Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Leah-AP Comparative Government > Government And Politics In Britain > Flashcards

Government And Politics In Britain Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Government Basics flashcards AP® U.S. Government flashcards American Government 101 flashcards
1
Q

Constitution of the crown

A

In great Britain there is no written constitution it has just evolved over time with common-law, important documents, and customs.

Important documents like the Magna Carta, which limited monarchy, the bill of rights, which gave power to parliament, and common law, which sets precedent for later actions, shape the constitution of the crown

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Historical evolution of national political traditions

A
  • Shaping of the monarchy
  • the ascendancy of parliament
  • challenges of the industrial revolution
  • colonialism
  • Burton and the 20th and early 21st-centuries
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Nationalism

A

Feeling pride for being part of a country

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Insularity

A

The feeling of separation from the continent of Europe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Noblesse oblige

A

The duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower class

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Welfare state

A

The governments responsibility to provide public benefits, such as education, healthcare and transportation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Cultural homogeneity

A

Many Small countries which used to be there own nations joined together under one government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Influences of geography in Great Britain

A
  1. An island- far enough away from the mainland Europe for major production besides a good Navy, yet close enough to maintain interaction
  2. Small size- small resources. Forces it to colonize other lands and become an imperial power.
  3. Small land = small growing season
  4. Climate- chilly, cold, rainy. Britain has large population density, but population distribution is uneven because nobody wants to live in the north.
  5. No major geographic barriers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Traditional legitimacy in Great Britain

A

Great Britain started out being traditional legitimacy, which has a hereditary ruling family, but parliament has slowly taken over most government duties.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Gradualism

A

Slow evolution of government and politics.
Gradualism establishes strong traditions.
EX. transition of policy making power from the king to parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Growing power of parliament marker events

A
  • sighing of the Magna Carta
  • English Civil War
  • The Glorious Revolution
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Examples of when people gained the right to vote

A
  • The Great Reform Act of 1832
  • Reform Act of 1867
  • Representation of the People Act of 1884
  • Women’s suffrage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The Great Reform Act of 1832

A

About 300,000 more men gained the right to vote, and the House of Commons gained more power in relation to the House of Lords.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Reform Act of 1867

A

The electorate reached 3,000,000, as many working class people were given the right to vote.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Representation of the People Act of 1884

A

The electorate was further expanded so that the majority of the voters were working class.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Women’s suffrage

A

In 1918, another representation of the people act enfranchised all males and women over the age of 30 who already had the right to vote in local elections. 8,400,000 women were enfranchised. By 1928, all women 21 and over were allowed to vote.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

the Labour Party

A

created in 1906 to represent the rights of the newly-enfranchised working man.
pushed liberal to third party status

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Union Council

A

a coalition of trade unions that are a major force in british politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Beveridge Report

A

provided social insurance programs that made all citizens eligible for health, unemployment, pensions and other benefits.
Guarantee a subsistence income to every british citizen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Loss of imperial power

A

during world war two great britain lost many of its colonies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Marshal Plan

A

U.S. helped many people, including Great Britain, get back on their feet after World War Two.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

National Health Service

A

created in 1948 by the labour party

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Great Britain = what type of economy

A

Mixed Economy!, the government directing the economy and nationalizing major industries without giving up basic principles of capitalism, such as private ownership of property.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

challenges to the Collective Consensus since 1970

A

In the late 20th century and early 21st century great britain has experienced economic and political turmoil.

  • serious decline of economy
  • growing divide between labour and conservative parties
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

OPEC

A

organization for petroleum exporting countries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Economic Crises of the late 1970s

A

-declining industrial production
-international influence(loss of colonies)
-impact of OPEC(organization for petroleum exporting countries)
LEEDS TO
-labor unions demand higher wages
-coal strike
-labour party loss of members

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Coal strike

A

labor unions demand higher wages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Neoliberalism

A

the revival of classic liberal values that support low levels of government regulation, taxation, and social expenditures and the protection of individual property rights.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Thatcherism

A

Margaret Thatcher

  • conservative
  • she privatized business and industry, cutback on social welfare programs,strengthened national defence, got tough on labor unions, returned to market force controls on the economy.
  • Her policies reflected Neoliberalism
  • prime minister for 11 years.
  • Iron lady
  • her policies redirected Britain’s path to a welfare state
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

John Major

A

Thatchers had picked successor

  • Abolished poll tax
  • Reconciled with the European Union
  • slowed privatization and cutbacks
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Tony Blair

A

After John Major, he was the third wave

  • centrist
  • supported Bush in Iraq in 2003
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Gordon Brown

A

Replaced Tony Blair

-Economic Recession(2008-9)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

David Cameron

A

After Gordon Brown
-Big Society- fed gov do less, local councils do more. Charities and private company do more. Government will help the smaller groups with funding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Social Cleavages in Great Britain

A

Based on Multi-national identities, social class distinctions and religious differences in Northern Ireland

35
Q

The Parts Of The United Kingdom

A
  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
36
Q

England

A
  • The Largest Region of Great Britain

- contains majority of population

37
Q

Wales

A

-West of England

38
Q

Scotland

A

-Joined with England through intermarriage of the royalty

39
Q

Northern Ireland

A
  • long history of arguing over religion with England
  • IRA convinced the british with gorilla warfare to allow irish independence, but the northern part of Ireland still remained part of the United Kingdom.
40
Q

Solidarity

A

The belief that the sense of family and friends is more important than individual success.

41
Q

Ethnic Minorities

A 
Only 7% of the British population is of non-European origins. Most people come from ex British colonies.
The main groups are:
1. Indian
2. Pakistan
3.Afro-Caribbean
4. Black African
42
Q

Distinct Minority/Majority Cleavages

A

Muslims in Great Britain have an identity of being incredibly distinct from the well established majority.

