Language practice Text 1 a system of power

A system of power is a complex of organically connected and bonded together governmental bodies, establishments and persons given the highest authority, and also political parties and organizations, directly having the power and putting it into life.

The sources of power in a democratically organized community are its people, and its system. First of all, key figures within this structure should be under control of the people. This system is the core of legal functioning and serves as the foundation of state and public life. Its main parts are legislative and executive power.

If we want finally to live as normal people, we should seriously think which system of power we subject to and how it is possible to improve it, how to make it suitable for the interests of our people and what can be taken from foreign, world experience. But one of the main problems is that we are not the only ones, who don’t have a good system of modern power. Humanity hasn’t yet worked out a suitable and ideal system. That is why we should build our own power by considering all positive and negative aspects of the world’s system and our one. But we should not forget that a power works well only when its authority is clearly and definitely determined.

Word Study

1. Найдите в англо-русском словаре значения следующих слов и выражений; выучите слова наизусть:

power, state, establishment, community, humanity, foreign, legislative power, executive power, governmental body, the highest authority, to be under control, the core of functioning, to serves as.

2. Выпишите из текста и переведите все слова, которые относятся к политическому управлению.

3. Назовите интернациональные слова в тексте.

4. Выпишите из англо-русского словаря все значения следующих полисемантичных слов: state, power, system, body, work; определите, в каком из значений они употреблены в тексте.

5. Переведите на русский язык следующие словосочетания, составьте с ними предложения:

abuse of power, to assume power, to be in power, to come to power, constitutional power, defence power, to exercise one's power, to exert one's power, to hold power, inherent powers, large powers, rival power, sole voting power, supreme power, the Great Powers.

6. Переведите дефиниции слов power и authority, взятые из толкового словаря Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus. Выясните смысловые оттенки значения власть следующих слов синонимического ряда: power - authority - jurisdiction - dominion - sway – control- command.

POWER

1 ability to do, act, or produce

2 a specific ability or faculty (the power of hearing)

3 great ability to do, act, or affect strongly; vigor; force; strength

4 a) the ability to control others; authority; sway; influence b) [pl.] special authority assigned to or exercised by a person or group holding office c) legal ability or authority; also, a document giving it

5 a source of physical or mechanical force or energy; force or energy that is at, or can be put to, work: electric power, water power"

6 the rate at which work is done: abbrev. P

7 a person or thing having great influence, force, or authority

8 a nation, esp. one having influence or domination over other nations (the great powers)

9 national might or political strength

AUTHORITY

1 a) the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction b) the position of one having such power (a person in authority)

2 such power as delegated to another; authorization; warrant

3 power or influence resulting from knowledge, prestige, etc.

4 the citation of a writing, decision, etc. in support of an opinion, action, etc.

5 reliability of a source or witness

6 a) [pl.] persons, esp. in government, having the power or right to enforce orders, laws, etc. b) a government agency that administers a project

7 a person with much knowledge or experience in some field, whose information or opinion is hence reliable; expert

8 self-assurance and expertness that come with experience (the pianist's performance lacked authority)

7. Выпишите в тетрадь словарную семью следующих слов: executive, legislative, government, political, power, functioning, serve, humanity.

Например, system – systematic – systematize.

8. Переведите на английский язык следующие словосочетания, одним из компонентов которых являются слова state и government, составьте предложения с этими словосочетаниями:

конституционное государство, иностранное государство, смена правительства, коалиционное правительство, сформировать правительство, государственный служащий, государственное регулирование, государственная служба, местное самоуправление, органы государственного управления.

9. Переведите предложения на английский язык, используя активную лексику:

1. Правительственные органы, правящие круги (the ruling circles), лица, наделенные (given) верховной властью, политические партии и организации формируют систему власти.

2. Следует создать систему власти с четким определением ее полномочий.

3. Согласно Конституции РФ, государственная власть в Российской Федерации принадлежит народу.

4. Государство занимает особое место в политической системе общества и играет в ней основную роль.