GRE Vocabulary - Words Related to Government

Amnesty - An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.

Despot - A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically exercising it cruelly.

Hegemony - Leadership or dominance, esp. by one country or social group

Insurgency - an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict.

Mandate - An official order or commission to do something. Eg: "a federal mandate"

Moratorium -
1. A temporary prohibition of an activity.
2. A legal authorization to debtors to postpone payment.

Polity -
1. A form or process of civil government or constitution.
2. An organized society; a state as a political entity.

Potentate - A monarch or ruler

Ratify - Sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.

Referendum -
1. A general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
2. The process of referring a political question to the electorate for this purpose.

Regime - A government, esp. an authoritarian one.

Secede - Withdraw formally from membership in a federal union, an alliance, or a political or religious organization.
e.g: "the kingdom of Belgium seceded from the Netherlands in 1830".

Subjugate - Bring under domination or control, esp. by conquest.

Subvert - Undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

Suffrage - The right to vote in political elections.

Thralldom - bondage: the state of being under the control of another person.

Titular - Holding or constituting a purely formal position or title without any real authority

Tyranny -
1. Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
2. A nation under such cruel and oppressive government.

Usurp - Take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force.