Power, Voice, and Responsibility
Real Article: The Vote and the Voice
Some people protest. Others stay silent. Some vote. Others believe it changes nothing.
But all of them live under some kind of political system.
From direct democracy to authoritarian rule, governments shape everyday life — from taxes to education, from justice to the media. In democratic systems, citizens have the right to vote, express opinions, and participate in decision-making. But not all democracies are equal. Some are highly transparent. Others are only democratic in name.
At the heart of this issue lies a simple question:
Does the government serve the people — or the other way around?
Vocabulary Deep Dive
| Word | Synonym | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Democracy | Representative government | Focuses on participation and voting rights |
| Political system | Form of government | Describes how power is structured and shared |
| Authoritarian | Oppressive regime | Implies limited freedom, strong central control |
| Civic participation | Public engagement | Includes voting, protesting, community involvement |
These are not just academic words. They’re tools for speaking about power with control.
Article 2: Participation or Performance?
In modern democracies, civic participation is declining. Many young people say voting doesn’t change anything. Meanwhile, authoritarian states invest heavily in technology and infrastructure, claiming to deliver results faster than democratic systems.
Supporters of democracy argue that freedom, rights, and accountability are non-negotiable. Critics of democracy say it’s too slow, too divided, and too influenced by money or media.
So the debate isn’t just about system type. It’s about what kind of society we want to live in — and how much power we’re willing to share.
IELTS Reading Test
- What are two features of democratic systems mentioned in Article 1?
- Complete the sentence:
“Some authoritarian states claim to deliver ______ faster than democracies.” - True / False / Not Given:
All democratic countries protect freedom of speech equally. - Multiple Choice:
What does “civic participation” include?
A. Government spending
B. Public taxes
C. Voting and community action
D. Legal contracts - Matching Headings (Article 2):
- A. Power and Performance
- B. Public Apathy
- C. System Strengths
- D. Voices Without Impact
- E. Reforming Representation
Suggested Answer:
- Voting rights and public decision-making
- results
- False
- C. Voting and community action
- B, A, D, C, E
IELTS Speaking Challenge
Focus Vocabulary: democracy | political system | authoritarian | civic participation
Warm-Up:
- What kind of political system does your country have?
- Should people be required to vote?
- Can a non-democratic country still provide a good quality of life?
Band 6 Style:
“My country has democracy. People vote. Some people don’t care. Some people think government is bad.”
Band 7 Style:
“Although my country has a democratic political system, many citizens feel disconnected due to low civic participation and distrust in political institutions.”
Try This Frame:
“In my opinion, ______ gives people more control over their future. However, without ______ and genuine ______, the system may lose public trust.”
IELTS Writing Challenge
Task 2 Prompt:
Some people believe democracy is the best form of government. Others argue that non-democratic systems can be more efficient.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 7 Sample:
“Democracy provides freedom, civic rights, and public accountability, allowing people to influence decisions. However, some authoritarian systems appear more efficient in delivering policies and maintaining order. In my view, long-term progress requires a balance between strong leadership and public participation.”
Structure Plan:
- Intro – present both arguments
- Para 1 – advantages of democracy (freedom, accountability)
- Para 2 – arguments for authoritarian efficiency
- Conclusion – preference for hybrid values (efficiency + rights)
Use These Words: democracy, political system, civic participation, authoritarian
Grammar Focus: Comparatives for System Evaluation
Structure:
• more/less + adjective + than
• The more…, the more…
• While X is more…, Y is more…
Examples:
• “Authoritarian governments may be more efficient, but democracies offer more rights.”
• “The more people participate, the stronger the democracy becomes.”
Practice:
- Rewrite: Democracy has freedom. Authoritarian systems have more control.
→ While democracy is more focused on freedom, authoritarian systems are more controlling. - Your Turn:
Use: more efficient, more transparent, less participatory
This grammar helps you compare systems, not just describe them.
Rewrite Challenge
Question:
Is democracy the best political system?
Plan:
- Democracies allow public participation and protect freedom.
- Authoritarian systems are often more efficient but limit choice.
- The more informed people are, the more effective democracy becomes.
- I believe the best system balances strong leadership with public accountability.
Write 4 structured sentences using today’s vocabulary and comparative grammar.
Final Reflection
✔️ You’ve just:
• Learned critical vocabulary for government and politics
• Explored the strengths and weaknesses of system models
• Practised fluency in reading, writing, and speaking
• Used comparatives to build clear, analytical arguments
You’re not just responding to questions.
You’re stepping into global conversations about power and people.
To develop leadership-level writing and master the voice of reason in civic debates — join the full course now.
This topic connects to another essential IELTS lesson—check it out here: