Public Policy Terms

noun a legal process where a person is sentenced to death for a crime they have committed

• The debate on whether to abolish capital punishment continues among lawmakers.
• Some people believe that capital punishment is necessary for serious crimes.
• I heard they're bringing back capital punishment in that state.
• In the court of public opinion, cancel culture can be seen as a form of social capital punishment.

adjective relating to or characteristic of federalism or federalists

• The federalistic system of government in the United States ensures a balance of power between the national and state levels.
• The federalistic approach allows different states to have some autonomy in decision-making.
• I don't really get all this federalistic stuff, but it seems like each state has its own say.
• In a federalistic relationship, each partner retains some independence while still being part of a larger whole.

noun the act or process of making or enacting laws

adjective related to the process of making laws

• Lawmaking is the process by which legislation is proposed, debated, and enacted by a governing body.
• Lawmaking can be a lengthy and complex process involving multiple stages of review and approval.
• Some people think lawmaking is just a bunch of politicians arguing and not getting anything done.
• In a way, lawmaking is like building a house - each piece of legislation is like a brick, slowly constructing the legal framework of society.

verb to make or enact laws

• The government is planning to legislate new regulations on environmental protection.
• They're going to make a law about it.
• They're gonna pass a new rule.
• The company decided to legislate a policy on workplace behavior.

noun laws or rules made by a government or authority

adjective relating to the making of laws

• The new legislation aims to regulate the use of drones in public spaces.
• Have you heard about the new legislation regarding smoking in public places?
• I'm not sure if I agree with that legislation, it seems a bit too much.
• The legislation acted as a safety net for consumers in the market.

noun a person appointed to a government position, typically in charge of a specific department or area of responsibility

• The minister of state attended the diplomatic meeting to discuss international relations.
• I heard the minister of state will be visiting our town next week.
• Did you catch the latest announcement from the minister of state?
• In the political chess game, the minister of state plays a crucial role as a powerful piece.

noun a person who is involved in politics or who holds a political office

adjective relating to the government or public affairs of a country

• The political landscape in the country is constantly changing.
• I try to avoid discussing political topics at family gatherings.
• I'm not really into all that political stuff, you know?
• The decision had major political implications that reverberated throughout the region.

noun the academic study of government and the state

• The study of politics is essential for understanding how societies are governed.
• I try to avoid discussing politics at family gatherings to prevent arguments.
• I'm so over all the drama in politics these days.
• In the game of politics, you have to know when to make your move.

noun A sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive.

• The government provides a subsidy to farmers to help offset the cost of crop production.
• My friend told me she gets a subsidy from her workplace for her transportation expenses.
• I heard you can get a subsidy if you know how to work the system.
• Receiving his father's approval felt like a subsidy to his self-esteem.

noun the act of wandering from place to place without any clear destination or purpose

• Vagrancy is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by social welfare programs.
• The city has been dealing with an increase in vagrancy lately.
• Don't be a vagrant and loiter around here.
• His mind wandered aimlessly like a vagrant in the streets of thought.

noun a belief in or reliance on the idea that solutions to problems can be found primarily through the application of technology and innovation

• Solutionism is a term used to describe the belief that every problem has a solution.
• Some people think solutionism is the answer to all of our problems.
• I'm not buying into that solutionism nonsense.
• Applying solutionism to complex societal issues oversimplifies the root causes.

noun the position or role of an advocate; the state of being an advocate

• His advocateship for human rights has made a significant impact on global policies.
• She takes her advocateship for animal welfare very seriously.
• I never knew he had such strong advocateship skills when it comes to negotiating deals.
• Her advocateship for mental health awareness is like a guiding light in the darkness.