Unit 2: The United Kingdom - Political Systems, Institutions, and Economy

Vocabulary flashcards covering the UK political system, regime history, devolution, economic eras, executive and legislative institutions, cleavages, and political culture.

Unitary State

A political system where ultimate political power resides in the central government in London, specifically with the House of Commons and the Prime Minister.

Devolution

The statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The core constitutional principle that Parliament is the supreme executive, legislative, and judicial authority, capable of making, amending, or repealing any law without override by courts or the executive.

Gradualism

The historical pattern of political change in the UK characterized by a slow, steady evolution of traditions and incremental legal reforms, such as the Magna Carta in 1215.

Unwritten Constitution

An uncodified constitutional framework formed by accumulated traditions, Acts of Parliament, legal precedents, and unwritten conventions rather than a single written document.

Collectivist Consensus

The post-World War II period (1945–1979) of cross-party agreement between Labour and Conservatives that the state should actively manage the economy and provide a comprehensive welfare state.

Beveridge Report (1942)

A landmark 1942 report by Sir William Beveridge recommending a 'cradle to grave' welfare state, leading to the creation of the NHS and social security.

Thatcherism

The conservative political and economic policy era (1979–1990) led by Margaret Thatcher, characterized by neoliberal policies, deregulation, privatization, social service cuts, and confronting labor unions.

Neoliberalism

An economic policy ideology promoting free trade, deregulation, privatization of state industries, and a reduced role for the government in the economy.

The Third Way

A centrist policy approach adopted by New Labour under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown starting in the 1990s, blending center-right economic practices with center-left social welfare policies.

Human Rights Act (1998)

UK legislation incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic law, allowing citizens to challenge rights violations in UK courts while preserving parliamentary sovereignty.

Declaration of Incompatibility

A formal ruling by UK courts under the Human Rights Act (1998) stating that a statutory law violates ECHR rights, which highlights rights issues without striking down the law.

First Past the Post (FPTP)

A single-member district plurality electoral system where a candidate wins a constituency seat simply by receiving more votes than any other single competitor.

Bicameralism

A national legislative system structured into two separate chambers or houses, such as the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Life Peers

Members of the House of Lords appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, holding peerages for life that cannot be inherited by descendants.

Lords Spiritual

The 26 senior bishops of the Church of England who hold seats in the UK House of Lords.

Good Friday Agreement (1998)

A 1998 historic peace accord that established a power-sharing executive and assembly in Northern Ireland, bringing an end to the majority of political violence during The Troubles.

The Troubles

A period of severe violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the 1960s to 1998 between Loyalist/Unionist Protestants wanting to stay in the UK and Nationalist/Republican Catholics advocating unification with Ireland.

Holyrood

The devolved unicameral Scottish Parliament located in Edinburgh, created after a successful referendum in 1997.

Senedd Cymru

The official name of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff, the devolved legislative body responsible for domestic affairs such as NHS Wales, education, and Welsh culture.

Stormont

The Parliament Buildings in Belfast housing the devolved, power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly.

Westminster

The location of the central bicameral UK Parliament in London, holding supreme legislative authority over the United Kingdom.

Poll Tax (1989)

A flat-rate local government tax introduced by Margaret Thatcher charging all adults the same amount regardless of income, sparking major riots in 1990 and contributing to her resignation.

Austerity Policies (2010s)

Economic measures introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government following the global financial crisis, featuring 20% spending cuts to reduce state deficit.

Coinciding Cleavages

Social, economic, and regional divisions that align the same identity groups against each other, compounding social tensions and destabilizing political systems.

Cross-Cutting Cleavages

Divisions along social, political, or economic lines that overlap across different groups, helping to diffuse conflict and stabilize society.

Prevent Duty

A statutory counterterrorism obligation in the UK that requires public bodies, including universities, to prevent individuals from being radicalized or drawn into extremist ideology.

Terminology of the British Isles Map

A breakdown distinguishing geographical terms (British Isles, Great Britain) from political entities (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland).