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
What is the Shadow Cabinet?
MP’s from the main opposition party who ‘shadow’ MP’s who head major government departments
What is the definition of a speaker?
The MP selected as chairman for debates in the House of Commons
What is the definition of bi-cameral?
The UK parliament is bi-cameral because is has two houses, Commons and Lords
What is the definition of a Black Rod?
The person who has ceremonial duties in the Palace of Westminster, including bringing MPs to the House of Lords or the State opening of Parliament
What is the definition of an executive?
Someone who makes policy and puts it into practice, it is made up of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Civil Service
What is the definition of the judiciary?
Makes judgements about the law, it is made up of the judges and magistrates in the courts
What is the definition of the legislature?
Makes laws, it is made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords
What is the definition of the Minister of State?
An assistant to the Secretary of State
What is the definition of a Secretary of State?
An MP who is in charge of a government department such as health care or defence
What is the definition of accountable?
If you are accountable for something you are responsible for it and have to explain your actions
What is the definition of an Act of Parliament?
A law passed by Parliament?
What is the definition of a bill?
A proposal to change something into law
What is a Green Paper?
This puts forward ideas that the government wants discussed before it starts to develop a policy
What is a White Paper?
This puts government policy up for discussion before it becomes a law
What is the definition of an Assembly?
A body of people elected to decide on some areas of spending in a region
What is the definition of a devolution?
The transfer of powers from the central government to the regional government
What is the British Constitution?
The laws and conventions which set down how the UK is governed
What is a judicial review?
A review carried out by the High Court to decide whether a decision made by the public body has been made properly
What is a Parliamentary inquiry?
An enquiry set up to investigate actions taken by the government departments and public bodies
What is Parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliament is the top legal body and can pass new laws or stop old laws
What is a select committee?
One of the committees that check and report on the work of the government
What is a 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 the Exchequer?
The member of the government who is responsible for the country’s finances
What is Government revenue?
The money raised by the government
Who can vote in the UK elections?
You must be 18 and registered (being on the electoral register) to vote in the UK. You can also vote if you are:
1. 18 years of age or more on polling day
2. A British citizen
3. A citizen of most Commonwealth countries or the Republic of Ireland
Who can’t vote in the UK elections?
- If you are a member of the House of Lords
- If you are an EU citizen resident in the UK
- If you are a convicted prisoner
- If you have been found guilty of corrupt practices in an election in the past five years
What are the main political parties that run in the UK?
- The Labour Party (current government)
- The Conservative Party
- The Liberal Democrats
- The Green Party
- Reform UK
What is one policy of the Labour Party?
What is one policy of the Conservative Party?
What is one policy of the Liberal Democrat Party?
The Liberal Democrats aim to achieve a truly fair democracy.
Revision books:
Citizenship Today
Pearson Edexcel Revision Guide
