AP Comparative Government Unit Guide - United Kingdom

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts from the AP Comparative Government Unit Guide on the United Kingdom.

Backbenchers

MP's of a party who have no governmental office or sit as rank-and-file opposition members.

Tony Blair

PM from 1997-2007; created a 'new labour' party, promoted low taxes, tightly controlled social spending, and closer ties to Europe and began devolution.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Educational TV and Radio Network in England, developed in the Collective Consensus era, government strictly regulates

David Cameron

Prime Minister from 2010-2016 who instituted austerity measures and emphasized private sector roles.

Cabinet

Consists of the Prime Minister and ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, responsible for major bureaucratic functions.

Coalition Government

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature.

Collective Consensus

Period when both the Labour and Conservative parties supported the development of a modern welfare system.

Collective Responsibility

Concept in a parliamentary system that all cabinet members agree on policy decisions and all are responsible for the results, if they do not agree they must resign

Conservative Party

One of the two major political parties in the UK, generally more right-wing, advocating for free markets and upper class, advocates a mixed economy and encourages property owning

Constitution of the Crown

Britain's constitution, composed of important documents, common law, and tradition/customs.

Devolution

The voluntary transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to regional governments.

The English Bill of Rights

A document signed in 1688, listing rights retained by Parliament and giving significant powers to it.

Eurosceptics

People who are opposed to the UK's membership in the EU and the expansion of EU power.

'First-past-the-post' Voting System

Election process for representatives in the House of Commons where the winner takes all.

Good Friday Agreement

Peace agreement in Northern Ireland that set up a Northern Ireland Assembly and ended the conflict.

Gradualism

Policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual stages, explaining the transition of power from King to Parliament.

Hereditary Peers

Members of the House of Lords whose titles are passed down through family.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament, consisting of 650 elected members known as MPs. elected by local residents to represent an area of the country in Parliament. each MP represents one of 650 constituencies in the UK and is a member of a political party

House of Lords

Made up of people who have inherited family titles and those who have been given titles because of their outstanding work in one field or another. the main job is to double check new laws to make sure they are fair and will work.

Hung parliament

A parliament in which no single party has majority control, potentially leading to a coalition.

Irish Republican Army (IRA)

Militant organization aiming for Irish independence from Britain through terrorism and guerilla warfare.

Iron Lady

Nickname for Margaret Thatcher, known for her tough and decisive leadership in the 1980s.

Labour Party

Party created in 1906 to represent the working class, influenced by trade unions.

Liberalism

Political philosophy advocating individual freedoms, parliamentary governance, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties. economic theory advocating free competition and a self-regulating market and the gold standard

Life Peers

Members of the House of Lords given lifetime appointments for distinguished service.

'Loyal Opposition'

The party that does not win a majority in elections, critiquing the government's priorities.

Magna Carta

Document signed in 1215 that initiated the concept of limited government and parliamentary consultation.

Members of Parliament

Elected officials in the UK who represent constituencies; important members may become ministers.

Jeremy Corbyn

Leader of the Labour Party known for his leftist positions that have affected party support.

Multi-Nationalism

Unity of several nations under one government, impacting culture and politics in the UK.

Neoliberalism

Revival of classical liberal values focusing on low government regulation and free market economy, taxation, social expenditures, and protection of individual property rights

Noblesse Oblige

The duty of the upper classes to care for the welfare of the lower classes.

Oxbridge

Colloquial term for Oxford and Cambridge Universities, prominent in UK politics.

Parliamentary System

Government system where the chief executive is the leader of the majority party in the legislature. executive branch and legislative are fused together because the prime minister & cabinet leaders are in parliament. seperation of power does not exist, judicial review has no role

Plaid Cymru

Nationalist party in Wales advocating for Welsh independence and language rights.

Plurality Voting System

Voting system where the candidate with the most votes wins, not necessarily a majority.

Prime Minister

The head of government in the UK, often referred to as 'first among equals' in a parliamentary system.

Proportional Representation (PR)

An election system where parties receive seats in legislature corresponding to their vote share. vote for party not candidate

Question Time

Weekly parliamentary session where the Prime Minister and cabinet answer questions from MPs.

Rational-legal Legitimacy

Legitimacy based on established laws and procedures in a government system. belief that the government has the right to rule based on a system of well-established laws and procedures

Safe Districts

Electoral districts where incumbents win by large margins, typically 55% or more.

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Centre-left party advocating for Scottish independence, most popular in Scotland.

Shadow Cabinet

Leadership of the opposition party that mirrors the cabinet and critiques government policies.

Sinn Fein

Political arm of the IRA, promoting independence and unification of Ireland.

Speaker of the House

Official who presides over parliamentary debates, maintaining order and fairness.

Thatcherism

Economic and political policies of Margaret Thatcher emphasizing privatization and deregulation.

The Third Way

Centrist political approach aimed at reconciling left-leaning and right-leaning policies.

Tories

The historical name for the Conservative Party in the UK.

UK Independence Party (UKIP)

A Eurosceptic right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom.

Unitary Government

Government system with centralized authority, where decisions are made by the central government.

'Vote of no Confidence'

Legislative vote to remove a Prime Minister from office.

Welfare State

Government system responsible for the welfare of its citizens through various programs.