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Citizenship > Theme B > Flashcards

Theme B Flashcards

1
Q

Give strengths of the Regional List system

A
  • Fairer to minority parties and independent candidates
  • A wider range of views can be represented in parliament
  • Every vote counts, fewer wasted votes, tactical voting is less likely
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2
Q

Give weaknesses of the Regional List system

A
  • Votes are for a party not for a candidate
  • Minority parties elected may have extremist views
  • A wider range of choice may deter some from voting
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3
Q

What are the 2 key points about the RLS of electing MEPs

A

1) European elections take place every 5 years, the UK elects 73 MEPs in total. There are 12 electoral regions in the UK each with between 3 and 10 MEPs. Each party in each region puts forward a list of candidates in the order that they will be selected.

2) After the votes are counted, seats are allocated from the top of the list working down. When available seats are
allocated, those selected become MEPs.

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4
Q

Give strengths of representative democracy

A
  • Every citizen can have a say in who represents them
  • If there is a high turnout, parliament is more representative of public opinion
  • Constituents can lobby their local MP through locally held surgeries
  • A local MP will be very aware of the needs of their constituents
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5
Q

Give weaknesses of representative democracy

A
  • Elections mostly take place every 5 years, which limits citizens input
  • Most MPs will vote with their party rather than represent their constituency
  • The constituents whose party didn’t win often feel unrepresented by the government
  • Many MPs may be university educated, so not always representative of constituents
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6
Q

Give strengths of the FPTP voting system

A
  • It’s a simple system to understand and doesn’t cost much to run
  • Results are calculated quickly and announced hours after voting has closed
  • It tends to produce a two - party system, resulting in a single party government
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7
Q

Give weaknesses of the FPTP voting system

A
  • Only winning votes count, so candidates may be elected on little public support
  • It encourages tactical voting if a voter’s preferred candidate is unlikely to win
  • Some constituencies are ‘safe seats’, leading to voter apathy and reduced turnout
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8
Q

What are the 3 key points about First Past The Post system

A

1) The UK is divided into 650 constituencies (electoral areas) - each elects one candidate to become a member of parliament
2) Candidates standing in each constituency are listed on a ballot paper with the party they represent. Voters put a cross next to the candidate they want to vote for
3) The candidate with the most votes is elected as MP for that constituency

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9
Q

What is the Regional List system a form of?

A

Proportional representation. European parliamentary elections are organised by the regional list system.

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10
Q

What is democracy?

A

Stems from the politics of ancient Greece and means ‘rule of the people, by the people’. In the UK, it describes a system of government where citizens elect political representatives. This includes representative democracy (via elections) & Direct democracy (via referendums)

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11
Q

Give strengths of Direct Democracy

A
  • Referendums give the government a clear directive from the citizens on a specific issue
  • Every voter can have a say on a particular, usually controversial issue
  • Gives the government a mandate for action
  • The most democratic way to make a decision
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12
Q

Give weaknesses of Direct Democracy

A
  • Often issues are more complex than just a simple yes/no vote
  • Not every citizen who votes understands the complexity of issues
  • The media can influence the electorate
  • If results are close, many may be unhappy
  • Referendums are rare in the UK
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13
Q

Give examples of recent referendums in the UK

A
  • 2016: UK to leave/remain in the EU : leave 51.9%, remain 48.1% (Turnout:72%)
  • 2014: Scottish Independence: No 55% , Yes 45% (Turnout: 84%)
  • 2011: Change the voting system from FPTP to Alternative vote - No 68% , Yes 32% (Turnout: 41%)
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14
Q

How are candidates selected?

A

A person wishing to become an MP puts themselves forward as a candidate

  • Many people join and become politically active in their chosen party
  • Parties advertise for candidates, and those who are interested and eligible, apply
  • Parties may have a list of prospective candidates who are politically active or advisors on area of policy
  • Prospective candidates try to gain (canvass for) votes through interviews, public speaking at meetings (hustings), and working for the party in their local constituency
  • Local party workers draw up a shortlist
  • Local party members vote for the candidate to represent that constituency and the candidate with the most votes is selected. If a constituency typically votes for a political party, it may be viewed as secure by that party and known as a safe seat
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15
Q

What is it called if a party doesn’t win a majority in an election?

A

It is known as a hung parliament

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16
Q

How is a majority formed and what else can it form if it wins a majority?

