Life in Modern Britain Flashcards
British Values
The values that are associated with living in modern-day Britain.
Citizenship
A legal status conferred by a state union members of the state, indicating their membership of the state.
Democracy
A political system based upon the concept of people having the power to decide. The word comes from the ancient Greek for people and power.
Equality Act 2010
Brought together 116 pieces of legislation to provide Britain with a new discrimination law to protect individuals
Individual Liberty
The concept that in a modern democracy people have the freedom to make their own choices and decisions.
Multicultural Society
A society that comprises people for a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.
Principles
A basic truth or idea that underpins a system of beliefs associated with a given society.
The Rule of Law
A basic principle of democratic society that the law applies equally to all people.
Tolerance
A concept based upon the idea that in a modern society people show understanding of others with differing views and opinions.
Values
Standards of behaviour that are accepted by a society.
Census
A government survey normally undertaken every ten years to gather information about life in the UK. Every household is expected to complete their census form.
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
A government body that collects and provides background data.
Group Identity
The identity associated with belonging to a group.
Global Identity
The concept that some aspects of identity are now global in nature.
Identity
The characteristics that determine who or what a person is.
Multiple Identity
That a person can assume different identities at different time and in different situations.
National Identitiy
An identity associated with being a citizen of a specific country.
Nature vs. Nurture
A debate about whether a person’s personality and identity are most affected by their biological background or by the way in which they are brought up.
E-media
All forms of media related to the internet; e stands for electronic.
Mass Media
The means of communicating to a large number of people at the same time: e.g. television, newspapers, the internet.
Member of Parliament (MP)
A citizen elected to Parliament who serves as a Member of Parliament, normally as a member of a political party.
New Media
All non-traditional forms of media.
Ofcom
The Office of Communications: a government regulator for elements of the media industry.
Social Media
The ways in which people interact with each other on the internet: for example, Twitter and Facebook.
Traditional Media
Newsprint, radio, television, cinema.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Was set up to handle complaints and conduct investigations into standards and compliance.
Agencies
Organisations and bodies that are a part of a major institution: for example, the UN or EU.
Closed Regional List System
A proportional voting system used in the UK for European Parliamentary elections.
Commonwealth Charter
A document that lays down the principles associated with Commonwealth membership.
Council of Europe
Was founded in 1949 and is an intergovernmental organisation whose aims are to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law within its 47 member states. This body established the European Convention on Human Rights.
Council of the European Union
Meetings of ministers from members states of the EU.
Euro
The common currency used by the Eurozone (eighteen members of the EU).
European Commission
Appointed officials from member countries of the EU who draft policy initiatives and direct the workings of the EU.
European Convention on Human Rights
A convention that lays down basic human rights. It is based upon the UNDHR, and is overseen by the Council of Europe.
European Council
Meetings of the heads of government of EU member states.
European Convention of Human Rights
Court of the Council of Europe that sits in Strasbourg and rules on the European Convention on Human Rights. It must not be confused with the European Court of Justice, which is the court of the European Union.
European Union
The directly elected Parliament of the European Union.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The value of all the goods and services created in a country, normally measured on an annual basis.
Hard Power
The ability to use military or economic power to achieve one’s aims.
Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
An elected citizen to the Parliament of the European Union, normally representing a political party.
Security Council
The major decision-making body of the United Nations. Made up of five permanent numbers and ten elected member countries. The UK is one of the permanent members.
Single Transferable Vote
A proportional voting system used in parts of the UK.
Soft Power
The ability to influence others through the influence of your culture, political and foreign policy values.
United Nations Charter
A document that lays down the aims of the United Nations.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
An international law setting out a set of universal human rights under the auspices of the United Nations.
Veto
The ability to be able to vote down any decision.
Volunteering
Giving your time without pay to help others.
Referendum
A vote on a single issue, where governments or other bodies wish to seek the views of electors on an issue: for example, the 2016 referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.
Boycott
Refusing to buy goods or use a service to achieve a desired political outcome. The original term related to Captain Boycott, and Irish landowner whose tenants refused to pay their rent.
Competence
Relates to areas of policy delegated by countries to the EU.
Federalist
A person or view that supports greater EU integration leading to a United States of Europe.
Humanitarian Aid
Non-military aid given to countries and people in need: for example, food, shelter and medical help.
Meditation
A process of involving outsiders in a dialogue to try to resolve a dispute between two parties.
Sanctions
Measures taken by a state against others to achieve a change in policy or action.
Sovereignty
The power and authority that a country has to make decisions about itself and its relations with others.
GNI
Gross National Income is GDP minus income earned by non-residents plus income received from non-residents≥
NGO
Non-governmental organisations can be national or international. Many of them are charities that provide services to those in need, similar to those provided by government. Many work with government agencies and can receive funds from government.
Councillors
Citizens who are elected to serve on local councils.
Voter Turnout
The number of voters who actually vote, against the total number who could vote, normally expressed as a percentage.
Police and Crime Commissioners
Directly elected officials who are responsible for the running of each regional police force outside London.
Pressure Groups
Organised bodies of citizens who share a common interest in an issue and through a variety of actions promote their cause.
Trade Unions
An employment-based group of employees who seek to represent workers in regard to the conditions of employment: for example, wages. An example would be the RMT (The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) who represent those working on London Underground.
