AQA GCSE CITIZENSHIP - PAPER 1 - KEY TERMS Flashcards
anarchy (def)
system where there is no form of government opperates. When there is a total breakdown in society., for example, after a civil war
a state of anarchy is said to exist
dictatorship (def)
rule by one person or group. This group is all-powerful. Often associated with a military takeover of a state.
One -party state (def)
A state where only one political party exists and runs the country; often associated with a communist form of government i.e N. Korea
Theocracy (def)
where religious leaders run the state. I.e Iran
Democracy (def)
System of government based of the consent of the people through an open and fair electoral systems
Direct democracy (def)
system of government where all citizens partake in decision-making. A modern form of direct democracy is the use of referendums
Liberal democracy (def)
A system of government based upon representative democracy and linked to freedoms and rights of citizens
Representative Democracy (def)
a system of government where citizens are elected to represent others in an assembly. UK example - councillor or MP
Freedom (def)
the ability to act, speak or think as one thinks
Responsibility (def)
the state or fact of having to do something
Right (def)
a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something
Bicameral (def)
the name given to the parliament made up of 2 chambers. UK = House of Commons & House of Lords
Civil service (def)
employees of the state who administer our public body
Legislature (def)
a body normally elected that decides upon the laws that apply to a state. UK = Parliament US= Congress
Manifesto (def)
a document produced by a political party at the time of an election outlining the policies it would like to intro.
The monarchy (def)
a system of hereditary power, which is passed down a family line
In the UK = constitutional monarch
The Prime Minister (def)
Head of gov. Usually, leader of the largest party in House of Commons & an MP.
appointed by monarch after General election
AKA First Lord of the treasury
Central government (def)
term used to describe the gov. of the UK
Devolved government (def)
name given to the bodies created under the policy of devolution I.e the scottish parliament
Tiers (def)
another term for levels of government
devolution (def)
the decentralisation of power from a greater body to a lesser body
General election (def)
an election when the entire UK Gov. is elected. Elections are held after fixed 5 year period after the previous election.
Devolved and reserved powers (def)
devolved powers are those transferred by the UK gov. to devolved powers. Reserved Powers are those which are still held by UK Gov.
Ultra vies (def)
acting beyond your legal power or authority
Local elections (def)
elections held for councillors to local councils, held on a fixed date in May after the fixed term of office has expired
The electoral commission
a government-established body that monitors & oversees all UK elecions & referendums
Voter apathy (def)
a lack of interest by citizens in the electoral and political process