Discussing politics and social issues is an integral part of engaging with any culture, and Italy is no exception. For students of Italian or anyone looking to converse in Italian about such matters, learning specific vocabulary is essential. Below is a list of Italian words with their definitions and example sentences to help you navigate these discussions.
Democrazia – Democracy, a form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislators.
In Italia, la democrazia è considerata il fondamento del sistema politico.
Politica – Politics; the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate among parties having power.
La politica italiana può essere molto complessa e affascinante.
Governo – Government; the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state.
Il governo è stato appena eletto e sono previsti grandi cambiamenti.
Partito – Party; an organized political group.
Il nuovo partito politico sta guadagnando sempre più consensi.
Elezioni – Elections; a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.
Le elezioni comunali si terranno il prossimo giugno.
Diritti umani – Human rights; rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
Tutti dovrebbero battersi per la protezione dei diritti umani.
Libertà – Freedom; the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
La libertà di espressione è essenziale in una società democratica.
Uguaglianza – Equality; the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
L’uguaglianza di genere è un importante punto di discussione nel panorama politico attuale.
Voto – Vote; a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands.
Ogni voto è importante per determinare il risultato delle elezioni.
Costituzione – Constitution; a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.
La Costituzione italiana è un documento storico che merita di essere studiato attentamente.
Riforma – Reform; the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.
Sono state proposte diverse riforme per migliorare l’economia nazionale.
Socialismo – Socialism; a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
In alcune aree d’Italia, il socialismo ha un forte seguito popolare.
Capitalismo – Capitalism; an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.
Il capitalismo è spesso oggetto di discussione e critica nelle università italiane.
Immigrazione – Immigration; the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.
L’immigrazione in Italia è una questione centrale nel dibattito politico.
Legge – Law; the system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
La nuova legge è stata approvata con una maggioranza schiacciante.
Understanding these terms is a solid step toward becoming part of more in-depth discussions about Italian political and social landscapes. Remember that having conversations about such topics not only helps to improve your linguistic skills but also provides you with a deeper understanding of the cultural and societal constructs within Italy.
