AP Comparative Government - United Kingdom

austerity

policies implemented by the government to reduce government spending, increase taxes, and cut public services in order to address budget deficits or economic crises

backbenchers

legislators/members of parliament who do not hold leadership positions within their party caucus

collective responsibility (cabinet)

members of the cabinet must publicly support all governmental decisions made, even if they do not privately agree with them; all individual members are held accountable for the actions and decisions of government as a whole

corporatist

when interest groups are sanctioned by the government instead of independently ran

Conservative Party (Tories)

political party in the United Kingdom that generally supports traditional values, limited government, and free market capitalism

constituency

a specific geographic area or district that is represented by an elected official

devolution

transfer of power from central government to regional or local governments

first-past-the-post (FPTP)

candidates with the most votes win, regardless if they have the majority

gradualism

the idea of achieving political change through slow, steady steps and incremental reforms rather than through sudden, radical revolutions or drastic measures

Good Friday Agreement

1998; Britain agreed to give northern Ireland a regional government to end the conflict between protestants and catholics. Emphasized that Northern Ireland's future could be decided by its people through democratic means.

House of Commons

the lower house of the British Parliament and other parliamentary systems composed of elected representatives who debate and pass laws (lower house)

House of Lords

the second chamber in the british parliament consisting of appointed members who provide expertise and review legislation proposed by the House of Commons

Labour Party

political party that represents the interests of the working-class people and advocates for social equality

Members of Parliament (MPs)

elected representatives that serve in the legislative branch of government

shadow cabinet

a group of the opposition party who forms an alternate cabinet to that of the government, and whose members shadow or mirror the positions of each individual member of the cabinet. members have no executive power and scrutinise the policies and actions of the government and offer alternative policies

third/middle way

centrist approach that seeks to reconcile right-wing and left-wing ideologies by promoting a blend of social justice and free-market principles. Aims to provide an alternative to traditional political divisions, advocating for policies that address social issues while also fostering economic growth

Westminster system

a type of parliamentary government that incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature; head of state is the monarch while the head of government is the prime minister and is accountable to the legislature

White paper

a government or other authoritative report giving information or proposals on an issue

Maastricht Treaty

created the European Union which fostered greater political and economic cooperation among member states