AP Gov Comp Unit 2

Presidential System: A system of government where the executive branch (the president) is separate from the legislature and holds significant powers, typically for a fixed term.

Parliamentary System: A system where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature, and the head of government is typically the prime minister.

Semi-Presidential System: A system that combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, where a president exists alongside a prime minister, and both have significant powers.

Prime Minister: The head of government in a parliamentary system, often the leader of the majority party in the legislature, responsible for running the government.

Coalition Government: A government formed by multiple political parties that join together to hold a majority, often due to no single party having enough seats to govern alone.

Member of Parliament (MP): An elected representative in the legislative body of a parliamentary system.

Vote of No Confidence: A vote in a parliamentary system where the legislature can remove the government or prime minister if they believe it is no longer supported by the majority.

Unicameral Legislature: A legislature with one legislative body or chamber.

Common Law: A system of law based on judicial precedents and case law rather than on written statutes.

Code Law: A legal system based on written codes or statutes, typically found in civil law systems.

Judicial Independence: The principle that judges should be free from influence or pressure from the government or other powerful entities when making decisions.

Devolution: The transfer of certain powers from the central government to regional or local governments.

Civil Service System: The professional body of government employees who work for the government, providing administrative support and policy implementation.

Welfare State: A government system that provides financial support and services to citizens in need, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits.

Noblesse Oblige: The moral obligation of the privileged or wealthy to act with generosity and responsibility toward those less fortunate.

Unitary System: A system where power is concentrated in a central government, and any regional governments derive their authority from the central government.

Neoliberalism: An economic and political philosophy that favors free-market capitalism, privatization, deregulation, and limited government intervention.

National Health Service (NHS): The publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, which provides health services that are free at the point of use for UK residents.

Austerity Measures: Government policies aimed at reducing budget deficits through cuts in government spending, often in public services and welfare.

Labour Party: A center-left political party in the UK, traditionally representing the working class and advocating for social democracy.

Conservative Party: A center-right political party in the UK, advocating for free-market policies, traditional values, and limited government intervention.

Scottish National Party: A political party in Scotland that advocates for Scottish independence and social democracy.

Sinn Féin: A political party that operates both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, advocating for Irish republicanism and unification.

Liberal Democrats: A centrist political party in the UK that advocates for social liberalism, civil liberties, and electoral reform.

UKIP: The UK Independence Party, which advocates for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and a focus on national sovereignty.

Plaid Cymru: A political party in Wales advocating for Welsh independence and social democracy.

Parliament: The supreme legislative body in the UK, made up of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

“Government”: Refers to the executive branch of government, including the prime minister and their cabinet, responsible for running the country.

Referendum: A direct vote by the electorate on a particular issue or policy.

Monarch: The ceremonial head of state in the UK, currently Queen Elizabeth II (as of the date of this response), who holds a symbolic role with no direct involvement in government decisions.

House of Commons: The lower house of the UK Parliament, consisting of elected Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent constituencies.

House of Lords: The upper house of the UK Parliament, composed of appointed members, including life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers.

Supreme Court: The highest court in the UK, which serves as the final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases.

Coalition Government: A government formed when no single party has a majority, and multiple parties join together to govern.

Head of Government: The person responsible for running the country, usually the prime minister or president.

Head of State: The ceremonial representative of the country, often the monarch or president, but without significant governing powers.

Fusion of Powers: A system where the executive and legislative branches are combined, typical in parliamentary systems.

Cabinet Government: A system where the executive powers are held by a cabinet of ministers, often headed by the prime minister, in which each member is responsible for a specific department.

Backbencher: A Member of Parliament who does not hold a ministerial or shadow ministerial position and typically sits behind the frontbenchers in the legislative body.

Shadow Cabinet: A group of senior opposition party members who scrutinize and offer alternatives to the government's policies.

Constitutional Monarchy: A system where the monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution, and the real governing authority rests with elected representatives.

Parliamentary Sovereignty: The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority, which can create or end any law.

Westminster Model: A system of government based on the parliamentary system, typically characterized by a bicameral legislature, a parliamentary sovereignty, and a fusion of executive and legislative branches.

Question Hour/Time: A period in Parliament when MPs can ask the government questions regarding its policies and administration.

Whitehall (Civil Service): Refers to the UK government’s civil service, housed in Whitehall in central London, responsible for policy implementation and public administration.

Vote of No Confidence: A vote where Parliament can remove the government if it no longer enjoys the support of the majority of MPs.

Collective Responsibility: The principle that all members of the cabinet must publicly support government decisions, even if they disagree privately.

Nature of British Constitution: The UK has an uncodified or "unwritten" constitution, based on statutes, conventions, judicial decisions, and works of authority.

UK Judicial Review: The power of courts to review the legality of actions taken by the government or other public bodies.

Brexit: The UK’s decision to leave the European Union, following a referendum in 2016.

20th Century (Class): Refers to the division of British society into different social classes (e.g., working-class, middle-class), with political alignments based on class interests.

21st Century (Religion/Ethnicity): The growing importance of religious and ethnic identities in political affiliations, with a focus on multiculturalism and the integration of minority groups.

Regional (Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English): Refers to the distinct political identities and issues faced by the different nations within the UK, such as Scottish independence or Welsh autonomy.