Politics refers to any action or activity undertaken with the goal of attaining and exercising power within a country or society. This verb may be singular or plural in nature.
Politics derives from Greek polis, meaning “of or pertaining to the state.” It then made its way into Latin as politicus, translating as “civics” or “city-state,” before being adopted into English in its singular form of politike during the 15th century.
Vote
Voting is something we often take for granted. It’s so deeply embedded into our DNA that it’s hard to ignore it – which is a good thing since America boasts one of the most democratic forms of government worldwide. That said, that doesn’t mean we should neglect voting altogether.
It’s no secret that voting is the best way to ensure your voice is heard in local government. But you may not know there are several ways of making that happen: various polling places, ballots of various sizes and colors, plus well-designed websites and apps. Voting can make all the difference!
Caucus
In the United States, Presidential candidates are selected through a series of primaries and caucuses before being placed on the ballot for the general election. It’s essential to understand how each primary and caucus works so you know who you’re voting for when going to the polls.
Caucuses are meetings of political party members to nominate candidates, formulate policy and select party leaders in the United States Congress and other representative organs of government. In some Commonwealth countries it also refers to a regular gathering of MPs who belong to one particular parliamentary party: in this context the caucus can be quite influential as it has the power to elect or dismiss the leader of that chamber.
Republic
The term “Republic” derives from the Latin res publica, meaning “public thing.” This concept emphasizes the power of the people over government institutions.
A republic is a state governed by representatives elected or appointed by its citizens, commonly referred to as representative democracy.
The roots of the term “republic” are similar to those of “democracy.” Both words derive from a common root, though in a republic power is held by an elected group of citizens while in democracies it lies with multiple individuals.
Pol
Etymology is the study of words and their origins, including their meanings. This discipline is especially crucial in political lexicon, where words often shape how we comprehend government and law.
The term polis is derived from Greek and can be traced back to the fifth century BCE when it was used for a city-state. Aristotle popularized it in his treatise Politics, becoming an integral part of political studies ever since.
Politics is often associated with public speech, but it also encompasses private actions which have an effect on others. Examples include protesting against social norms, lobbying for an issue or voting for an elected official.
Ballot
A ballot is a piece of paper or card that displays a voter’s choices in an election, particularly when it’s secret. Voters mark their ballots and submit them to election officials for processing.
Ballots can be in either physical or digital forms, and must meet certain specifications. For instance, the color, size, and font must all be the same.
In the United States, ballots are used for both statewide and local elections. They typically come preprinted with candidates’ names and the text of their referendums.
The word ballot is derived from the Italian ballotta, a small ball used for secret voting. It is thought that this Venetian word may have influenced English usage, though it has also been traced to various other European countries and languages.
