Summer Work - UK Politics Definitions

Question 1

Power

Answer 1

The ability that an individual or a group of people have to influence or control the course of events

Question 2

Authority

Answer 2

The right to exercise one’s power and the acceptance of this exertion of power by others

Question 3

Legitimacy

Answer 3

The recognised and accepted right for someone to govern and make decisions - it ensures that there’s political stability

Question 4

Government

Answer 4

The political party that governs over a state, they’re responsible for making and enforcing laws and ensuring security - exercising their political authority

Question 5

Politics

Answer 5

The study of how power is distributed and decisions are made to govern a nation or state

Question 6

Civil society

Answer 6

The collective of non governmental individuals or groups (normal people) that represent a wide range of values in society, advocate for change and enhance democracy

Question 7

Executive branch

Answer 7

The part of the government responsible for enforcing laws and managing the day to day operations of the country or state, it contains the pm and cabinet

Question 8

Prime minister

Answer 8

The head of government responsible for overseeing the government and the implementation of its policies, they lead the cabinet and represent the country

Question 9

Cabinet

Answer 9

The group of ministers chosen by the pm to lead various departments within the government - they’re central to the executive branch and play a key role in decision making

Question 10

Legislative branch

Answer 10

Refers to parliament - it has the authority to create, amend and repeal laws as well has holding the executive branch accountable during debates

Question 11

Parliament

Answer 11

The supreme legislative body in the UK, responsible for passing and making laws and representing the interests of the people - its made up of the king, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and in that, many political parties

Question 12

House of Commons

Answer 12

The elected members of parliament who represent constituencies across the UK - they debate regularly, help create laws and hold those in power accountable - it includes the government, the shadow cabinet and other mps

Question 13

House of Lords

Answer 13

The Lords who are appointed by the monarch - it’s powers have been limited since 1911 due to the parliamentary act but still play a large role in amending laws, proposing amendments and and debate bills introduced by the House of Commons

Question 14

Judicial branch

Answer 14

The system of courts and judges that interpret and apply laws - it ensures that the rule of law is upheld and protect individual rights, it’s essential for a just society

Question 15

Supreme Court

Answer 15

The highest court in the UK that is responsible for hearing appeals from lower courts and interpreting legislation - their actions can have a large consequence on the development of laws in a country

Question 16

Rule of Law

Answer 16

The principle that states that everyone is subject to the law and that power is held accountable to it - no one is above the law including government officials

Question 17

Westminster Model

Answer 17

The structure of the parliament since the 16th century in the UK that will always evolve to adapt to societal changes - it includes how parliament works, the responsibilities of the government and how our democracy works

Question 18

Elective dictatorship

Answer 18

The concept that the pm and their government has control over anything to do with politics with a limited amount of checks or opposition

Question 19

Direct democracy

Answer 19

A system where citizens have a direct say in decision making, made through votes or referendums - increasing citizen representation and seeing what they want more of

Question 20

Representative democracy

Answer 20

A system where citizens elect representatives (mps) in each constituency to make decisions on their behalf that reflect their interests and represent them

Question 21

Sovereignty

Answer 21

The supreme/ultimate authority and power of the government to rule over its citizens - they have ultimate power to make laws, declare war and make treaties

Question 22

Parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 22

The concept that the UK parliament is the supreme law making body in the country - ultimate power to make, amend and repeal laws that no one can override

Question 23

Referendum

Answer 23

An example of direct democracy where the public vote on a specific question or issue to have a direct say - the result is then implemented in a law or policy

Question 24

Constitutional monarchy

Answer 24

A system of government where the head of state is a monarch not a president - the monarchs powers are limited and they don’t have a day to day involvement in governing the UK

Question 25

Fusion of powers

Answer 25

The concept that the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government have become interconnected together - leading to potential abuses of power and erosion of tradition

Question 26

Seperation of powers

Answer 26

The idea that the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government should be more independent and separate from each other and should have their own responsibilities

Question 27

Devolution

Answer 27

The process of transferring power and authority from the central government in England to the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - helps will representation in government

Question 28

Labour Party

Answer 28

A social democratic, centre-left to left political party in the UK, that is one of the two main parties in the UK - it is currently in power

Question 29

Conservative Party

Answer 29

A conservative, capitalist, centre-right to right political party in the UK, that is one of the two main parties in the UK - it is currently the opposition

Question 30

Liberal Democrats

Answer 30

A liberal, centrist to centre-left political party in the UK - formed when the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party merged - its currently in the opposition

Question 31

Brexit Party

Answer 31

A populist, right wing political party in the UK, formed in 2019 - it has now been changed to Reform UK