Kaarten: UK Politics | Quizlet

a monarchy

a state ruled by a king or queen (e.g. UK, Belgium, Sweden)

a republic

a state governed by representatives and a president (e.g. USA, France, Russia) -

a federation

a union of political units (e.g. states, provinces) under a central government (e.g. USA) -

independence

freedom from outside control, self-governing -

a president

the head of a republic -

a monarch

a ruler of a kingdom or empire -

a ballot

the device voters use to vote in an election - een kiesbiljet

a bill

a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion - een wetsvoorstel

bipartisan

Involving two political parties

a campaign

A series of actions intended to accomplish a goal (e.g. to win an election) -

a coalition

An alliance of two or more political parties, usually to form a government

a constitution

A statement of the fundamental principles and laws by which a country or state is governed - een grondwet

a coup d'etat

Sudden, often violent, change of government when a group, such as the military, takes control - een staatsgreep

democracy

A form of government where elections are held and people vote for the candidate of their choice to represent them

a dictatorship

A form of government in which a single individual, who has often seized power by force, exercises political authority using arbitrary and oppressive methods -

a dissolution

The termination of the current parliament, which takes place before a general election - een ontbinding

an election

The process of voting for a candidate or representative

an electorate

All the people who can vote in an election -

gerrymandering

Rearrange the voting districts in order to ensure more votes for the party in power.

a government

A political body that exercises authority over a nation or state and has the power to make and enforce laws -

the grass roots

Ordinary people in a society, as opposed to those who are in power.

hustings

The political activities, meetings and speeches that happen before an election.

an incumbent

Person currently holding an official position.

a landslide victory

Win an election with a large majority of votes - een grote overwinning

a law

A rule or regulation established by the government 

to lobby

Group of people who try to influence an elected official, or the act of doing so, generally to support or oppose proposed legislation -

a nominee

Person chosen by a political party to run for election

the opposition

Political party or parties opposing the government

a policy

a course of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual - een beleid

political asylum

Protection given by a State to a person who has left their own country because they oppose its government

a political party

A political organisation with stated beliefs, aims and policies, that puts forward candidates in elections - een politieke partij

a politician

A person who has been elected and works professionally in politics - een politicus/politica

politics

The ideas and activities associated with the governing of a country, region, city, etc. - politiek

a poll

1) Voting at an election.

2) A survey of public opinion by questioning a selection of people.

3) Stemming, opiniepeiling

polling day

The day on which elections are held - verkiezingsdag

(the) polls

Place where people vote.

a polling station

Place where people vote.

a Prime Minister (PM)

The head of the government in a parliamentary political system.

a regime

System of government: a communist, fascist, etc.

to run for election

Be a candidate in an election.

a spin doctor

A spokesperson who gives a favourable interpretation of events to the media, especially on behalf of a political personality or party.

the turnout

The number of people who go to vote in an election.

to vote

Choose a candidate in an election.

big government

A negative term, used mainly by conservatives to describe government programs in areas where they believe government shouldn't be involved, especially those that spend money on social problems.

a by-election

special election for a vacant seat in Parliament (inbetween regular election)

a candidate

a person running for political office

a caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office.

capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of capital

a challenger

A politician running for an office that he does not hold at the time of the election. Challengers run against incumbents or in open-seat elections.

checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

Congress

The elected part of the USA government.

Conservatives (Tories)

A UK right-wing political party or a member/supporter of that party.

a constituency

The area of a country that is represented by a certain elected official.

a constituent

A person that votes in a specific area for a certain group of candidates.

a debate

A conversation between people where they try to convince others that they have the correct beliefs.

Democrats

A USA left-wing political party or a member/supporter of that party.

to elect

to choose by voting

the electorate

All the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

fascism

a right-wing political system in which people's lives are completely controlled by the state and no political opposition is allowed

federal

The government at the national level as opposed to local level government.

first past the post

A voting system where the candidate with the most votes is the winner and the losing candidates get nothing.

Head of State

The person who leads and represents a country.

House of Commons

The first legislative body of Parliament whose members are elected. They make the bills that are put into law.

House of Lords

The less powerful of the two parts of the British parliament. They discuss bills, give advice, pass bills, but cannot make bills. Its members are not elected by the people: they either belong to old noble families or they are life peers (=people who have been given a special title because of their achievements)

Houses of Parliament

House of Lords and House of Commons

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population. They are elected every 2 years.

an independent

A candidate or elected person who is not a member of a political party.

Labour Party

British working-class political party established in the 1890s and dedicated to reforms and a peaceful transition to socialism (left-wing).

left-wing

To support socialist beliefs or to believe in promoting public welfare.

legislation

the process of new laws

Liberals

A person who believes in progress and protecting civil liberties. They are in favour of economic liberty.

a majority

to have more than half

a manifesto

A document that states what a political party or government will do.

Member of Parliament (MP)

A person who is elected to a parliament.

Minister

A politician that has a specific job in the government. (e.g. Minister for Economy, Foreign Affairs)

a non-elected

An official who has a permanent job and does not have to stand for election.

a patriot

A person who loves their country.

a postal vote

when voters make their vote by post, rather than by going to a polling station

a primary

A first selection where members of a political party chose the person to stand in an election.

propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

proportional representation

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

a referendum

A vote by the population of a country about a specific topic or piece of legislation.

Republicans

A USA right-wing political party or a member/supporter of that party.

right-wing

To support conservative beliefs or to believe in limited government.

to run in an election

to be a candidate in an election

a seat

A position in an elected body that is reserved for the specific winner of each constituency.

the Senate

The upper part of the USA congress where elected politicians debate and vote. They are elected every 6 years.

the Speaker of the House

The person who officially controls the meetings and discussions in parliament. The political party that has the most representatives or MPs is allowed to suggest someone for the Speaker's position, and then all the members of the House vote on this choice.

to spin information

To show information so that only positive or negative parts can be seen.

Vice President

The deputy to a president who will become the head of state if the president can no longer do the job.

the whip

A politician with the job to ensure the other politicians in the party do as they are told to do.

to cast your vote

to vote

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