AP Gov Comp Unit 2

Presidential System

A system of government where the executive branch (the president) is separate from the legislature and holds significant powers, typically for a fixed term.

Parliamentary System

A system where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature, and the head of government is typically the prime minister.

Semi-Presidential System

A system that combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, where a president exists alongside a prime minister, and both have significant powers.

Prime Minister

The head of government in a parliamentary system, often the leader of the majority party in the legislature, responsible for running the government.

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple political parties that join together to hold a majority, often due to no single party having enough seats to govern alone.

Member of Parliament (MP)

An elected representative in the legislative body of a parliamentary system.

Vote of No Confidence

A vote in a parliamentary system where the legislature can remove the government or prime minister if they believe it is no longer supported by the majority.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with one legislative body or chamber.

Common Law

A system of law based on judicial precedents and case law rather than on written statutes.

Code Law

A legal system based on written codes or statutes, typically found in civil law systems.

Judicial Independence

The principle that judges should be free from influence or pressure from the government or other powerful entities when making decisions.

Devolution

The transfer of certain powers from the central government to regional or local governments.

Civil Service System

The professional body of government employees who work for the government, providing administrative support and policy implementation.

Welfare State

A government system that provides financial support and services to citizens in need, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits.

Noblesse Oblige

The moral obligation of the privileged or wealthy to act with generosity and responsibility toward those less fortunate.

Unitary System

A system where power is concentrated in a central government, and any regional governments derive their authority from the central government.

Neoliberalism

An economic and political philosophy that favors free-market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, and limited government intervention.

National Health Service (NHS)

The publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, which provides health services that are free at the point of use for UK residents.

Austerity Measures

Government policies aimed at reducing budget deficits through cuts in government spending, often in public services and welfare.

Labour Party

A center-left political party in the UK, traditionally representing the working class and advocating for social democracy.

Conservative Party

A center-right political party in the UK, advocating for free-market policies, traditional values, and limited government intervention.

Scottish National Party

A political party in Scotland that advocates for Scottish independence and social democracy.

Sinn Féin

A political party that operates both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, advocating for Irish republicanism and unification.

Liberal Democrats

A centrist political party in the UK that advocates for social liberalism, civil liberties, and electoral reform.

UKIP

The UK Independence Party, which advocates for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and a focus on national sovereignty.

Plaid Cymru

A political party in Wales advocating for Welsh independence and social democracy.

Parliament

The supreme legislative body in the UK, made up of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Government

Refers to the executive branch of government, including the prime minister and their cabinet, responsible for running the country.

Referendum

A direct vote by the electorate on a particular issue or policy.

Monarch

The ceremonial head of state in the UK, currently Queen Elizabeth II (as of the date of this response), who holds a symbolic role with no direct involvement in government decisions.

House of Commons

The lower house of the UK Parliament, consisting of elected Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent constituencies.

House of Lords

The upper house of the UK Parliament, composed of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the UK, which serves as the final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases.

Head of Government

The person responsible for running the country, usually the prime minister or president.

Head of State

The ceremonial representative of the country, often the monarch or president, but without significant governing powers.

Fusion of Powers

A system where the executive and legislative branches are combined, typical in parliamentary systems.

Cabinet Government

A system where the executive powers are held by a cabinet of ministers, often headed by the prime minister.

Backbencher

A Member of Parliament who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position and typically sits behind the frontbenchers in the legislative body.

Shadow Cabinet

A group of senior opposition party members who scrutinize and offer alternatives to the government's policies.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system where the monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution, and the real governing authority rests with elected representatives.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority, which can create or end any law.

Westminster Model

A system of government based on the parliamentary system, characterized by a bicameral legislature and a fusion of executive and legislative branches.

Question Hour/Time

A period in Parliament when MPs can ask the government questions regarding its policies and administration.

Whitehall (Civil Service)

Refers to the UK government’s civil service, responsible for policy implementation and public administration.

Collective Responsibility

The principle that all members of the cabinet must publicly support government decisions, even if they disagree privately.

Nature of British Constitution

The UK has an uncodified or 'unwritten' constitution, based on statutes, conventions, judicial decisions, and works of authority.

UK Judicial Review

The power of courts to review the legality of actions taken by the government or other public bodies.

Brexit

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union, following a referendum in 2016.

20th Century (Class)

Refers to the division of British society into different social classes (e.g., working-class, middle-class), with political alignments based on class interests.

21st Century (Religion/Ethnicity)

The growing importance of religious and ethnic identities in political affiliations, focusing on multiculturalism and the integration of minority groups.

Regional (Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English)

Refers to the distinct political identities and issues faced by the different nations within the UK, such as Scottish independence or Welsh autonomy.