Theme B Flashcards
What is the definition of canvassing?
When the candidates try to persuade others to vote for their party in an election
What is the definition of a constituency?
The area represented by an MP
What is the definition of Direct Democracy?
A form of democracy in which everyone votes on every decision using referendums
What is the definition of Hustings?
A meeting at which candidates in an election speak to the voters
What is the definition of a Referendum?
A vote by the whole electorate on a particular issue
What is the definition of a Representative Democracy?
A form of democracy in which people elect a representative to make decisions for them
What is First Past the Post?
An electoral system where the voter chooses one party and the party with the most votes wins the election
What countries use First Past the Post?
The UK, US, Canada, India and many Caribbean and African states
What are the advantages of First Past the Post?
- Extremely easy to understand making it accessible for everyone
- It is a quick and efficient way with votes normally being announced on the same day
- Voters can clearly express their views on who they think should win
- It stops smaller more extremist parties (right wing) from getting seats
What are the disadvantages of First Past the Post?
- Votes for anyone except the winning party are wasted
- It’s a more complicated system
- Can encourage tactical voting
What is the definition of a closed-list system?
A form of Proportional Representation in which a party puts forward a list of candidates in the order they will be elected
What is the definition of an MEP?
A Member of the European Parliament
What is Proportional Representation?
An electoral system in which the number of seats a party wins is proportional to the share of votes it received in an election
What countries use Proportional representation?
Cyprus, Greece, Spain, South Africa and Brazil
What are the advantages of Proportional Representation?
- Increases the diversity of parliament
- Every party that got a share of the votes gets represented in parliament
- People are less likely to feel like their votes have been wasted
What are the disadvantages for Proportional Representation?
- It can allow extremest parties to get seats in parliament
- Coalition governments are more likely
- It’s a more complicated system
What is the definition of back benchers?
MP’s who do not hold office in the government; they sit in the back bench’s in the House of Commons
What is the definition of a cabinet?
A group of MPs who head major government departments. It meets weekly to make decisions about how government policy will be carried out. Senior Ministers from the Lords are also represented
What is the definition of a coalition?
A government made of more than one party. It is formed when one or more party does not have enough votes to win an election
What is the definition of a general election?
An election held for a new government, in the UK, held at least every five years
What is the House of Commons?
The more powerful of the two parts of British Parliament (House of Commons and House of Lords), it’s members are elected by the public
What is the definition of front benchers?
MPs who hold office in the government. They sit on the front benches in the House of Commons
What is the definition of opposition?
Political parties that are not in power
What is the Prime Minister?
The leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and the leader of the government, currently Kier Starmer
