Grammar
Complete these sentences with the correct form of do or make.
1. I think he’d … a good leader.
2. I don’t know why they … him party leader. He’s completely incompetent.
3. The People’s Party didn’t … very well in the last elections.
4. The majority party … a big difference since it came to power. Things are much better now.
5. I can’t … up my mind who to vote for.
6. The leader of the party in opposition is only here for a few days, so he should … the most of his time to get as many votes as possible.
7. A candidate for the post is meeting the electorate tomorrow, so he should … an effort to look his best.
Talking Point
1. How can the party system of Russia be characterized?
2. Which parties of Russia belong to the right wing / left wing? What do they stand for?
3. Which party is in majority now? What policy does it conduct?
4. What minor parties are known to you? Why aren’t they popular among the population of the country from your viewpoint?
5. What makes the policy of a political party successful?
6. Do you know anything about party systems in other countries?
Speaking
Speak about the party system in Russia. Compare it with the party systems of other countries.
Read the following joke and retell it.
A Republican and a Democrat
It is easy to go to Washington now. You can go there by plane from any large city of the USA. There are also fast trains and, of course, you can go by car. But in the old days people had to travel several days to get from New York to Washington. People went then by coaches driven by horses or went on horseback. They stopped at inns to have a rest or to eat there and sleep.
They tell a story about a new congressman who stopped at an inn one night and asked for a place to stay. The inn-keeper wanted to know whether he was a Democrat or a Republican.
-Why do you ask? – said the congressman.
-Well, - said the innkeeper, - I always want to please my guests and I have learned that a Republican likes to have good food and a comfortable bed while a Democrat is more interested in the care and feeding of his horse.
-Well, it so happens, - said the congressman, - that I’m a Republican, but my horse is a Democrat.
Role Play
In groups of 3–4, you are going to set up your own political party. You will need to decide the following:
· what you want to ban
· what you will crack down on
· what tax breaks you will give and who to
· what laws you are going to tighten
· what laws you are going to relax
· if you are going to legalise anything
Decide on a name of your party and conduct an election campaign. Then organize a class election. Remember that you are not allowed to vote for your own party!
Glossary
Democracy
1. representative
2. representation
3. legislature
4. legislator
5. percentage
6. majority
7. minority
8. to function
9. authority
10. issue
11. assembly
12. accountable
13. a guarantee
14. diversity
15. pluralism
16. legitimacy
Democratic government
1. shared
2. to vote
3. veto
4. to negotiate
5. treaty
6. to be subject to
7. to abuse
8. government
9. federalism
10. republic
11. to abolish
12. law enforcement
13. term
14. to assemble
Constitution
1. statute
2. obligation
3. provision
4. to establish
5. authority
6. an amendment
7. a statement
8. a principle
9. approval
10. specific
11. legislation
Democratic Elections
1. Authority
2. fair elections
3. possess certain characteristic features
4. competitive
5. opposition party
6. candidates
7. freedom of speech
8. freedom of assembly
9. voice criticism
10. presuppose
11. officials
12. be accountable to…
13. be appointed for life
14. serious improprieties
15. protect from popular vote
16. ensure impartiality
17. hold the reins of power
18. resolve policy issues
19. referendum
20. losers/ the defeated
21. incumbent party
22. turn over power
23. compete for power
Political Parties
1. Right-wing party
2. left-wing party
3. centrists
4. member of a political party
5. come to power
6.banned parties
7. set up a party
8. split
9. sponsor
10. support candidates for office
11. recruit
12. nominate
13. campaign
14. draw up a programme
15. party of the majority
16. offer criticism and alternative policy
17. be in opposition
18. mobilize support
19. multiparty system
20. tightly-disciplined organization
21. be run by smb
22. two-party system
23. rival
24. decentralized
25. coalesce
26. mount presidential election campaign
27. conduct a campaign
28. elaborate
29. have a hand in smth
Основы демократии
Составители:
Юлия Сергеевна Бузуева
Надежда Алексеевна Глазунова
Учебно-методическое
пособие по английскому языку
Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования «Нижегородский государственный университет им. Н.И. Лобачевского»
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