Unit 3 politics

GETTING STARTED

Discuss the following with your partners

1) Do you understand the notion of politics?

2) Do you agree with the following statement of Ambrose Bierce?

“Politics: a strife (conflict) of interests masquerading as a contest (contradiction) of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.”

READING

1. Read the following passage. What’s the origin of the term “politics”? Who was the first to introduce it?

Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in other group interactions, including corporate, academic and religious institutions. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

The word "Politics" comes from the Greek word Πολιτικά (politika) from politic (adj.), modeled on Aristotle's "affairs of state," the name of his book on governing and governments, which was rendered in English mid-15 century as Latinised "Polettiques." In Latin, this was "politicus" and in French "politique". Thus it became "politics" in Middle English (see the Concise Oxford Dictionary).

USEFUL VOCABULARY

interaction n – взаимодействие

authority n – полномочия

apply v– применять

institution n – учреждение

political unit – политическое образование

aborigines n – аборигены

totem n – тотем

paternal – отцовский

descent n – происхождение

reckon v – рассматривать

enforce a rule – обеспечить выполнение правила

deal destruction – расторжение договора, сделки (о браке)

rudiment n – зачатки, основы

abundant adj– имеющийся в избытке

patriarchal society - патриархальное общество

kin n – родня, родственники

kinship n – родство

ancestor n – предок

certainty – неоспоримый факт

polygamy n – полигамия

paternal authority – полномочия отца

extend to v – распространяться

descendant n – потомок

tribe n – племя, род

clan n – клан, род

impressionability n – впечатлительность, восприимчивость

household n – семья

wither (away) v – отмирать

individual n – индивидуум

dissolve v – распадаться

come into existence – возникать, появляться

political association – политическое объединение

be subject to – подчиняться

sovereignty n – суверенитет

warfare n – ведение боевых действий

community n – община

peer n – равноправный (член)

allegiance n – верность, преданность

heredity n – наследственность

bulwark of democracy – оплот демократии

withstand v (criticism) – выдерживать (критику)

impersonal authority – беспристрастный арбитр

coffer n – сундук

kingship n – королевское правление

adopt ideological values – принимать идеологические ценности

have an impact on – оказывать влияние на

political awareness – политическая осведомленность

adolescent n – подростковый

affect v – оказывать влияние

crucial adj – решающий

modify v – умерять, смягчать

issue n – проблема

political outcome – политический результат

unanimous adj – единодушный

grant an opportunity – предоставлять возможность

perceived political center – признанный политический центр

advocate v – способствовать

undecided voter – неопределившийся избиратель

ideology n – идеология

campaign n – кампания

violate common moral standards – нарушать общепринятые моральные нормы

replacement n – замена

an authoritarian regime – авторитарный режим

invariably n– постоянно, неизменно

moderation – сдержанность, умеренность

distinction n – различие

fundamentalism n – фундаментализм

fanaticism n – фанатизм

extremist n – экстремист

moderate adj – умеренный

political agenda – политическая повестка дня

READING

1. The origin and development of government institutions is the most visible subject for the study of Politics and its history. Split into groups of 3-5 people. Each group is supposed to read about one stage of social development and describe this stage to other groups.