AP* Comparative Government and Politics: An essential coursebook. 7th Edition by Ethel Wood / Chapter 2 /

Alternate voting (AV)

A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes redistributed until a winner emerges.

Austerity program

Economic policies to reduce government spending and budget deficits, often through cuts to public services and jobs.

Backbenchers

Members of parliament who are not part of the government or opposition leadership teams.

Beveridge Report

1942 report that laid the foundation for the British welfare state, proposing comprehensive social insurance programs.

Blair, Tony

Former UK Prime Minister (1997-2007) and Labour Party leader, known for his 'Third Way' approach.

British Broadcasting Corporation

Publicly funded national broadcaster in the UK, known for independent news coverage.

British National Party

Far-right UK political party known for anti-immigration and nationalist policies.

Brown, Gordon

Former UK Prime Minister (2007-2010) and Chancellor under Tony Blair.

Cameron, David

Former UK Prime Minister (2010-2016) and Conservative Party leader who initiated the Brexit referendum.

Caucuses

Meetings of political party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Civic culture

Political culture characterized by acceptance of authority, civic participation, and trust in government institutions.

Clause 4

Section of Labour Party's constitution advocating public ownership, revised under Blair to embrace market policies.

Clegg, Nick

Former Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister in coalition with Cameron (2010-2015).

Coalition government

Government formed by multiple parties when no single party wins a majority.

Collective consensus

Post-WWII political cooperation in Britain to build welfare state and manage economic recovery.

Collective responsibility

Principle that all cabinet members must publicly support government decisions or resign.

Confederation of Business Industries

Leading UK business organization representing private sector interests.

Conservative Party

Major UK party supporting free markets, limited government, and traditional values.

Constitution of the Crown

Britain's unwritten constitution based on statutes, common law, and traditions.

Cultural heterogeneity

Presence of diverse cultural groups within a society or country.

Democratic Unionist Party

Unionist party in Northern Ireland supporting its status within the UK.

Devolution

Transfer of powers from central government to regional or local governments.

English Bill of Rights

1689 document establishing parliamentary sovereignty and limiting royal power.

Euroskeptics

Those opposing European integration or EU membership.

First-past-the-post voting system

Electoral system where candidates compete in single-member districts, with the most votes winning.

Fixed-term Parliaments Act of 2011

Established regular five-year intervals between UK general elections.

Glorious Revolution

1688 overthrow of King James II, leading to constitutional monarchy.

Government

In Britain, refers to the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers making executive decisions.

Gradualism

Belief in achieving change incrementally rather than through revolution.

Hereditary peers

Members of House of Lords who inherit their titles.

Home rule

Self-government by a constituent part within a larger political framework.

Hung parliament

Situation where no single party has an outright majority after an election.

Insularity

State of being isolated or detached; often describing Britain's historical separation from mainland Europe.

Irish Republican Army

Paramilitary organization that sought Irish independence through armed struggle.

Iron Lady

Nickname for Margaret Thatcher, known for strong leadership and conservative policies.

Keynesianism

Economic theory advocating government intervention to stabilize economic cycles.

Labour Party

Major UK party traditionally representing workers' interests and advocating social justice.

Law lords

Judges who served on House of Lords' judicial committee; replaced by Supreme Court in 2009.

Liberal Democratic Alliance

Centrist UK party advocating civil liberties, electoral reform, and environmental sustainability.

Liberalism

Political ideology emphasizing individual freedoms, limited government, and free markets.

Life peers

Members appointed to House of Lords for life without passing titles to descendants.

Limited government

Principle advocating minimal governmental interference in personal liberties and economic activities.

"Loyal opposition"

Concept that opposition parties play a constructive role while respecting democratic principles.

Magna Carta

1215 charter limiting royal authority and establishing legal rights; foundational to British constitutional governance.

Miliband, Ed

Former Labour Party leader (2010-2015) focused on inequality and social justice issues.

"Misery index"

Economic indicator combining unemployment and inflation rates.

Mixed economy

Economic system combining elements of both market and planned economies.

Multi-nationalism

Presence of multiple distinct national groups within a single state.

Neo-corporatism

Political arrangement where interest groups are incorporated into governmental decision-making process.

Neo-liberalism

Modern revival of classical liberal economic policies emphasizing free markets and minimal state intervention.

Noblesse oblige

Belief that the wealthy and privileged have a responsibility to help the less fortunate.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, influencing global oil prices and production.

Oxbridge

Collective term for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Parliamentary system

Government system where executive branch is accountable to the legislature.

Plaid Cymru

Welsh nationalist political party.

Plurality voting system

Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

Politics of protest

Political activity outside traditional institutional channels, often involving demonstrations or civil disobedience.

Proportional representation

Electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to their share of the overall vote.

Quangos

(Quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations) policy advisory boards appointed by the government

Question Time

Regular parliamentary session where MPs question government ministers.

Rational-legal legitimacy

Authority derived from established laws and procedures rather than tradition or charisma.

Referendum

Direct vote by the electorate on a specific issue.

Safe districts

Electoral constituencies where one party has a large, reliable majority.

Scottish Independence Movement

Political movement seeking Scotland's independence from the UK.

Scottish National Party

Scottish political party advocating for Scottish independence.

"Shadow cabinet"

Opposition party's alternative cabinet, critiquing government policies.

Sinn Fein

Irish republican political party.

Solidarity

Unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among groups with a common interest.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the House of Commons, maintaining order during debates.

Thatcherism

Political and economic policies associated with Margaret Thatcher, emphasizing privatization and free markets.

The third way

Centrist political philosophy blending right-wing economic and left-wing social policies.

Tories

Informal term for the Conservative Party.

Trade Union Congress

Federation of trade unions in England and Wales.

Traditional leadership

Authority derived from long-established customs and beliefs.

UK Independence Party

Eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the UK.

Unitary government

Political system where power is centralized in a national government.

"Vote of no confidence"

Parliamentary procedure to challenge the executive's right to govern.

Welfare state

System where the government plays a key role in protecting and promoting citizens' economic and social well-being.

Whigs

Historical British political party, predecessors of the modern Liberal Party.