Politics key terms unit one: Flashcards
What is a pressure group?
A group that tries to influence public policy in order to support the interest of a cause.
What is a think tank?
Research and publish advice in hope of influencing decision makers.
What is a lobbyist?
Individuals and firms that are paid by clients to influence government and/ or MP’s or members of the house of lords. (acting in the clients interests).
What is direct democracy?
Direct participation from citizens, a lack of distinction between the government and the people. A system of popular self government.
What’s a pluralistic democracy?
A society where power is widely disbursed allowing for ordinary people to influence decisions and policies.
What is the 2010 equalities act?
A law protecting you from discrimination based on personal characteristics such as age, gender, orientation.
What are human rights?
Basic freedoms that belong to everyone in the world.
What is a multi-party system?
Multiple parties are competing for the vote and seat with likelihood of minority government or coalitions.
What is socialism?
A political ideology that advocates social ownership of the means of production. With a positive view of human nature.
What is new labour?
An attempt at reconciling left and right wing politics. Led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
What is old labour?
Traditional Labour policies such as nationalisation, redistribution of income and wealth and an extended public sector.
What is Thatcherism?
Policies advocated by MT. Often that of privatisation and union legislation.
What is one nation conservatism?
Originating from Benjamin Disraeli as a more paternalistic form of conservatism.
What is a minor party?
A political party with little electoral strength and an unlikelihood of getting into government.
What is a two-party system?
Where two major political parties dominate because they receive the majority of votes.
What is a one party system?
A dictatorship.
What is an electoral system?
A set of rules concerning how elections and referendums are conducted.
What is representative democracy?
People elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is direct democracy?
Direct participation from citizens, a lack of distinction between the government and the people. A system of popular self government.
What is an opinion poll?
Forecasting the results of a vote through an assessment of public opinion.
What is devolution?
Decentralisation of governmental power.
What is a codified constitution?
Where key constitutional provisions are provided for within a single written document.
What is an uncodified constitution?
A constitution that isn’t contained in one single written document.
What is a backbencher?
An MP that occupies no governmental office.
What the house of lords?
Second chamber in UK parliament partly responsible for scrutiny.
What is the house of commons?
First chamber in UK parliament responsible for making laws and scrutinising them.
What is parliament?
The monarch, the house of lords and the house of commons.
What is the executive?
The government- those who make key decisions.
What is ministerial responsibility?
Ministers are accountable to parliament for the actions of government. Includes both collective and individual responsibility.
What is the supreme court?
Final court of appeal for UK civil and criminal cases.
What is conservatism?
Traditionalists who seek to preserve and privatise.
What is liberalism?
The protection of freedom within politics.
What is the media?
The mass means of communication.
