Glossary

Conflict: The pursuit of incompatible goals by different groups.

Conflict-affected country: Narrowly defined, often means those countries that have recently experienced, are experiencing, or are widely regarded as at risk of experiencing violent conflict. 

Government: The government or executive is theoretically responsible for working with the bureaucracy to implement the legislation passed by the parliament.  In parliamentary systems the executive is dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament often expressed through a vote of confidence; whereas, in a presidential system the executive is dependent on a mandate usually conferred directly by the electorate.

Parliament: Parliament is a representative assembly or body, at whichever level, comprised of members who are either elected or appointed in conformity with the laws of a sovereign state, which convenes to debate and vote on proposed laws.  Parliament can be used interchangeably with the term legislature or congress and can refer to either unicameral or bicameral parliaments.