📚 Year 7 SQA Politics: Vocabulary Quick-Study Guide | 苏格兰SQA政治：词汇术语速记指南
Building a strong political vocabulary is the first step to understanding how societies are run. This guide introduces the essential terms every Year 7 SQA Modern Studies student needs to know, explained in a clear, easy-to-remember way. From government structures to citizens' rights, each word is paired with a simple definition and its Chinese translation, helping you revise quickly and with confidence.
建立扎实的政治词汇基础，是理解社会如何运作的第一步。本指南介绍了每一位苏格兰S1现代研究学生都需要掌握的关键术语，并以清晰、易记的方式进行解释。从政府结构到公民权利，每个单词都配有简明的定义和中文翻译，帮助你高效复习，充满信心。
1. Government and State | 政府与国家
A government is a group of people who have the authority to rule a country or region. They make laws, collect taxes, and decide how public money is spent.
政府是拥有管理一个国家或地区权力的群体。他们制定法律、征收税款，并决定公共资金的使用方式。
A state is a political unit with a defined territory, a permanent population, and a government that other states recognise. It has sovereignty, meaning it can make its own decisions without outside interference.
国家是一个拥有确定领土、常住人口和得到其他国家承认的政府的政治单位。它拥有主权，即能够自主作出决定，不受外来干涉。
The term 'authority' often refers to the right to give orders and make decisions. In a democracy, authority comes from the people through elections.
“权威”一词常指下达命令和作出决策的权力。在民主制度中，权威通过选举来自人民。
- Constitution: A set of rules that explains how a country is governed. / 宪法：一套解释国家如何治理的规则。
- Sovereignty: The power of a state to govern itself. / 主权：国家自我管理的权力。
2. Democracy and Elections | 民主与选举
Democracy is a system of government where citizens have a say in how the country is run, either directly or through elected representatives. The word comes from Greek, meaning 'rule by the people'.
民主是一种公民能够直接或通过选举出的代表参与国家治理的制度。这个词源自希腊语，意为“人民的统治”。
An election is a formal process by which people choose who will represent them. At a polling station, voters cast their ballot secretly, ensuring their choice is personal and free from pressure.
选举是人们选择谁将代表自己的正式过程。在投票站，选民秘密投下选票，确保他们的选择是私人的，不受压力影响。
A referendum is a special type of vote where citizens are asked a single yes-or-no question about a major issue. The 2014 Scottish independence referendum is a famous example.
全民公投是一种特殊投票，公民就某个重大议题回答一个“是”或“否”的问题。2014年苏格兰独立公投就是一个著名的例子。
- Constituency: A geographical area represented by an elected MP. / 选区：由一名当选议员代表的地理区域。
- Universal suffrage: The right of almost all adults to vote. / 普选权：几乎所有成年人拥有的投票权。
- Manifesto: A list of promises a political party publishes before an election. / 竞选纲领：政党在选举前公布的一系列承诺。
3. Parliament and Law-Making | 议会与立法
Parliament is the main law-making body in the United Kingdom. It consists of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch. Bills must be approved by all before they become laws called Acts of Parliament.
议会是英国主要的立法机构。它由三部分组成：下议院、上议院和君主。法案必须经三者全部批准后才能成为法律，即议会法案。
The House of Commons is made up of MPs elected by the public. The House of Lords includes appointed members who provide expertise and scrutinise legislation but can only delay bills, not permanently block them.
下议院由公众选举产生的议员组成。上议院包括任命产生的议员，他们提供专业知识并审查立法，但只能拖延法案，不能永久否决。
An MP is a person elected to represent a constituency. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons and heads the government. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers chosen by the PM to lead departments like health, education, and defence.
议员是经选举代表一个选区的人。首相是下议院中最大政党的领袖，领导政府。内阁是由首相挑选的高级大臣组成的团体，负责领导卫生、教育和国防等部门。
The process of making a law starts with a bill, which is debated and amended in both Houses. Once agreed, it receives Royal Assent from the Monarch and becomes an Act.
制定法律的过程从一项法案开始，在两院进行辩论和修订。达成一致后，由君主御准，成为法案。
4. Rights and Responsibilities | 权利与责任
A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something. In the UK, citizens enjoy fundamental rights such as the right to free speech, a fair trial, and the right to vote.
