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
What is the executive
Makes the policies and puts it into practice. It is made up of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Civil Service
What is the judiciary
Make judgements about the law. It is made up of judges and magistrates in courts
What is the legislature
Makes laws and made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
What does bi-cameral mean
A political system of two houses (Commons and Lords)
What is the black rod
The person who has ceremonial duties in the Palace of Westminster including bringing MPs to the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament.
What is royal assent
When the King formally agrees to make the bill into an Act of Parliament (law)
What is the role of the House of commons
- Debating and passing laws
- Making decisions on financial bills
- Preparing questions to be answered at PMQ’s (prime minister questioning)
What is the role of the house of Lords
- Debating and passing laws
- scrutinise and amend new laws
- provide expertise in specific areas
roles of PM
- Leadership of the country
- Setting policy in line with their manifesto
- Leadership of the party
Roles of the cabinet
- Proposing new laws
- Making decisions of national issues
What is the opposition
The second biggest party in house of commons
What is the role of the opposition
Holds cabinet minsters to account through scrutiny
What is the role of the speaker
The MP who elected to act as chairman to keep order in debates within the House of Commons.
What are the whips
responsible for other MPs attending Parliament and voting along party lines
What are front bench MP’s
Those with minister positions who are spokespeople for the party
What are back benchers
MP who does not hold a cabinet position is called a Backbencher
What is a bill
A proposal to change something into law.
What is green paper
puts forward ideas that the government wants discussed before it starts to develop a policy
What is white paper
Puts the government policy up for discussion before it becomes law.
What is parliamentary ping pong
When the bill goes back and forth between houses until an agreement is established
What is the order of making a law
- Green paper
2.. White paper - First reading
- Second reading
- Committee stage
- Report stage
- Third reading
- Royal assent
What is parliamentary sovereignty
Parliament is the legal authority that can make and amend laws
What is the British constitution made up of
- Laws and legislation
- Conventions over time
- Common law developed by judges
What does uncodified constitution
a system of government that does not have a single written document that outlines the fundamental principles and laws of the land
What is a codified constitutions
A single document that outlines the way the gov is run
Examples of how the uncodifying constitution is changing
- Devolution
- EU membership’
What is devolution
The transfer of power from central to regional government
Why is judiciary review important
enables people to ensure their legal protected human rights are upheld
What does Scotland’s devolved plans include
- environment focus
- agriculture
- education
What was Wales devolution include
Promotion of Welsh Language
Arguments for Scottish independence
- Decisions about Scotland should be make by Scottish citizens
- Would not have to fight British wars
- Scottish taxation and spending would make a more successful country
Arguments against Scottish independence
- UK is an influential member of the UN and NATO devolving would lose that influence
- Would have to create a currency union to continue using the pound
What is direct taxing
Taxes paid by a person or organisation
What is income tax
Tax on wages when you earn a certain amount
What is inheritance tax
Tax on money left to you when someone has diedC
orporation tax
A percentage tax based on profits a buiness make
National Insurance contributions
A for of taxation based on income
Council tax
Tax paid annually based on the value of property you live in
What is indirect tax
Taxes paid on goods and services
What is VAT
Tax on most goods and services
Excise duties
Tax on items like tobacco or alchol
What is government revenue
The money raised by the government.
What is central government vs local government
Central: PM and cabinet
Local: The council
what is the HMRC responsible for
- collection of taxation
- payment of types of state support
- administration of minimum wage
What is the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Raising revenue
- Controlling how gov revenue is spent
- Leading the Treasury
What is the budget
The process each year when the Chancellor of The Exchequer explains how the government will raise and spend its money.
What is the Chancellor of Exchequer
The member of the government who is responsible for the country’s finances.
