Political Regime Flashcards
UK
What are the three levels of elections that British citizens participate in today?
The National elections, Supranational elections (the EU Parliament) and Local/Regional elections
Which of the three levels of elections is most important and why?
National elections are the most important since they determine the members of Parliament, who in turn chose the prime minister and cabinet
What powers does the prime minister hold?
hint: in National elections
He can call for elections whenever he chooses (but only within the last five years of the last election).
When does the PM get voted?
hint: in National elections
The elections to vote for PM must be held every 5 years but the SNAP elections may happen whenever the current PM wishes (in between the 5yr general elections)
Why are SNAP elections used by british PM?
hint: in National elections
They would use them when they believed they could build a larger majority to buy their party 5 more years in power (as majority)
Which two parties dominate Britains single-member district national elections?
hint: in National elections
Currently the two most dominant parties are the Conservatives and the Labour Party
What is the Fixed Term Parliament Act of 2011?
hint: in National elections
It sets a fixed term of five years for every parliament (since 2015).
EXCEPT- in cases of a vote of no confidence and when two thirds of the Parliament consents to early elections.
What are the 2 exceptions when the Fixed Term Parliament Act of 2011 doesnt apply?
hint: in National elections
In cases of a vote of no confidence and when two thirds of the Parliament consents to early elections.
What is a constituency and how many does the UK have?
A geographic area represented by a member in the Government.
The UK has 650 constituencies.
What is the single-member-district system (SMD)?
hint: in National elections
When each of the 650 constituencies of the UK elect one single MP (Majority Party) to represent them in Parliament.
Difference between Plurality and majority?
Plurality=candidate who wins the most votes, not necessarily a majority, largest minority
Majority= candidate with more than 50% votes
What is the First-past-the-post (FPTP) System?
hint: in National elections
-First person to get the most votes.
Def: An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins representation of a geographic district in the Gov (losing candidates and parties do not receive ANY representation)
things to consider:
-winning candidates dont always get/have majority vote
-parties capable of winning the most votes=rewarded -> usually Conservatives and Labour parties
What happens during elections when a party wins majority of the seats in parliament?
hint: in National elections
The Party will select its leader as the new PM and form a Gov
What happens if no party wins a full majority of 326 seats?
hint: in National elections
Parties may join together and build a coalition government to construct a majority and form a Gov
About The House of Commons
- Lower House
- Debate issues
- Form and be apart of legislative committees
- Vote on Legislation
- Initiate Legisation and a Legislative vote
- More powerful than upper house
- 650 members
About the House of Lords
- Upper House
- Deny voting on Legislation for up to a year
-Unelected chamber
-Life peers
-Hereditary peers (Bishops) - No veto power
-Less power than lower house
Cabinet: Who, what, when, where, why?
- Advisors to the Prime Minister
- Origionally advisors to the king of england
-Collective Reponsibility
-Chosen by P.M
-From Majority Party
Judiciary: Who, What, When, Where, Why
-Minor Role
- Judicial Review
-Politically Weak
-Made up of Law Lords
-Lord Chancellor=Chief Justice
- Based on Common Law
- Origionally responible for the House of Lords
Is the UK federal or unitary?
unitary
What is a two-party system and which are they?
- the government alwys being operated by one of the two major parties
- used to be Liberals VS Conservatives but NOW Labour VS Conservatives
What are the right-leaning and left-leaning major parties in the UK
- right-leaning= The conservatives (“Tories)
- left-leaning= Labour
What is Thatcherism?
Thatcherism is the belief in free markets, low taxes, less government control, and personal responsibility
- named after Bargaret Thatcher’s political and economic policies
