Classifying Governments Flashcards
What is the principle of sovereignty in a democracy?
People are sovereign
In a democracy, the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed.
Define Direct Democracy.
Vote on issues
In a direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making.
Define Indirect Democracy.
Vote on representatives
In an indirect democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is a Dictatorship?
Dictator is sovereign
In a dictatorship, a single leader or group holds significant power without effective constitutional limitations.
Are all dictatorships authoritarian?
True
Dictatorships are characterized by the concentration of power in a single leader or group.
What distinguishes totalitarian dictatorships?
Dictator makes all decisions both personal and public
Totalitarian regimes seek to control every aspect of public and private life.
What is the difference between autocrats and oligarchs?
Autocrats are single rulers; oligarchs are a few ruling together
Autocracy refers to rule by one, while oligarchy refers to rule by a small group.
Define a Unitary State.
All government power exists in one body/place
In a unitary state, the central government holds supreme power, with any administrative divisions being subordinate.
A unitary state is a state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority
What is an example of a Unitary Power?
British Parliament
The British Parliament exemplifies a unitary government system where central authority is paramount.
What is a Confederacy?
Sovereign units that choose to lend power to a central government
In a confederacy, the member states retain their sovereignty and delegate certain powers to a central authority.
a “firm league of friendship”
In a Federal system, how is power distributed?
Share power between central and co-equal units
Federal systems have multiple levels of government, each with its own authority.
What is the role of the Legislative branch?
Makes laws.
What is the role of the Executive branch?
Turns laws into reality.
How are the Executive and Legislative powers related?
They are separate.
How are the branches of government chosen?
Branches are chosen independently.
What type of government does the UK have?
Parliamentary (predominant).
Who is Keir Starmer?
A member of Parliament and leader of the Labour Party.
How is Keir Starmer elected?
He was voted in by people in his district to represent them.
What party holds the majority in Parliament?
The Labour Party.
Who chooses the Prime Minister in a majority party?
The majority party chooses the Prime Minister.
Who did the Labour Party choose as Prime Minister?
They chose Keir Starmer.
How many Members of Parliament (MPs) are there in the UK House of Commons?
650
The House of Commons represents 650 districts.
What are the two main political parties in the UK Parliament?
- Labor
- Conservative (Tories)
These parties dominate the political landscape in the UK.
What happens after newly elected members of Parliament are chosen?
They go to the first session of Parliament
This marks the beginning of their term.
Who picks the Prime Minister in the UK?
The party majority picks from among their nominees
The selection is based on the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons.
What percentage of the vote did Labor receive if they pick the Prime Minister?
52%
This indicates a majority in the House of Commons.
What percentage of the vote did the Conservative party receive?
48%
This reflects their standing in the election compared to Labor.
How often must a general election be held in the UK?
Every 5 years
This is a requirement unless there are special circumstances.
What can the House of Commons do if they don’t have confidence in the Prime Minister?
They can call for a bill to be voted on
This can lead to the Parliament being reformed.
What is the formal title of the UK government?
His Majesty’s Government
This title reflects the constitutional monarchy of the UK.