A

A majority is formed by winning over half the results in an election (326 or more of 650 seats)

A party can form a single-party government if it has a majority

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17
Q

Why is a majority important?

A

It is essential for the Parliament to work. As each new law proposed by the government must be voted on. If there is no majority, the opposition MPs could vote out proposed laws

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18
Q

How does a coalition government function?

A

The party with the most seats may form a coalition government with the support of another political party

Coalition government can mean it is more difficult to pass laws, as party values might need to be compromised to agree with coalition partners and vote laws through

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19
Q

Give the 3 key points about the proportional representation voting system

A
  • Seats are awarded depending on the percentage of votes each party wins
  • Parties have a list of prospective candidates
  • Candidates are allocated seats based on their popularity in the party

Smaller parties argue for a voting system that more fairly represents the electorate’s views.

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20
Q

Give strengths of Proportional representation

A
  • Fewer votes are wasted
  • Offers more choice to voters
  • Fairer to minority/ independent candidates
21
Q

Give weaknesses of Proportional representation

A
  • Produces more coalition governments
  • MPs may have no links to a constituency
  • Allows extremists in the political mainstream
22
Q

Where is the FPTP voting system used?

A

An electoral system used in UK general and local elections

23
Q

What happens following an election?

A

The process of forming a single party or coalition government begins. The monarch appoints the prime minister and reads a speech in the state opening of the parliament

24
Q

What can be formed instead of a coalition government?

A

A ‘Confidence and supply’ agreement can be made with another party to support the government on a vote-by-vote basis

25
Q

Give the 2 key roles of the Monarch in forming a new government

A

1) Appointing the government.
The monarch meets with the leader of the winning party, after the leader confirms they can form a new government, the monarch appoints them as Prime minister.

2) Reading the speech at the state opening of parliament
- The monarch reads a speech in the House of Lords to officially open the new sitting of parliament. This is written by the new government and outlines their policies and proposed legislation

3) The monarch appoints Black Rod, whose role includes responsibility for major ceremonial events, after the monarch has read the speech and left, Parliament starts debating the issues in the speech

26
Q

What is the tradition of the State opening of parliament?

A

It goes back to the 14th century.

  • It takes place in the House of Lords, which consists of about 800 unelected peers from a mixture of backgrounds
  • Black Rod summons the House of Commons which consists of 650 elected Members of Parliament to hear the speech
  • The doors of the House of Commons are first shut in Black rod’s face as a symbol of independence from the monarchy, a tradition from the civil war
  • After Black rod strikes the door three times it is opened, and the MPs follow Black rod into the House of Commons to hear the speech
27
Q

Who is Black Rod?

A

A senior officer in the House of Lords whose role includes a responsibility for major ceremonial events

28
Q

How does forming a cabinet work?

A

The prime minister has a duty to appoint around 22 trusted party members, known as the cabinet, to develop policies and lead departments

29
Q

Explain two reasons why a party would prefer to form a majority government

A
  • With a majority government it’s easier to pass laws. A government with a majority of MPs to support their policies makes it harder for the opposition to stop laws being created
  • It means that parties do not have to compromise their policies. If a party is in a coalition they may have to compromise policies and values to work with a different party that has a different ideology
30
Q

Give differences between government ministers and civil servants

A

Government Ministers

 - Elected politician 
 - Represent a political party 
 - Can be changed through election or cabinet reshuffle  
 - Responsible to Parliament 
 - Head of ministerial Department 
 - Decide policies to implement

Civil Servants

  - Appointed officials 
  - Politically neutral 
  - Permanent 
  - Responsible to ministers 
  - Work in ministerial departments 
  - Prepare and advise on policy
31
Q

What are Ministerial Departments

A

The new Pime Minister appoints cabinet ministers from the House of Commons and Lords who are each given responsibility for a government department.

The number of departments can change depending on the needs of the country at the time

32
Q

Give key departments (ministerial)

A
  • Department for Education
  • The Home Office
  • Her Majesty’s treasury
  • Ministry of Defence
33
Q

What are senor civil servants?

A
  • There are around 4,000
  • They work with government departments in a non - political role
  • Jobs are permanent & are not affected by the outcome of elections
  • undertake the preparation and presentation of new policies and are experts in their particular area
  • often advise ministers, especially those newly appointed, on policies ministers wish to present in government
34
Q

What are the senior civil service roles?