权利是拥有或做某事的道义或法律资格。在英国，公民享有基本权利，如言论自由、公平审判权和投票权。
With every right comes a responsibility. For example, the right to free speech brings the responsibility not to spread hate or false information. The right to a fair trial means citizens must serve on a jury if asked.
每一项权利都伴随着责任。例如，言论自由权带来不传播仇恨或虚假信息的责任。公平审判权意味着公民如果被要求，必须担任陪审员。
The rule of law is the principle that everyone, including those in government, must obey the law. It prevents rulers from acting unfairly. Justice is the fair treatment of people according to the law.
法治是一项原则，即包括政府人员在内的所有人都必须遵守法律。它防止统治者不公正行事。公正是依法公平对待人们。
- Human rights: Basic rights that belong to all people, such as the right to life and education. / 人权：属于所有人的基本权利，如生命权和受教育权。
- Jury: A group of ordinary citizens who decide the verdict in a court case. / 陪审团：一群普通公民，在法庭案件中决定裁决。
5. Political Parties and Ideologies | 政党与意识形态
A political party is an organised group of people with similar ideas about how the country should be governed. Parties compete in elections to win seats and implement their programmes.
政党是一群对国家应如何治理持有相似想法的人所组成的团体。政党在选举中竞争以赢得席位并实施其纲领。
An ideology is a set of beliefs about politics and society. The left wing generally supports social equality and a larger role for the state in the economy. The right wing often favours individual freedom and lower taxes.
意识形态是一套关于政治和社会的信念。左翼通常支持社会平等和国家在经济中发挥更大作用。右翼常常偏爱个人自由和较低的税收。
In the UK, the main parties are the Conservative Party (centre-right), the Labour Party (centre-left), the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party (SNP). The SNP focuses on Scottish independence.
在英国，主要政党是保守党（中右翼）、工党（中左翼）、自由民主党和苏格兰民族党（SNP）。SNP 专注于苏格兰独立。
A coalition is formed when no single party wins enough seats to govern alone, so two or more parties agree to work together. The 2010–2015 Conservative-Liberal Democrat government was a coalition.
当没有单一政党赢得足够席位单独执政时，会形成联合政府，两个或更多政党同意合作。2010-2015年的保守党-自民党政府就是一个联合政府。
6. The UK Political System | 英国政治制度
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This means a Monarch is the head of state, but their powers are limited by a constitution, and the government is formed from Parliament.
英国是一个君主立宪制和议会制民主国家。这意味着君主是国家元首，但其权力受到宪法限制，政府由议会产生。
The UK is a unitary state, not a federation. Power is concentrated in the national government at Westminster, although some powers have been devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
英国是一个单一制国家，不是联邦制。权力集中在威斯敏斯特的全国政府，但部分权力已下放给苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰。
The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party with the most MPs. After a general election, the Monarch invites that leader to form a government. The Cabinet supports the PM in running the country.
首相通常是拥有最多议员席位的政党领袖。大选之后，君主邀请该领袖组建政府。内阁协助首相治理国家。
- General election: An election for all seats in the House of Commons, usually every five years. / 大选：下议院所有席位的选举，通常每五年一次。
- First-past-the-post: The voting system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins a seat. / 简单多数制：选举制度，每个选区得票最多的候选人赢得一个席位。
7. Devolution and the Scottish Parliament | 权力下放与苏格兰议会
Devolution means transferring certain powers from the central government to regional governments. In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was re-established, giving Scotland control over areas like education, health, and justice.
权力下放意味着将某些权力从中央政府移交给地区政府。1999年，苏格兰议会重新成立，使苏格兰得以控制教育、卫生和司法等领域。
The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood in Edinburgh. It has 129 MSPs elected by the Additional Member System, which combines constituency and regional list votes to make representation fairer.
苏格兰议会位于爱丁堡的荷里路德。它有129名苏格兰议会议员，通过附加议员制选举产生，该制度结合了选区票和地区名单票，使代表更加公平。
The First Minister is the leader of the Scottish Government. Reserved powers, such as defence and foreign policy, remain with the UK Parliament, while devolved powers are handled in Scotland.
