20 French words on politics

Politics, a central area of French society, is rich in specific terminology that reflects not only the country’s history and culture, but also its values and ideologies. Exploring these words offers a fascinating insight into how the French perceive and interact with their political system. Terms such as “laïcité”, “cohabitation” and “régime semi-présidentiel” are intrinsically linked to France’s political identity. Secularism”, for example, represents the concept of separation of state and religion, an idea deeply rooted in French society. Cohabitation”, on the other hand, describes a situation where the President and Prime Minister come from different political parties, illustrating the complexity of the French political system.

These and other terms, such as “universal suffrage”, “quinquennat”, and “le Conseil Constitutionnel”, are essential to understanding the nuances of French politics. Universal suffrage”, which refers to the right to vote granted to all adult citizens, is a pillar of French democracy, while “quinquennat”, which refers to the five-year presidential term, shows the evolution of the country’s political institutions. The “Conseil Constitutionnel”, meanwhile, plays a crucial role in overseeing the constitutionality of laws, underlining the importance of the balance of power in France. Each of these terms brings an additional layer of understanding to the complex architecture of French politics, revealing how language can shape and be shaped by politics.

1. Amendement: Proposed modification to a bill or an existing law.
2. Bicaméralisme: A political system in which parliament is divided into two separate chambers.
3. Coalition: Alliance of political parties to form a government or to act jointly.
4. Démocratie: Political system in which power is exercised by the people, often through elections.
5. Électorat: All those entitled to vote.
6. Fédéralisme: Political system in which power is shared between a central government and regional entities.
7. Gauche: Term used to designate political parties oriented towards progressive or socialist ideas.
8. Hémicycle: Semicircular room where deputies or senators meet.
9. Idéologie: A coherent set of political, economic and social ideas and beliefs.
10. Jurisprudence: All the decisions of courts and tribunals forming a source of law.
11. Kleptocratie: Political system in which rulers exploit national resources for personal gain.
12. Législature: Period during which an elected parliament exercises its functions.
13. Majorité: Number of votes or seats required to make decisions or govern.
14. Nationalisme: Political movement advocating the primacy and unity of a nation.
15. Opposition: parties and elected representatives who are not part of the government group and who contest its policies.
16. Parlement: A state’s legislative body, usually made up of elected representatives.
17. Quorum: Minimum number of members present required for a meeting to deliberate validly.
18. Référendum: Procedure allowing citizens to vote directly on a political issue.
19. Souveraineté: A state’s supreme power over its territory and population.
20. Totalitarisme: Political system in which the state has absolute control over all aspects of public and private life.