43
Q

Social Class Differences of Muslims

A

Many British Muslims tend to be disaffected and unemployed, in contrast to in the United States were many muslims are relatively well-off

44
Q

Pakistani Muslims

A

Most british muslims come from Pakistan.

45
Q

Opposition of the Iraqi War

A

Many british Citizens were not in favor of the Iraqi war.

46
Q

Lack of integration of minorities

A

Many minorities feel they are treated as second class citizens.

47
Q

Civic Culture in Great Britain

A

Political culture in Great Britain is characterized by trust, deference to authority and competence, pragmatism, and harmony.

48
Q

Manifestations of changing political beliefs and values are:

A
  • Decreasing supports for labor unions
  • Increasing violence regarding Northern Ireland
  • Thatcherism
  • New Labour (tony Blair) (Third Wave)
  • Protests over the Iraq War
49
Q

Voting Behavior

A
  1. Social Class

2. Regional Factors

50
Q

Parliamentary

A

the prime minister and cabinet ministers are actually members of the legislature

51
Q

Linkage Institutuions

A

play and important role in british government and politics. Political parties interest groups and media have long connected the government to its citizens

52
Q

Political parties

A

1-Labour(Whigs)
2- Conservative(Tory)
3-Liberal Democratic Alliance

53
Q

Caucuses

A

they are meetings of people from the same area or like mind

54
Q

Hung parliament

A

where no party gained no party and a coalition party has formed

55
Q

Labour Party

A

The largest party on the left. It began as an alliance of trade unions and socialist groups and has moved towards the center since the 1990’s. Generally very supportive of european union membership . Started when the industrial revolution was happening

56
Q

Conservative party

A

the main party on the right. Split between 2 wings.
1- the traditional wing(values noblesse oblige and wants the country to be ruled by an elite who takes everybody’s interests into consideration before making decision and i generally supports the the european union)
2- the thatcherite wing- strict conservatives who want to role back government controls and move to a full free market. Often referred to as euroskeptics. because they see the EU’s move toward european integration and a threat to european sovereignty

57
Q

Liberal Democrats

A

coalition between the liberals and the social democrats

58
Q

elections

A

the only national officials that British voters elect are members of parliament.Prime minister is not elected as prime minister but as a MP from a single electoral disctrict. Elections must be held every five years but a prime minister may call them earlier, this is important because they can call them when they think the majority party has a best chance of winning

59
Q

Plurality Electoral systems

A

the same as the USA . Its a winner take all situation. You don’t have to get the majority just the most votes.

60
Q

Interest groups

A

britain has well established interest groups that demonstrate interest group pluralism with relatively autonomous groups competing with one another for influence in policy makings

61
Q

Quangos

A

quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organizations or policy advisory boars appointed by the governments

62
Q

trade unions congress

A

it represents a coalition of unions, had a great deal of clout because the government often consulted them on important decisions

63
Q

Parliamentary

A

in a parliamentary system, the executive branch is fused with the legislative branch because the Prime Minister and the cabinet are actually the leaders of parliament.

64
Q

Unitary State

A

Britain has a unitary state. the government is centralized in one spot, London. Decisions made by the central government are binding on all public agencies.

65
Q

The Collective Cabinet

A

the center of policy making. The prime minister has the responsibility of shaping decisions into policy.

66
Q

The Prime Minister

A

The “first among equals”
~Speaks legitimately for all members of parliament
~Chooses cabinet ministers and important subordinate posts
~makes decisions in the cabinet, with the agreement of the ministers
~Campaigns for and represents the party in parliamentary elections
~Serves all long they are the leader of the majority party
~Elected as a member of parliament
~Has an excellent chance of getting their programs past parliament

67
Q

House of Comons

A

Majority party and loyal opposition.

68
Q

Vote of no Confidence

A

A vote to check to make sure government is is still legitimate.

69
Q

Parliamentary Sovereignty

A

The principle that parliament’s decisions are final.

70
Q

Why does Parliament have so much power?

A

Because its members:

  • debate and refine potential legislations
  • are the only ones who may become party leaders and ultimately may head the government.
  • scrutinize the administration of laws
  • keep communication lines open between voters and ministers.
71
Q

House of Lords

A

delay legislation and debate technicalities of proposed bills. May add amendments to legislation but house of commons may delete their changes.

72
Q

Hereditary peers

A

Lords in the house of lords that have had their seats passed down through family ties

73
Q

Life peers

A

people appointed member of the house of lords with non hereditary positions as a result of distinguished service

74
Q

The Bureaucracy

A

a stable and powerful force in the political system.
top civil servants often have a great deal of input into policy making, including DISCRETIONARY POWER to make many decisions in implementing legislative and executive decisions.

75
Q

British Courts

A

British Courts can only determine whether government decisions violate the common law or previous acts of parliament

76
Q

Supreme Court

A

has a president and 11 justices

77
Q

Liberalism

A

The basis for Britain’s political economy.The philosophy that emphasizes political and economic freedoms for the individual and the market.

78
Q

Collective Consensus

A

Both conservative and labor agreed that the government should take action to secure full employment, expand social services, maintain a steady rate of growth and keep prices stable.
A great deal of gov. Control of the economy. National industry.

79
Q

Keynesianism

A

the government should take action to secure full employment, expand social services, maintain a steady rate of growth and keep prices stable.

80
Q

Misery Index

A

Inflation(prices go up)plus unemployment

81
Q

British Insularity

A

britain tends to keep its allies at arm’s length away

82
Q

Devolution

A

Turning over some political powers to regional governments.

83
Q

Transparency in uk gov

A

MPs start steeling money from gov. and it looses its transparency.

Leah-AP Comparative Government (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions