Key Terms Flashcards
Citizenship
Being a citizen of a country and being vested with the right and responsibilities of that state
Common law
Law made by the decisions of judges over the years
Criminal law
Law which deals with individuals who break the law, and which punishes offenders because they have broken laws that parliament has stated we must all obey
Democracy
A system of government, where citizens are able to vote in regular and fair elections for representatives, who will make laws and decisions on their behalf
Executive
The branch of the government, which is responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect
EU (European Union)
An economic and political union between a number of European countries, who work closely together
First past the post
The voting system used in the UK to elect members of some local councils and members of parliament, whereby the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
Coalition
An agreement between political parties to form a government
Direct democracy
Where the people decide on the policy directly, for example through a vote or referendum on each issue
General election
When the citizens of a country vote to elect a new government. A general election in the UK usually happens once every 5 years
Government
The individuals who have been elected to run the state, led by the prime minister (PM) in the uk
Houses of commons
An elected body currently consisting of 650 members of parliament. It is the lower house of parliament and meets in the Palace of Westminster
Houses of lords
The upper house of parliament, meeting in the Palace of Westminster. It comprises of life peers and hereditary peers, who scrutinise the bills approved by the House of Commons.
Human rights
Basic rights and freedoms which all people are entitled to
Interest group
An organisation which tries to influence the government to adopt certain policies on a particular issue.
Judiciary
Branch of the state that is responsible for enforcing the law. It comprises judges and other legal officials.
Juries
A group of local people who are chosen randomly to make a decision in a legal case.
Legislature
The law making body of the state ie the Parliament
Lobbying
A person or group of people meeting or taking action (eg writing letters, demonstrating, petitioning) to try to persuade a politician to take up their cause
Local government
A system of government that operates at a local level providing services to its community.
LOCALISM
When people in a particular local area are able to make decisions about policies which affect their local area
Media = a means of communication
Mass media: television, radio, printed media which can reach a large number of people.
New media: the internet and social media
Migration
The movement of people between different countries
Monarchy
A form of government in which a king or queen reigns as the head of a state. The UK is a constitutional monarchy.
Multiple identities
When an individual is able to assume a range of different identities. These identities may clash
Multiculturalism
The co-existence of different ethnic races, cultures or religions
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
An international military defence organisation comprising of different club who work together to try and settle disputes amongst nations
NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation)
A non-profit, voluntary group of citizens who work on a local, national or international level to achieve an aim. They are not controlled by a government, but will often work closely with them. An example of an NGO is save the the children
Parliament
The institution of government in the UK. It comprises of three parts parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch.
Petition
A formal, written request, usually signed by many people, which appeals to the authorities to bring change in regard to a particular issue
Petition
A formal, written request, usually signed by many people, which appeals to the authorities to bring about change in regard to a particular issue
Police
An official state organisation which is responsible for maintaining public order by preventing and detecting crime
Pressure group
An organised group of people who take action together to try to bring about change regarding a specific issue.
Prime Minister (PM)
The head of a government
Public spending
The money spent by the state
Referendum
A general vote by the electorate on a single issue which has been referred to them for a direct decision. It is a form of direct democracy.
Responsibilities
A duty that we are expected to do as a citizen of a country
Rights
A right is something we are entitled to by law
Sentencing
The process of giving a punishment to a person guilty in a court case.
Society
The people living together in an ordered community.
Taxation
The way in which the government finances some of its spending by imposing charges on citizens and corporations
Trade unions
A group of workers in the same trade or profession who have joined together to protect their rights.
UN (United Nations)
An international organisation comprising of most countries in the world which aims to promote peace, security and international cooperation. The UK is a permanent member of the security council with the ability to veto any decisions
Volunteering
When one person gives their own time to help others without being paid.
Voter apathy
When a lot of people decide not to vote in an election
WTO (World Trade Organisation)
An international organisation which deals with the global rules of trade between nations.
Active citizen
Someone with the knowledge, skills and understanding to participate fully in society and the ability to bring about change.
How can you be an active citizen?
Formal action = joining political parties, participating in votes, running for election
Informal action = supporting campaigns, participating in protests and demonstrations
How can citizens bring about change?
.Join a pressure group and help them to campaign for change
.join a political party and help them campaign to gain power (this could be at local level if or national level)
.stand for election either for a political party
.campaign sign a petition, go on a march, write letters
.Lobby for example meet with your local MP to persuade them to take action on a cause you are campaigning about
Direct action
Campaigning which includes nonviolent or violent activities which target people, groups or property which are often seen as offensive to the protester
Indirect action
Campaigning that can include support for a group signing petitions lobbying on behalf of a pressure group
Ways of taking action
LOBBYING: a person or group of people meeting or taking action to try and persuade a politician to take up their cause
PETITION: a formal, written request, usually signed by many people, which appeals to the authorities to bring about change in regard to a particular issue
E-PETITION: A online form of collecting signature and names in support of an action. Can collect a large number of names very quickly
CAMPAIGNING: actions or events organised by an individual or a group if people to achieve an aim
DEMONSTRATION: a public meeting or march protesting against a specific issue.
PARTICIPATION: to take part in something.
LEAFLETTING: the distribution of printed materials to raise awareness of an issue or cause
BOYCOTTING: refusing to buy a product or use a companies services as a form of protest against the companies practices
TRADE UNION ACTION: Organisations for workers. Trade unions organise actions, campaigns and lobby on behalf of workers rights and interests
FUNDRAISING: raising money to support a charity or organisation
Pressure groups:
Groups of citizens who join together to bring about change on an issue they believe is important
Insider group - a pressure group working with those in power eg British medical association (BMA)
Outside group - pressure group which has no real contact with those in power eg fathers4justice
Tactics used by pressure groups:
Petitions, lobbying, boycotts, leaflets, demonstrations eg marches
Social media, celebrity support, media promotion
Target group
The people/organisations that a pressure group is trying to influence they have the power to bring about change eg local mp
What makes a successful campaign
.Cause attracts public/media interest
. Lots of people support the cause/belong to the pressure group
.finance available to support cause
.media actively supports cause
.methods used get attention/promote the cause
.status of the group -insider or outsider group
Recent campaigns
Jamie Oliver’s ‘sugar tax’ campaign -Tv programme on impact of sugar on diet appeared on various Tv programmes to get his message out, set up online petition, lobbied the government. Government has announced plans to introduce a ‘sugar tax’ on sugary drinks in 2018
Junior doctor protest-Junior doctors are currently taking strike action because they disagree with the change in contract the government are forcing on them. Their basic pay would go up BUT extra pay received for unsociable hours is to be removed, as well as guaranteed pay increase given for the length of time in the job
