession had been obtained through coercion and should be ruled inadmissible.
    • Coercion is a recognised defence in criminal law when a person commits an offence under duress.
    Related Expressions
    • under coercion
    • economic coercion
    • psychological coercion
    • coercion and threats
    • political coercion
    • use coercion
  • authoritarian
    Demanding strict obedience and limiting personal freedom, especially in politics or government.
    Examples
    • Authoritarian governments often restrict freedom of speech and the press.
    • The article compared democratic and authoritarian approaches to public order.
    Related Expressions
    • authoritarian regime
    • authoritarian rule
    • authoritarian government
    • authoritarian policy
  • bureaucratic
    Related to a system of administration with many official rules, procedures, and paperwork.
    Examples
    • Small businesses often struggle with bureaucratic delays when applying for licences.
    • The reform aimed to reduce bureaucratic obstacles in the public sector.
    Related Expressions
    • bureaucratic system
    • bureaucratic delay
    • bureaucratic process
    • bureaucratic obstacle
  • constituency
    A body of voters in a particular area who elect a representative.
    Examples
    • The representative returned to her constituency to discuss local concerns.
    • Rural constituencies often have different priorities from urban ones.
    Related Expressions
    • electoral constituency
    • local constituency
    • serve a constituency
    • constituency interests
  • decentralization
    The process of moving power, control, or responsibility away from a central authority to local bodies.
    Examples
    • Decentralization can make public services more responsive to local needs.
    • The government introduced decentralization to strengthen regional decision-making.
    Related Expressions
    • political decentralization
    • administrative decentralization
    • decentralization of power
    • local decision-making
  • dissident
    A person who strongly opposes official government policy, especially in an authoritarian state.
    Examples
    • Several political dissidents were arrested after the protest.
    • The documentary explored how governments deal with dissident voices.
    Related Expressions
    • political dissident
    • dissident voice
    • suppress dissidents
    • dissident movement
  • empowerment
    The process of giving people more power, rights, confidence, or control over their lives.
    Examples
    • Education plays an important role in the empowerment of disadvantaged groups.
    • Many social policies aim at the economic empowerment of women.
    Related Expressions
    • economic empowerment
    • social empowerment
    • women's empowerment
    • community participation
  • entitlement
    An official right to receive benefits, services, or support from the government.
    Examples
    • The policy changed eligibility for housing entitlement.
    • Some voters believe welfare entitlement should depend on contribution history.
    Related Expressions
    • legal entitlement
    • benefit entitlement
    • welfare entitlement
    • eligibility rules
  • impartiality
    The quality of treating all sides fairly and without bias.
    Examples
    • Judicial impartiality is essential for public confidence in the legal system.
    • The commission was expected to act with complete impartiality.
    Related Expressions
    • judicial impartiality
    • political impartiality
    • act impartially
    • lack of bias
  • judiciary
    The system of courts and judges in a country.
    Examples
    • An independent judiciary is vital in a democratic society.
    • The reform aimed to strengthen public trust in the judiciary.
    Related Expressions
    • independent judiciary
    • judicial system
    • judicial reform
    • court independence
  • legislative
    Related to the making of laws.
    Examples
    • The proposal must pass through the legislative process before becoming law.
    • Legislative change is often slower than public demand.
    Related Expressions
    • legislative body
    • legislative process
    • legislative power
    • legislative reform
  • legislature
    The part of government that has the power to make laws.
    Examples
    • The legislature debated the bill for several weeks.
    • A powerful legislature can limit the misuse of executive authority.
    Related Expressions
    • national legislature
    • state legislature
    • legislative branch
    • law-making body
  • legitimacy
    The quality of being accepted as lawful, valid, or justified.
    Examples
    • Free elections help strengthen the legitimacy of a government.
    • The court ruling raised questions about the legitimacy of the policy.
    Related Expressions
    • political legitimacy
    • legitimacy crisis
    • public legitimacy
    • legitimate authority
  • liberalization
    The process of making laws, systems, or markets less strict or restrictive.
    Examples
    • Economic liberalization can increase competition but also create inequality.
    • The essay explored whether media liberalization improves public debate.
    Related Expressions
    • economic liberalization
    • market liberalization
    • policy reform
    • reduce restrictions
  • lobbying
    Attempts to influence government decisions, especially by organized groups.
    Examples
    • Corporate lobbying can affect environmental legislation.
    • There is debate about whether lobbying increases participation or unfair influence.
    Related Expressions
    • political lobbying
    • lobbying group
    • lobbying pressure
    • influence policy
  • patronage
    Support, jobs, or benefits given by powerful people in exchange for loyalty or political support.
    Examples
    • The report criticised the use of political patronage in public appointments.
    • Patronage networks can weaken fairness and transparency in government.
    Related Expressions
    • political patronage
    • patronage system
    • patronage network
    • favouritism in appointments
  • polarization
    A situation in which opinions or groups become divided into two strongly opposing sides.
    Examples
    • Social media may increase political polarization.
    • The country has experienced growing polarization over immigration policy.
    Related Expressions
    • political polarization
    • social division
    • deep polarization
    • ideological divide
  • pragmatic
    Dealing with problems in a practical and realistic way rather than following theory alone.
    Examples
    • A pragmatic government focuses on practical results rather than ideology.
    • The minister took a pragmatic approach to immigration reform.
    Related Expressions
    • pragmatic approach
    • pragmatic policy
    • practical solution
    • policy realism
  • ratification
    The act of making an agreement, treaty, or decision officially valid by approving it.