A
  • Prepare legislation
  • Find the answers to parliamentary questions
  • Brief their government minister
  • Manage the policies as they progress through the law making procedure
  • Meet with representatives of different groups
35
Q

What are the civil service roles?

A

Over 400,000 who work across the UK, they administer government funds, institutions and departments, such as:

  • Paying benefits and pensions
  • running local departments such as Jobcentre Plus
  • running her majesty’s prison service
  • Administration such as driving license applications
36
Q

What are civil servants?

A

Are accountable to relevant ministers and strive to uphold values.

37
Q

What are values that civil servants strive to uphold?

A

Integrity - Putting needs of the public above personal interest

Honesty - They are subjected to public scrutiny so they have to be open & honest

Objectivity- making decisions after evaluating all the relevant evidence

Impartiality - Serving all governments equally well

38
Q

What does Wetsminister Parliament consist of?

A

The executive, The legislature, the judiciary and the monarchy

39
Q

Why does the separation of power in Westminister exist?

A

To protect citizens. and ensure that no one government or leader has too much power

40
Q

Draw a flow diagram of the separation of powers in Westminister

A

1) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬. The prime minister and cabinet draw up and propose the majority of laws, with the help of the civil service
2) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰 Westminister is bicameral, it’s political system is a system of 2 houses that make up the legislature. The members of both houses debate, scrutinize, vote, and create special committees to amend bills before they can be passed as laws. Meaning new laws cannot be passed that would solely benefit the government in power, such as changing elections to every 25 years. The House of Lords can act as an effective opposition at times when a government majority is strong and the opposition is perceived as weak
3) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲: 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰 Interpret the laws and apply appropriate sentences for criminal behaviour in line with existing laws

4) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐲: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐚𝐰 Although no longer rules the country, the monarchy is integral to the law making process and to traditions of parliament. Roles is to:
- Remain politically neutral
- Give Royal Assent to each new law
- Appoint Black Rod
- After a general election, the monarch appoints the Prime Minister and opens each new session of parliament

41
Q

What is the work of the House of Commons and Lords

A

The work of both houses is to make laws, check the work the work of the government, hold parliamentary debates and deliberate on public issues as part of the process of making and shaping policy and legislation.

Generally, decisions made in one house have to be approved by the other house, creating a system of checks and balances.

The work of government is recorded in Hansard, a transcription of debates and speeches in both houses. This is the official record, so can be scrutinized by the general public and journalists

42
Q

What is the difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords

A
  • The HOC is the publicly elected house of parliament. Consists of 650 MPs elected to represent their constituency
  • The HOL is the unelected House of Parliament, aka the ‘second chamber’ - which is independent from the House of Commons. Consists of about 800 peers from a mix of backgrounds, for example hereditary and lifetime peers/ bishops, judges, retired MPs and people appointed due to personal experience. Can also be known as the ‘revising chamber’ for its role and expertise when scrutinising bills passed by the House of Commons
43
Q

Give the main roles of the House of Commons

A
  • Debating, examining, proposing, and passing laws
  • Working in small (select) committees scrutinising new laws and wider areas of government work, to challenge and hold government to account
  • Making decisions of financial bills, such as proposed new taxes, the house of Lords can consider these bills but cannot block or amend them
  • Prepare questions to be answered at Prime Minister’s question time
44
Q

Give the main roles of the House of Lord

A
  • Debating, examining, proposing and passing laws
  • working in small (select) committees to scrutinise and amend the new laws and bills proposed by the House of Commons, and using their expertise to identify any errors.
  • Providing expertise in specific areas
45
Q

What is the Prime Minister?

A

An MP who is appointed by the monarch to lead the government

46
Q

Give the roles of the Prime Minister

A
  • Leadership of the country
  • Leadership of the party
  • Setting policy in line with their manifesto
  • Management and leadership of cabinet ministers
  • Overseeing government and the civil service
  • First Lord of the Treasury
  • Answering ministers questions during PM’s question time
47
Q

Who are cabinet ministers?

A

They are selected by the prime minister (22). They develop policies and lead departments

48
Q

What are the 4 key roles of cabinet ministers?

A

1) Making decisions about international issues
2) Directing government policy
3) Running governmental departmental run by senior civil servants
4) Proposing new laws

Citizenship (5 decks)

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