首席部长是苏格兰政府的领导人。保留权力，如国防和外交政策，仍由英国议会行使，而下放权力则在苏格兰处理。
- MSP: Member of the Scottish Parliament. / 苏格兰议会议员：苏格兰议会的成员。
- Reserved powers: Matters like immigration and nuclear energy that only the UK Parliament can decide. / 保留权力：只能由英国议会决定的事务，如移民和核能。
8. The Monarchy and the Head of State | 君主与国家元首
The Monarch is the head of state of the United Kingdom. In a constitutional monarchy, the King or Queen reigns but does not rule. Their role is largely ceremonial, symbolising national unity.
君主是英国的国家元首。在君主立宪制中，国王或女王统而不治。他们的角色主要是礼仪性的，象征着国家统一。
One duty of the Monarch is to give Royal Assent to bills passed by Parliament, turning them into law. In modern times, this is a formality, as a monarch has not refused Royal Assent since 1707.
君主的职责之一是御准议会通过的法案，将其变为法律。在现代，这只是一个形式，因为自1707年以来，没有君主拒绝过御准。
The succession to the throne follows hereditary rules, currently passing to the eldest child regardless of gender. The Monarch also meets weekly with the Prime Minister to discuss government matters in confidence.
王位继承遵循世袭规则，目前不论性别传给长子（女）。君主还会每周与首相私下会面，讨论政府事务。
- Ceremonial role: Duties such as opening Parliament and giving honours are symbolic. / 礼仪性角色：如主持议会开幕和授予荣誉等职责，都是象征性的。
- Commonwealth: A voluntary association of 56 countries, most of which were once part of the British Empire, now led by the Monarch. / 英联邦：由56个国家组成的自愿联合体，其中大部分曾是大英帝国的一部分，现在由君主领导。
9. Local Government and Councils | 地方政府与议会
Local government provides services that affect our daily lives, such as schools, waste collection, roads, and social care. In Scotland, there are 32 unitary councils responsible for all local services.
地方政府提供影响我们日常生活的服务，如学校、垃圾收集、道路维修和社会关怀。在苏格兰，有32个单一管理区议会负责所有本地服务。
A councillor is elected by residents to represent a ward, which is a small area within the local authority. Councillors make decisions on budgets, planning, and local regulations.
议员由居民选举，代表选区，这是地方当局内部的一个小区域。议员就预算、规划和地方法规作出决策。
Local councils are funded through council tax paid by households, as well as grants from the Scottish Government. They must balance local needs with available money.
地方议会通过家庭缴纳的市政税以及来自苏格兰政府的拨款筹集资金。它们必须在地方需求与可用资金之间取得平衡。
- Ward: A division of a council area represented by one or more councillors. / 选区（地方）：由一个或多个议员代表的地方议会分区。
- Provost: The ceremonial leader of a Scottish council, similar to a mayor. / 议长：苏格兰议会的礼仪性领袖，类似市长。
10. Active Citizenship and Participation | 积极公民与参与
Active citizenship means getting involved in your community and the democratic process beyond just voting. It includes understanding issues, speaking out, and taking action to make things better.
积极公民意味着除了投票之外，还要参与社区和民主进程。这包括理解问题、发表意见并采取行动让事情变得更好。
One way to participate is to join a pressure group, a voluntary organisation that campaigns around a specific cause, such as the environment or human rights. These groups lobby politicians and raise public awareness.
一种参与方式是加入压力团体，这是一种围绕特定事业（如环境或人权）进行活动的志愿组织。这些团体会游说政治家并提高公众意识。
A petition is a formal request signed by many people, calling for a change in law or policy. E-petitions to the UK and Scottish parliaments have grown popular, often triggering debates if enough signatures are gathered.
请愿书是由许多人签署的正式请求，呼吁改变法律或政策。向英国和苏格兰议会提交的电子请愿已变得很流行，如果收集到足够签名，往往会引发辩论。
Young people can also make a difference through volunteering, youth councils, or even running for a school council. These experiences build skills in leadership, negotiation, and public speaking.
年轻人还可以通过志愿服务、青年议会甚至参加学生会选举来做出贡献。这些经历能培养领导力、谈判和公开演讲的技能。
- Lobbying: Meeting with decision-makers to persuade them on an issue. / 游说：与决策者会面，以说服他们在某个问题上采取立场。
- Participation: The act of being involved in political and civic life. / 参与：投身于政治和公民生活的行为。
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