Chapter 5 Flashcards
Democracy
A political system in which political power is exercised, either directly or indirectly by the people
Liberal Democracy
A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedoms and civil rights.
Civil Rights
Individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime
Civil Liberties
Individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime
Republicanism
Indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elective officials
Separation of Powers
The clear division of power among different branches of government and the provision that specifies branches may check the power of the other branches.
Civil Society
Organizations outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests
Executive
The branch of government that carries out the laws and policies of the state
Head of state
The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally
Head of government
The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state such as formulating and executing policy.
Legislature
The branch of government charged with making laws
Bicameral system
A political system in which the legislature comprises two houses
Unicameral system
A political system in which the legislature comprises one house
Rule of Law
A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to law, irrespective of their power or authority.
Constitutional court
The highest judicial body in a political system that decides whether laws and policies violate the constitution
Judicial review
The mechanism by which courts can review the actions of government and overturn those that violate the constitution
Concrete review
Judicial review that allows a constitutional court to rule on the basis of actual legal disputes brought before
Abstract review
Judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on questions that do not arise from actual legal disputes.
Parliamentary system
A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are assigned to separate executive offices
Vote of no confidence
Vote taken by legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current Prime Minister; depending on the country a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the Prime Minister and/or lead a new parliamentary elections.
Presidential system
A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are combined in one executive office
Semi-presidential system
An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a President and a Prime Minister
Electoral system
A set of rules that govern how votes are cast, counted and translated into seats in a legislature
Constituency
A geographical area that an elective official represents
Single-member district (SMD)
An electoral district with one legislative seat
Proportional representation (PR)
An electoral system in which political parties compete in multimember districts; voters choose between parties, and the seats in the district are awarded proportionately, according to the results of the vote.
First past the post
An electoral system in which individual candidates compete in single-member districts; voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the largest share of the vote wins the seat.
Multi-member district (MMD)
An electoral district with more than one seat
Mixed electoral system
An electoral system that uses a combination of a single-member districts and proportional represent.
Referendum
A national vote called by a government to address a specific proposal, often a change to the constitution.
Initiative
A national vote called by members of the public to address a specific proposal
