Definitions (Ch 10+11)

Question 1

Devolution

Answer 1

Transfer of political power from central government to subnational government

Question 2

Unitary State

Answer 2

Homogeneous state where power is concentrated at political centre, and all parts of state are governed identically

Question 3

Union State

Answer 3

Strong centre, but some parts of the state are governed slightly differently

Question 4

Federal State

Answer 4

Sharing of power, enshrined in a constitution, between national and regional authorities

Question 5

Administrative devolution

Answer 5

Political power concentrated in centre but special arrangements are made to account for distinctive regional interests. No regional assemblies

Question 6

Legislative devolution

Answer 6

Creation of separate Parliaments, which have some policy making powers transferred to them

Question 7

Barnett Formula

Answer 7

A formula devised by Joel Barnett MP in 1978 which determines relative levels of public spending in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Question 8

Asymmetric devolution

Answer 8

Political arrangements are not uniform, but differ from region to region

Question 9

West Lothian Question

Answer 9

Why should Scottish MPs be able to vote on English matters at Westminster when English MPs can’t vote on matters devolved to Scottish Parliament?

Question 10

Quasi-federalism

Answer 10

Central government of unitary state devolves some of its power to subnational government

Question 11

Direct rule

Answer 11

When central government retakes all devolved power from an assembly in times of crisis

Question 12

Multi-level governance

Answer 12

Policy competences are shared between local, regional, national and supranational bodies

Question 13

Quangos

Answer 13

Quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations - unelected public bodies responsible for the fundong or regulation of certain areas of public policy

Question 14

Local government

Answer 14

A system in which elected local authorities provide manly local services directly, and are accountable to voters at local elections

Question 15

Enabling authorities

Answer 15

Local authorities that set the framework in which other bodies provide local services, but do not provide these services themselves

Question 16

Supranational

Answer 16

An organisation where nation states transfer sovereignly to a larger institution, whose subsequent legislation takes precedence over national legislation

Question 17

Integration

Answer 17

The process of coordinating the activities of different states through common institutions and policies

Question 18

Economic and monetary union

Answer 18

Creation of a single currency, central bank and commone monetary policy

Question 19

Opt-out

Answer 19

An exemption negotiated by a state, which means it does not have to partake in a specific policy

Question 20

Qualified Majority Voting

Answer 20

Voting arrangement where proposals must win a set number of votes (more than 50%) to be passed

Question 21

Unanimity

Answer 21

Voting arrangement in which states can veto proposals

Question 22

European Commission

Answer 22

Executive body of EU. Independent from member states. Acts in general interests of the Union.

Question 23

Functions and Powers of European Commission

Answer 23

Sole right to initiate draft legislation. Executes and administers EU legislation. Represents EU in international trade negotiations.

Question 24

Council of the European Union

Answer 24

Government ministers from 28 member states take key decisions on EU legislation

Question 25

Functions and powers of Council of the EU

Answer 25

Shares legislative power with European Parliament. Coordinates broad economic policy of member states. Develops common foreign and security policy

Question 26

European Council

Answer 26

Meeting place of 28 heads of states (PMs, First Ministers etc)

Question 27

Functions and powers of the European Council

Answer 27

Discuss international affairs, setting agenda for the EU, agree treaty changes

Question 28

European Parliament

Answer 28

Directly elected body made up of 766 MEPs, who are distributed based on population

Question 29

Functions and powers of the European Parliament

Answer 29

Vote on proposed legislation, joint budgetary authority, oversees activity of European Commission

Question 30

European Court of Justice

Answer 30

Upholds EU law, decides cases involving each member state - one judge from each member state

Question 31

Democratic deficit

Answer 31

Erosion of accountability when decision-making authority is transferred from national governments to the EU

Question 32

Neo-functionalism

Answer 32

Interest groups and supranational bodies are the most important actors in the integration process

Question 33

Intergovernmentalism

Answer 33

National governments are most important in making change in the EU

Question 34

Supranationalism

Answer 34

Major EU developments came about as a result of supranational coalitions

Question 35

Multi-level governance

Answer 35

Subnational, national and supranational all have policy competences