    Examples
    • The treaty required parliamentary ratification before taking effect.
    • Ratification of the agreement was delayed by political disagreement.
    Related Expressions
    • treaty ratification
    • formal approval
    • ratification process
    • ratify an agreement
  • regime
    A government, especially one with strong control or a particular political system.
    Examples
    • The regime restricted political opposition and press freedom.
    • Some regimes rely heavily on surveillance to maintain control.
    Related Expressions
    • authoritarian regime
    • military regime
    • political regime
    • regime change
  • rhetoric
    Language used to persuade or influence people, especially in politics.
    Examples
    • Political rhetoric often becomes more emotional during election campaigns.
    • The essay criticised the gap between campaign rhetoric and actual policy.
    Related Expressions
    • political rhetoric
    • campaign rhetoric
    • empty rhetoric
    • persuasive language
  • suffrage
    The right to vote in political elections.
    Examples
    • Universal suffrage is considered a key feature of modern democracy.
    • The history lesson examined how suffrage was extended to women.
    Related Expressions
    • universal suffrage
    • voting rights
    • right to vote
    • electoral equality
  • unprecedented
    Never having happened or existed before.
    Examples
    • The country faced unprecedented pressure on its healthcare system.
    • The government introduced unprecedented financial support during the crisis.
    Related Expressions
    • unprecedented challenge
    • unprecedented crisis
    • unprecedented measure
    • historic change
  • abolition
    The official ending of a law, system, or institution.
    Examples
    • Some campaigners are calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
    • The abolition of outdated laws can improve the fairness of the legal system.
    Related Expressions
    • abolition of slavery
    • abolition of a law
    • call for abolition
    • repeal a system
  • autocracy
    A system of government in which one person holds complete power.
    Examples
    • Autocracy can produce quick decisions, but it often weakens accountability.
    • The essay contrasted democracy with autocracy in terms of citizen participation.
    Related Expressions
    • move towards autocracy
    • autocratic rule
    • absolute power
    • one-man rule
  • dictatorship
    A form of government in which one ruler or group has complete power and does not allow political opposition.
    Examples
    • Under dictatorship, elections often exist without real choice.
    • The essay examined how dictatorship affects freedom of expression.
    Related Expressions
    • military dictatorship
    • live under dictatorship
    • authoritarian rule
    • one-party control
  • egalitarian
    Believing in or based on the principle that all people should have equal rights and opportunities.
    Examples
    • The essay praised egalitarian policies that reduce educational inequality.
    • An egalitarian society tries to limit unfair advantages linked to birth or income.
    Related Expressions
    • egalitarian policy
    • egalitarian ideal
    • social equality
    • equal opportunity
  • incumbency
    The period during which a person holds a particular political office.
    Examples
    • The advantages of incumbency helped the leader win re-election.
    • Incumbency often provides greater media attention and institutional visibility.
    Related Expressions
    • advantages of incumbency
    • hold office
    • re-election benefit
    • incumbent leader
  • oligarchy
    A system of government in which power belongs to a small group of people.
    Examples
    • The critic described the political system as an oligarchy rather than a true democracy.
    • Oligarchy often limits broad public participation in decision-making.
    Related Expressions
    • political oligarchy
    • rule by elites
    • concentrated power
    • elite control
  • populism
    A political approach that claims to represent ordinary people against elites, often using simple and emotional appeals.
    Examples
    • Populism often grows when voters lose trust in mainstream parties.
    • The essay explored the relationship between social media and populism.
    Related Expressions
    • rise of populism
    • populist rhetoric
    • anti-elite politics
    • mass political appeal
  • proliferation
    A rapid increase in the number or spread of something.
    Examples
    • The proliferation of misinformation has become a major policy concern.
    • The essay considered whether governments should regulate the proliferation of digital surveillance tools.
    Related Expressions
    • rapid proliferation
    • spread of technology
    • proliferation of weapons
    • growth in numbers
  • radicalization
    The process by which a person or group adopts extreme political or social views.
    Examples
    • Online communities can sometimes contribute to political radicalization.
    • The government launched programmes to prevent youth radicalization.
    Related Expressions
    • prevent radicalization
    • political extremism
    • radicalization process
    • counter-extremism policy
  • technocracy
    A system in which experts and technical specialists have a major role in governing.
    Examples
    • Some argue that technocracy leads to better policy decisions in complex economies.
    • The essay questioned whether technocracy weakens democratic accountability.
    Related Expressions
    • technocratic government
    • rule by experts
    • expert-led policy
    • administrative expertise
  • theocracy
    A system of government in which religious leaders or religious law hold political power.
    Examples
    • The essay contrasted secular government with theocracy.
    • In a theocracy, political authority is closely linked to religious authority.
    Related Expressions
    • religious rule
    • theocratic state
    • rule by clergy
    • religious authority
  • underpin
    To support or form the basic foundation of something important, such as a system or argument.
    Examples
    • Public trust is what underpins democratic legitimacy.
    • Strong legal institutions underpin long-term political stability.
    Related Expressions
    • underpin a system
    • form the basis of
    • provide a foundation
    • support an argument
  • totalitarian
    Relating to a political system in which the state has complete control over society and does not allow opposition.
    Examples
    • Totalitarian systems often rely on censorship, surveillance, and fear.
    • The essay examined how totalitarian rule affects education and media.
    Related Expressions
    • totalitarian regime
    • totalitarian state
    • complete state control
    • political repression