Democracy

Question 1

Consent

Answer 1

Government is approved by the people, this is demonstrated through free elections (often called democratic legitimacy)

Question 2

Democratic legitimacy

Answer 2

A government is legitimate through being elected by the people.

Question 3

Coercive power

Answer 3

Using extreme physical force against opponents or anyone who threatens the security of the state

Question 4

Political power

Answer 4

Power executed by members of the political community (party leaders). They can issue positive and negative sanctions.

Question 5

Welfare state

Answer 5

A title given to services that are run by the state and funded through taxes , to which all citizens are entitled (e.g. NHS)

Question 6

Direct democracy

Answer 6

The people make all the key decisions (referendums)

Question 7

Representative democracy

Answer 7

The people elect representatives to make political decisions on their behalf

Question 8

Accountability

Answer 8

Those who have been elected must be made responsible for their policies and decisions.

Question 9

Redress of grievances

Answer 9

Taking up the case of an individual constituent who feels they have suffered an injustice.

Question 10

Manifesto

Answer 10

Parties published policies and intentions produced during an election.

Question 11

Decentralisation

Answer 11

Process of spreading power away from central to local government.

Question 12

Mandate

Answer 12

A party that has been elected to govern has the authority to carry out its manifesto.

Question 13

Civil society

Answer 13

All the associations including pressure groups, religions, parties, charities to which citizens belong in which they become active.

Question 14

Limited government

Answer 14

The powers of the government have strict limits which will be enforced by the judiciary.

Question 15

Democratic deficit

Answer 15

Features of the political system which do not conform to the normal criteria for a true democracy.

Question 16

Elitism

Answer 16

A society or political system where power and influence are concentrated in the hands of a few people and organisations.

Question 17

Pluralism

Answer 17

The idea that in a society a wide variety of beliefs, religions can flourish and many parties and associations active, finally that power is widely dispersed.

Question 18

E-democracy

Answer 18

Democracy that is carried out online in the form of an e-petition and other online campaigns.

Question 19

Franchise

Answer 19

(essentially the same as suffrage) the right to vote, franchise has been extended over the years to include all adults over 18.

Question 20

Suffragettes

Answer 20

Campaigners advocating votes for women.

Question 21

Clickocracy

Answer 21

Increasing practice of taking part in surveys, petitions and political campaigns by registering one’s opinion online.

Question 22

Influential power

Answer 22

The weakest form of power, for example, newspapers have power but really we mean influence as they cannot enforce any rules.

Question 23

Authority

Answer 23

The right to exercise power

Question 24

Traditional authority

Answer 24

The right to govern exists because authority has existed over a long period of time

Question 25

Charismatic authority

Answer 25

Refers to an individuals ability to inspire and persuade and attract a following

Question 26

Legal-rational authority

Answer 26

Refers to any rational way of granting authority in practice this has always been through election.

Question 27

Sovereignty

Answer 27

The full right and power of a governing body, supreme authority

Question 28

The state

Answer 28

The permanent collection of institutions that administers a territory

Question 29

Legislature

Answer 29

The law-making body, they provide formal consent to propose laws

Question 30

Executive

Answer 30

Executes and enforces law, administers the country.

Question 31

Judiciary

Answer 31

Refers to the legal system, more concerned with criminal matters instead of politics.

Question 32

Bill of rights

Answer 32

Codified set of citizen’s rights, commonly attached to the constitution.

Question 33

Suffrage

Answer 33

The right to vote.

Question 34

Ideology

Answer 34

A coherent set of well-established ideas that propose specific changes in society.