Unit 2 AP Comp Gov

Executive

The chief political power in a state, usually a president or a prime minister.

Bureaucracy

A large set of unelected officials who implement the law.

Legislature

A group of lawmakers that passes laws and represents citizens.

Judiciary

The system of courts that interprets the law and applies it to individual cases.

Parliamentary System

A system in which the executive and legislature are fused.

Member of Parliament (MP)

A person elected to serve in the legislature.

Prime Minister (PM)

The head of government in a parliamentary system, who is selected by the majority party.

Vote of Confidence

A method to check the power of the PM.

Vote of No Confidence

A vote by parliament to remove a government from power.

Presidential System

A system in which the executive and the legislature are elected independently and have separate powers.

Separation of Powers

A division of power among the major branches of government.

Divided Government

When one or both houses of the legislature are controlled by a political party other than the party of the president.

Semi-Presidential System

A system that divides executive power between a directly elected president and a prime minister.

Term Limits

Restrictions on the number of terms the executive may serve.

Impeachment

The process of removing a president from office before the end of his or her term.

Cabinet

The heads of major departments or ministries in the bureaucracy.

Unicameral Legislature

A legislature with one chamber.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislature with two chambers.

Legislative Independence

The ability of the legislature to act independently of the executive.

Legislative Oversight

The power of the legislature to hold cabinet officials and members of the bureaucracy accountable.

Judicial Review

The power of the highest court to review and overturn government actions that violate laws.

Common Law

A legal system in which previous written opinions serve as precedent for future cases.

Judicial Independence

The ability of judges to decide cases free from interference from politically powerful officials.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the central government to regional governments.

Political Culture

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that shape political behavior.

Welfare State

A government system that provides social and economic assistance to its citizens.

First Past The Post (FPTP)

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, without needing a majority.

Question Time

A parliamentary session where the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs.

Collective Responsibility

A principle where the cabinet must present a united front on policy decisions.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament, which has the power to debate and pass legislation.

House of Lords

The upper house of Parliament, which can delay legislation.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.

Brexit

The term used to describe the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.

Liberal Democracy

A type of government that emphasizes individual liberties and democratic governance.