Theme B Flashcards
What does canvassing mean
When people try to persuade others to vote for their party in an election
What does hustings mean
A meeting in which candidates in an election speak to the voters.
What is direct democracy
A form of democracy in which everyone votes on every decision in a referendum
What is representative democracy
A form of democracy in which people elect a representative to make decisions for them.
What is a constituency
An area represented by an MP
What is first past the post
An electoral system where voters have one vote in their constituency and the candidate with the most votes wins a seat
How old do you have to be to vote
18
What is a political manifesto
contains the set of policies that the party stands for and would wish to implement if elected to govern.
What are positives of representative democracy
- every citizen can have a say
- If their is a high turnout it’s more representative
- no wasted votes
What are weakness of representative democracy
- Could cause coalition govs
- Extrimest groups can easily partake
What are the strengths of direct democracy
- Most democratic way to make a decision
- Referendums give a democracy a clear directive
What are weaknesses of direct democracy
- Often issues are more complex than a yes/no vote
- If results are close many people may be unhappy
How does FPTP operate
The candidates with the most votes within a constituency is elected as MP (a party must win in 326 constituencies or more to form majority)
Who can vote in a general election
- People 18+
- Members of parliament
- Candidates standing for election
Who cannot vote in an election
- Members of the house of Lords
- Economic migrants from the EU
- Convicted prisoners
*Persons found guilty of election corruption (barred for 5 years)
Arguments FOR changing the franchise
- Should be able to have say in their future as a government is elected for 5 years
- Legally allowed to choose their medical treatment as well as other major choices
- Are more progressive than previous generations
Arguments AGAINST extending the franchise
- 16 year olds are not well informed
- Might be influenced by friends or parents
- Legal recognised age to be an adult is 18
How often do general elections occur
Every 5 years
Strengths of using FPTP
- A simple system to understand
- Results are calculated quickly
- Creates good constituency-MP relationships
Weaknesses of FPTP
- Only winning votes within a constituency count everything else becomes wasted votes
- Some constituencies are ‘safe seats’ reducing voter turnout
- Tends to produce a two party system
Strengths of proportional representation
- Offers more choice to votes
- Fairer to minority candidates as no vote is wasted
Weaknesses of proportional representation
- Produces more coalition governments
- Allows extremists in the political mainstream
What is the process of forming a coalition government and it’s weakness
Party with the most seats may form coalition with the support of another party
* makes it more difficult to pass laws
What is the role of the
monarch
- Appointing the government
- Reading the speech at the state opening of parliament
What is the cabinet
A group of MPs who head major government departments. It meets weekly to make decisions about how government policy will be carried.
What’s a coalition government
A government made of more than one party.
What are ministerial departments
departments in their own right, established to deliver a specific function
What are the key administrated departments
- Department for education
- The home office
- Her majesty’s treasure
- Ministry of defence
What are the roles of a senior civil service
- prepare legislation
- brief their government minister
- meet with representatives of different groups
What are the two duties of a senior civil servant
- Undertake the preparation and presentation of new policies
- advise ministers on policies minsters want to present in government
What is the role of civil servants
provides services directly to people all over the country