AP Comp Gov UK Terms

Cabinet Government

System of government in which most executive power is held by the cabinet, headed by a prime minister.

Constitutional monarchy

Form of government in which the king retains his position as head of state, while the authority to tax and make new laws resides in an elected body

Foreign direct investment

Ownership of or investment in cross-border enterprises in which the investor plays a direct managerial role

Fusion of powers

Constitutional principle that merges the authority of branches of government, in contrast to the principle of separation of powers

Hegemonic power

State that can control the pattern of alliances and terms of the international order, shapes domestic political developments in countries throughout the world.

Hung parliament

Situation after an election when no single party comprises a majority in the Commons

Industrial revolution

Period of rapid and destabilizing social, economic, and political changes caused by the introduction of large scale factory production, originating in England in the middle of the 18th century.

Judicial review

Capacity of a high court to nullify actions by the executive and legislative branches of government that violate the constitution

Laissez-faire

"to let do", state management is limited to enforcing contracts and protecting property rights, while private market forces are free to operate with only minimal state regulation

Macroeconomic policy

Policy intended to shape the overall economic system by concentrating on inflation and growth.

Monetarism

Approach to economic policy that assumes a natural rate of unemployment and rejects the instruments of government spending to run budgetary deficits for stimulating the economy and creating jobs.

Neoliberalism

Government policies aiming to promote free competition among business firms within the market, including reduced governmental regulation and social spending.

Parliamentary democracy

System of government in which the chief executive is answerable to the legislature and may be dismissed by it

Parliamentary sovereignty

Doctrine that grants the legislature the power to make or overturn any law and permits no veto or judicial review.

Quango

Acronym for quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization: a public body staffed by appointees, rather than politicians or civil servants

Special relationship

Political, diplomatic, cultural, economic, military, and historical relations between the UK and the US

Unitary state

System of government in which no powers are reserved for subnational units of government, in contrast to a federal system

Welfare state

public policies designed to provide for citizens' needs through direct or indirect provision of pensions, health care, unemployment insurance, and assistance to the poor

Westminster model

Form of democracy based on the supreme authority of Parliament and the accountability of its elected representatives