United Kingdom

Austerity

Government policy to reduce deficit spending by raising taxes and cutting spending

civil society

many opportunities for citizens to form voluntary autonomous organizations

collective responsibility

all members of the government must speak with a unified voice on policy or resign

common law

The practice of judge made law in that prior judicial decisions are considered binding in future cases

confederation of business industry (CBI)

largest business lobby group composed of numerous institutions. an organization that formed a tripartite association with the government and the trades union Congress.

conservative party

One of the UK's political parties. promote conservatism. caused the UK to leave the EU with a referendum

corporatism

A close partnership of peak groups negotiating with the government

democratic deficit

Felt by British voters because they were only involved in selecting MEPS for the European Parliament, which is the least powerful branch of the EU government

devolution

a central government transfers, power to a lower level of government

european union (EU)

composed of 27 European countries and was created with the signing of the Maastricht treaty GB joined the union, but not the monetary union membership became a political issue with the rise of UKIP. GB left the union later

first past the post (FPTP)

Single member district system. The voters select one name from the ballot and the person with the most votes wins the seat. UK version.

globalization

economic integration of national economics

head of government

prime Minister chief executive in charge of policy making

head of state

symbolic rule, Queen Elizabeth II served as its constitutional monarch for 70 years

house of commons

are charged with making policy and being answerable to the voters

house of lords

are symbolic of authority and add legitimacy

liberal democrats

A party that had strong appeal through the 2010 election but suffered electorally for their participation and the conservative coalition government

national heath service (NHS)

nationalized state owned healthcare provider in GB. created due to a consensus wartime policies, led to an increase role for the state in the economy.

new labour

constitutional reforms pursued to increase opportunities for voters to select local representatives for the develop parliament and increase protection of civil liberties

parliamentary sovereignty

The only thing that can overturn an active parliament is another active Parliament, which must be passed by the commons

parliament system

there is a fusion of executive and legislative power where the chief executive is chosen by the legislative branch

pluralist

A wide variety of active interest groups that compete for a position on policy agenda

quangos

quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations serve as semi public regulatory bodies finance by the government, but are independent from direct state control

referendum

A vote that allowed regional governments to achieve a measure of self government through the devolution

single member district system

first passed the post voters select one name from the ballot, and the person with the most votes wins the seat

social capital

networks of trust and cooperation

supreme court of the united kingdom

United Kingdom judicial system created in 2005 with a constitutional reform act that formalize independence of the court system

sustainability

avoiding the depletion of natural resources

thatcherism

privatized major industries, reduce the power of unions by ending corporatism, reduce taxes, high interest rates

third way

between liberal capitalism and democratic socialism involves a commitment to markets and social justice to be accomplished through public private initiatives

two-plus party system

only two large parties winning enough support to form a government

unitary state

all the power is centralized in the crown in Parliament

vote of no confidence

The party in Parliament may change its leader, midterm, or defeat the government

vote of confidence

if it loses this by the full House of Commons, the entire government was resigned and call for a new election

welfare state

The government offers universal benefits to all citizens to protect and promote health and a standard of living

westminister model

epitome of a parliamentary system with a fusion of executive and legislative authority

world trade organization (WTO)

members are committed to free trade and agreed to abide by the decision of the WTO and settling trade dispute. evolved from the general agreement on tariffs and trade.