Studied by 8 people
Alternative Voting
a preferential system where the voter has the chance to rank the candidates in order of preference
Backbenchers
MP's of the governing party who have no governmental office and rank-and-file opposition members
Tony Blair
PM from 1997-2007 New Labour Party Worked with Gordon Brown Iraq War
Bureaucracy/Whitehall
the central government apparatus
Cabinet Government
a system of government in which most executive power is held by the cabinet headed by a prime minister
Coalition Government
When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe.
Collective Responsibility
in a parliamentary system, the concept that all cabinet members agree on policy decisions and that all will be responsible for the results
Collectivist Consensus
Cross-party British support for the welfare state that lasted until the late 1970s.
Conservative Party
One of the two major parties in the UK, it is generally more right wing, and more towards free-markets and the upper classes,advocates a mixed economy and encourages property owning; Leader is Prime Minister David Cameron
Constitutional Monarchy
system of government in which the head of state ascends by heredity but is limited in powers and constrained by the provisions of a constitution
Constitutional Reform Act of 2005
created a new Supreme Court and a cabinet position to administer the judicial system. Appointments will be made by a Judicial Appointments
First-Past-the-Post Voting System
election process for the House of Commons; winner take all. most votes is elected; no need for a majority or proportional representation.
Fusion of Powers
a constitutional principle that merges the authority of branches of government in contrast to the principle of separation of powers
Gradualism
The theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily
House of Commons
The more powerful legislative arm of the British Parliament; made up of popularly elected members from each district of Great Britain
House of Lords
Weaker chamber of parliament that consists of an unelected body which serves some judiciary functions, has the ability to amend and delay legislation, and is a chamber of revision in redrafting legislation.
Hung Parliament
a situation after an election when no single party comprises a majority in the commons
Keynesian Economics
an approach to economic policy in which state economic policies are used to regulate the economy to achieve stable economic growth
Labour Party
political party foundedwith the help of trade unions to represent the interests of the urban working class
Liberal Democrats
left-wing democrats - favor redistribution of wealth to poor, minorities - socially more liberal; Leader -Nick Clegg
Monetarism
an approach to economic policy that assumes a natural rate of unemployment determined by the labour market and rejects the instruments of government spending to run budgetary deficits for stimulating the economy and creating jobs
National Health Service
The most notable social welfare program that the Labour Party implemented. Provided free Health Care in England.
Noblesse oblige
Benevolent, honorable behavior considered to be the responsibility of persons of high birth or rank
Parliamentary Sovereignty
the doctrine that grants the legislature the power to make or overturn any law and permits no veot or judicial review
Plaid Cymru
the nationalist party in Wales that advocates more rights for the Welsh people, including use of the Welsh language
Proportional Representation
representation of all parties in proportion to their popular vote
Quangos
acronym for quasi non governmental organizations- Term used in Britain for nonelected bodies that are outside traditional governmental departments or local authorities
Thatcherism
Thatcher's economic policy that focused on streamlining the government expenses to strengthen the British Pound; this was done at a social cost
The Third Way
political belief system of a compromise between capitalism and socialism; supported by the Labor Party (Tony Blair and Gordon Brown).
Unitary State
a system of government in which no powers are reserved for sub national units of government
West Lothian Question
a controversy sparked by devolution. "What right should a Scottish MP have to vote on laws that might relate to England or Wales, while England and Wales MPs cannot vote on some matters related to Scotland, in areas where policy had been devolved from the Westminster Parliament to the Scottish Parliament?"
Westminster Model
A form of democracy based on the supreme authority of Parliament and the accountability of its elected representatives
EU Common Agricultural Policy
a european union policy based on the principle that a subsidy extended to farmers in any member country should be extended to farmers in all member countries
EU Common Market
a group of countries that acts as a single market, without trade barriers between member countries
EU Democratic Deficit
The criticism made of the European Union that there is a gap between the European Community institutions and the people they represent
EU Economic Liberalism
An ideal that suggests that people are happiest and economy thrive most when governments minimize their regulation, monitoring, and control over the work we do and the kinds of goods we buy & sell
EU Economic Structural Adjustment
restructuring the economies of certain countries (those than need bailout - ie. Greece, Ireland, and Portugal) which would mean that at least part of the debt would be forgiven
EU Enlargement Fatigue
Rapid growth caused this; caused a decline in support for EU; EU governments lost some entusiasm for further growth
EU Commission
represents interest of whole EU community; monitors EU's income, spending, and long term investment
EU Common Defense
The EU is empowered to respond proactively to international crises through a broad mix of civilian and military crisis management and conflict prevention operations.
EU Council of Ministers
Ministers (cabinet members) from the EU states, who make substantive decisions in their area of expertise based on weighted voting.
EU Justice and Home Affairs
Included in the three pillars- the aim of this cooperation was to give practical effect to the principle of the free movement of persons- including policy governing asylum, border crossing, immigration, and judicial cooperation on crime and terrorism.
EU European Central Bank
the central bank of those members of the European Union who share a common currency
EU European Constitution
A European Union document not yet ratified, which incorporates a charter of fundamental rights; merges the judicial, economic, and defense aspects of the EU; establishes the European Council; and raises the number of seats in Parliament, among other things
EU European Council
the ultimate controlling authority within the EU
EU European Court of Justice
The "Supreme Court of Europe", with active jurisdiction over all EU members and the power to strike down EU states' domestic laws (judicial review)
EU European Monetary Union
the agreement among the participating member states of the European Union to adopt a single hard currency and monetary system.
EU European Parliament
Passes the majority of the EU's laws; is the only EU institution that meets and debates in public; is elected by all the citizens of the EU and represents their interests
EU Integration
the inclusion of people of all races on an equal basis into society
EU Lisbon Treaty 2007
Created a permanent president of the European Council. Created a High Representative and EU action force.
EU Maastricht Treaty 1991
agreement that resulted in a singel currency for the European Union-caused massive protest marches and general strike in France
EU Schengen Area
zone in which border controls have been abolished
EU Social Market Economy
Economic form, major industries are owned by state entities, but compete with each other within a pricing system set by the market
EU Sovereign Debt Crisis
Financial crisis due to excessive growth of public budget's deficit which has led to incapacity for payment of current liabilities and obtaining new loans from private banks or international institutions, such as the IMF, the World Bank or European Central Bank.
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