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rotten borough

/ˈrɒtən ˈbʌrə/

1 entry

phrase

/ˈrɒtən ˈbʌrə/C2formalbritishpoliticalobsolete
  • ruИсторический термин, обозначающий парламентский избирательный округ в Британии до Акта о реформе 1832 года, который имел очень маленькое население, но сохранял право избирать члена парламента, часто контролируемый одним богатым покровителем. В настоящее время термин используется в переносном смысле для описания любого избирательного округа или политической должности, которые сохраняются, несмотря на отсутствие подлинного демократического представительства.

A historical term referring to a parliamentary constituency in Britain before the Reform Act of 1832 that had a very small population but still retained the right to elect a member of Parliament, often controlled by a single wealthy patron. The term is now used figuratively to describe any electoral district or political position that is maintained despite lacking genuine democratic representation.

  1. Historical electoral districtC2formalbritish

    A parliamentary constituency in England and Great Britain before the Reform Act 1832 that had a very small population and was controlled by a single patron, allowing him to elect its representative.

    ruГнилое местечко

    • Old Sarum was a notorious rotten borough with only a handful of voters.
    • The abolition of rotten boroughs was a key goal of the 1832 Reform Act.
    • Historians often cite rotten boroughs as a symbol of political corruption in the 18th century.