Definitions Flashcards
What is the definition of Parliament?
Parliament is the supreme legislature in the UK, consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Monarchy
What is the definition of the Westminster Model?
The Westminster Model, is the UK system of government, where parliament lies at the centre of the political system and government is drawn from parliament and is thus accountable to parliament
What is the definition of Representative and Responsible Government?
A government that is answerable or accountable to an elected assembly and, through it, to the people
What is the definition of Parliamentary Government?
Parliamentary Government is a system of politics where government is drawn from Parliament and is accountable to Parliament
What is the definition of Presedential Government?
Presedential Government, is where in contrast to Parliamentary government, a president normally has a separate source of authority from that of the legislature so the executive (president) is accountable directly to the people
The USA’s government structure is a good example of this
What is the definition of Separation of Powers?
Seperation of Powers, is where the state is divided into branches, each with separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility (legislature, executive and judiciary) so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with the powers associated with the other branches
These are clearly set out in the US constitution
What is the definition of Fusion?
Fusion is where the executive and legislature and sometimes parts of the judiciary are unified
The Lord Chancellor’s role was previously an excellent example of this
What is the definition of Bicameralism?
Bicameralism is where the legislature has two branches
What is the definition of Accountability?
Accountability is a political principle which suggests that an individual or institution has to account for what it does and for its policies
This may be shown by select committees, PMQ and other debates
What is the definition of Backbencher?
An MP who does not hold a ministerial or ‘shadow’ ministerial post; so called because they tend to sit on the back benches
Jeremy Quin is an example of this (MP for Horsham)
What is the definition of Frontbencher?
An MP who holds a ministerial or ‘shadow’ post and who usually sits on the front benches
Jeremy Hunt and Emily Thornberry are examples of this
What is the definition of Legislature?
The legislature is the branch of government that has the power to make laws through the formal enactment of legislation
What is the definition of Private Member’s Bill?
A Private Member’s Bill is a bill proposed by an MP who is not a member of the government, usually through an annual ballot
The Assisted Dying Bill is a current example of this
What is the definition of Minority Government?
A Minority Government is a government that does not have overall majority support in the assembly or parliament; minority governments are usually formed by single parties that are unable or unwilling to form coalitions
Wilson’s government in 1974 is an example of this
What is the definition of Select Committees?
There is one Select Committee for each government department, examining three aspects: spending, policies and administration. They have a minimum of 11 members, who decide upon the line of inquiry and then gather written and oral evidence. Findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on hte Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee’s recommendations
