Topic 1 - Citizen Flashcards
Citizen
Someone with the legal right to live in a particular country
To qualify as a citizen, people must meet conditions set by that country’s government
Part of a person’s identity
Rights
The things that a person is entitled to
Political e.g. right to vote for the politicians to make decisions representing us
Legal e.g. right to be defended by a lawyer if accused of a crime
Economic e.g. right to free education for children, healthcare, minimum wage, loans
Responsibilities
The things that a person is expected to do, a duty
Political e.g. play an active role in having your say in politics
Legal e.g. to abide by the law, to report crimes
Economic e.g. pay taxes
UK Government
UK is a democracy - a system of government in which the people rule through the power to vote for their representatives
First-past-the-post - voting system used in UK general elections. The candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected to Parliament (to represent our interests when issues are being debated and decisions being made in Parliament)
The party with the most Members of Parliament then forms a government
Due to the way this system works, the party that ends up forming a government does not necessarily receive a majority of the votes cast
Active citizen participation
Can ask your MP to put forward a specific point of view to Parliament at any time
Can have a direct say about new laws being made at the proposal and committee stages.
Can elect MPs for central government during a general election
Can elect councillors to represent your interests on regional councils who make decisions about local matters
