| A | B |
|---|
| Monarchy | Led by a hereditary ruler |
| By-Election | Held when a member or parliament dies; to re-elect and choose replacement |
| Coalition | A temporary alliance of parties for the purpose of forming a government |
| Ministers | Members of the House of Commons |
| Shadow Cabinet | If an opposition party gains control of the Cabinet |
| Devolution | The delegation of authority from the central government to regional governments |
| Consensus | Broad agreement |
| Dissolution | Prime minister has power to dissolve the House of Representatives, but not the House of Councillors |
| Prefectures | 47 political subdivisions into which Japan is divided |
| Mestizo | A person with both Spanish or Portugese and Native American ancestry |
| Nationalization | Governmental acquisition of private industry for public use |
| North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) | Removed most trade restrictions between the US, Canada, and Mexico; increased cross-border commerce |
| Purge | Purification |
| Soviets | Russian councils |
| Perestroika | Reconstructing of political and economic life |
| Glasnost | Policy of openness under which the government increased its tolerance of dissent and freedom of expression |
| Cultural Revolution | Attacked,bullied, and re-educated teachers, intellectuals, and anyone else who seemed to lack revolutionary fervor |
| Autonomous | Independent |
