Even though the American presidential elections don’t take place until November of next year, the potential candidates have started campaigning! Here is some vocabulary to help you understand political discussions, and to take part. Remember though: no politics at the dinner table!
Politics (noun) – anything that refers to law and government
Party (noun) – a group of people with similar political ideas, such as the Democratic and Republican parties
Liberal, progressive (adjective) – a philosophy based on progress, breaking with tradition, and spending more money to help poor people. Typically opposite of ‘conservative’.
Conservative (adjective) – a philosophy that tends to uphold tradition and resist major changes in laws and institutions
To run (verb) – to try to become president
Candidate (noun) – a person who wants to become president and is formally running
Debate (noun) or ‘to debate’ (verb) – a structured, formal argument, usually televised
‘Heated’ (adjective) – used to describe a debate in which the participants get angry, excited, or passionate
‘Raise money’ (verb phrase) – to earn money for your campaign
Campaign (noun), also ‘to campaign’ (verb) – the process of trying to get oneself or someone else elected
Campaign Ad (noun) – an advertisement, sometimes a television commercial or billboard, meant to gain
‘Close race’ (noun) – when both candidates have a good chance of winning the election
Election (noun) – when people vote for a representative, such as a president, or laws
‘To elect’ (verb) – to choose a leader through a democratic vote
‘To spin’ (verb) – to present facts in a way that will sway public opinion
Ballot (noun) – piece of paper where you write your vote, usually done in private
Turnout (noun) – the amount of people who vote
Majority (noun) – the greater number, usually referring to votes
Propaganda (noun) – misleading or biased information used to manipulate and promote a political view
Poll (noun) – a survey of public opinion, used to measure support for each candidate or policy
Unemployment rate (noun) – the percentage of workers who cannot find jobs
