AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2 Knowledge Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2, including population demographics, UK values, international organizations, media regulation, the legal system, and crime.

Census

An official survey produced every 10 years (most recently in 2011) to examine statistics and diversity within the UK population.

Ethnicity

A shared culture between a group—comprising beliefs, language, food, history, and traditions—which gives them a unique identity.

Multi-faith society

A society, like the UK, that contains a range of different religious and non-religious worldviews.

Secular

The state of becoming less religious; indicated in the UK by the increasing percentage of people identifying with 'No-religion' ($25.1\%$ in 2011).

Democracy

A system where all those aged 18+ can vote in elections; the UK uses a representative system where citizens elect others to represent them.

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone must be treated in the same way under the law, and punishment applies equally to all who break it.

Individual Liberty

The freedoms afforded to citizens, including free speech, free assembly, privacy, and freedom to worship.

Mutual Respect

Showing consideration for the wishes and rights of others, even when they differ from one's own, such as differing political ideologies.

Human Rights

Entitlements that are inherent to all individuals simply because they are human, such as those in the UNDHR or ECHR.

Moral Rights

Entitlements that ensure individuals behave correctly toward one another, such as freedom from discrimination or slavery.

Legal Rights

Entitlements protected by the law, such as equality before the law, a fair trial, and the right not to be arbitrarily arrested.

Political Rights

Entitlements that ensure individuals can participate in the political process, including freedom of thought and the right to assemble.

Equalities Act (2010)

UK legislation that protects individuals from discrimination based on social characteristics like age, disability, gender, and sexual orientation.

Refugee

A person who has been granted official status to stay in a country because they are unsafe in their own due to persecution (race, religion, etc.).

Asylum Seeker

A person seeking refuge and safety in another country whose official request for refugee status has not yet been granted.

Economic Migrant

A person who moves from one place to another specifically in search of employment or to improve their standard of living.

Internally Displaced

People forced to leave their homes because they are unsafe but who have not crossed an international national border.

Brain Drain

When a nation loses its highly skilled and educated citizens to more prosperous or advanced economies.

General Assembly (UN)

The UN organ where all 193 member states deliberate on budgets and membership; decisions are not legally binding but signal strong global messages.

Security Council (UN)

The UN organ responsible for maintaining peace and security, consisting of 5 permanent members (P5) and 10 non-permanent members.

Veto Rights

The power held by the P5 members of the UN Security Council to block or stop any proposed international action.

Article 5 (Washington Treaty)

The NATO principle stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all, requiring all other members to support the defense mission.

The Commonwealth

An association of 54 member states (including the UK and India) working to promote goals like democracy, human rights, and environmental protection.

World Trade Organisation (WTO)

An international body of 164 members that helps negotiate trade terms, regulate tariffs, and settle trade disputes.

Council of Europe

A pan-European organisation (distinct from the EU) that established the ECHR to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

Single Market

An EU system allowing the free movement of goods and services between member states without internal borders or regulatory obstacles.

Customs Union

An agreement where no custom duties are paid on goods moving between EU member states and legally imported goods circulate freely.

Mediation

A method of resolving conflict where a neutral party helps both sides discuss issues and reach a voluntary agreement.

Sanctions

Penalties imposed on those who break rules or agreements, such as trade restrictions, expulsion of diplomats, or boycotts.

NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation)

Non-profit groups like Oxfam or the Red Cross that respond to humanitarian crises using specialist knowledge and independent funding.

IPSO

The Independent Press Standards Organisation; it regulates most UK newspapers and magazines and enforces the Editor's Code.

OFCOM

The regulatory body for UK communication services, including TV, radio, and broadband.

Public Interest

Media outputs that inform the public about important incidents or persons they have an entitlement to know about (e.g., COVID-19).

Censorship

The control of information or ideas within a society, often motivated by population protection, state security, or ideological control.

Clicktivism

The use of social media and online platforms to promote a social or political cause (e.g., hashtags or sharing petitions).

Primary Socialisation

The early stages of life where individuals learn their core identity, gender, and values from their family.

Secondary Socialisation

A lifelong process where individuals modify their identity through agencies like media, education, peers, and the workplace.

Hybrid Identity

When an individual gains their sense of self from two nations, such as 'Brasians' (British Asians).

Human Rights Act (1998)

A piece of UK legislation that incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic British law.

Geneva Convention

A set of international humanitarian laws managed by the Red Cross to protect the sick, wounded, prisoners of war, and civilians during conflict.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A court that investigates and tries individuals for the gravest crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Magna Carta (1215)

A historical document that laid the foundations for the English legal system, including concepts like trial by jury and the Rule of Law.

Common Law

Law that is developed by judges through unprecedented rulings on new cases rather than through legislative acts.

Civil Law

Law used to settle disputes between individuals or groups, typically resulting in compensation or specific court orders.

Criminal Law

Law intended to punish wrongdoers who pose a threat to society, typically investigated by the police and brought to court by the CPS.

Summary Offences

Minor criminal acts (e.g., motoring offences) that are heard and settled in a Magistrates’ Court.

Indictable Offences

Serious crimes (e.g., murder or rape) that must be heard and sentenced in a Crown Court.

Magistrate

Volunteer members of the community who hear cases and pass judgment in the Magistrates' Court; they are also known as Justices of the Peace.

Police and Crime Commissioner

An elected citizen responsible for holding local police to account, setting budgets, and appointing chief constables.

Tribunal

A specialist court (less formal than a traditional court) that decides disputes in specific areas like employment, immigration, or mental health.

Ombudsman

An officially appointed organisation that investigates and resolves complaints about private industries or public services.

Conciliation

An ADR method where a neutral third party takes an active role in suggesting compromises to resolve a dispute.

Age of Criminal Responsibility

The age at which a child is considered legally responsible for their actions; it is 10 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but 12 in Scotland.

Deterrence

The aim of punishment intended to put people off from committing crimes.

Rehabilitation

An aim of punishment focusing on changing the behavior of a criminal to prevent future reoffending.

Reparation

A type of punishment where the criminal pays back damages through fines, compensation, or community sentences.

Retribution

An aim of punishment modeled on taking 'revenge' or an act of equal severity, historically associated with the death penalty.

Trade Union

A group of workers in the same profession who join together to protect their rights and represent their collective views.

Employers' Association

Organisations that represent the interests of employers and specific industries, such as the Confederation of British Industry.