Unit 1- Advanced Democracies Flashcards
Post-industrialism
majority of people emplyed in the service sector
Rational-legal authority
a system of well-established laws and procedures
Magna Carta
1215 CE document signed by King John in which he agreed to consult nobles before he made important political decisions. Forms basis of limited government in Britain
The Bill of Rights
enumerates right retained by Parliament. signed by William and Marry
Common law
based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal codes
Thatcherism
conservative, capitalist backlash against the welfare state led by Margaret Thatcher
Insularity
feeling of being seperate from the continent of Europe
Noblesse oblige
the duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes
MModernism
a set of values that comes along with industrialization. Includes secularism, rationalism, materialism, etc.
Great Reform Act of 1832
300k more men gained right to vote and House of Commons gained power in relation to House of Lords
Reform Act of 1867
electorate reached 3 million as many working people were enfranchised
Representation of the People Act of 1884
electorate was further expended so that the majority of voters were working class
Representation of the People Act of 1918
Women’s suffrage
Effect of gradual inclusion of working classes in political process on Marxism in Britain?
Marxism did not take root in Britain as it did in many other European countries where the middle and lower classes had less political rights.
Labour Party
created in 1906 to represent the rights of newly-enfranchised working men
Conservative Party
drew most of its members from middle-class merchants and businessmen.
Trade Union Council
a coalition of trade unions that has been a major force in British politics
Beveridge Report
provided for a social insurance program that made all citizens eligible for health, unemployment, pensions, and other benefits
Neoliberalism
the revival of classical liberal values that support low levels of government regulation, taxation, and social expenditures and the protection of individual property rights
Third Way
proposed by Tony Blair. “New” Labour as centrist alternative to the left-wing “Old” Labour and the right-wing Conservatives
Muslims in Britain
Problems for Britain:
- Existence of distinct minority/majority cleavages
- British Muslims are poorer than non-Muslims and American Muslims
- British involvement in the Iraq War
- Lack of integration of minorities
Traditional British Civic (Political) Culture
trust, deference to authority and competence, pragmatism, and harmony
Modern Changes to British Political Beliefs
Decreasing support for labor unions
Increased violence regarding Northern Ireland
Thatcherism (growing acceptance of individualism over egalitarianism and noblesse oblige)
Third Way
Protests over Iraq War from within Government
Social Class and Political Parties
Labour performs well among the working class. Conservatives perform well among middle class. Lib Dems span all classes. The tie between social class and political affiliation is less rigid than it once was.
Regional factors and Voting Behavior
Labour does well in urban and industrial areas and in Scotland and Wales.
Conservatives win mostly in England and especially in rural and suburban areas.
Parliamentary
the prime minister and cabinet ministers are members of the legislature in Britain
Caucuses
meetings of people from the same area or of like mind
Origins of Whig and Tory
Tories supported Charles II, while Whigs opposed him.
Whigs became the the Liberal Party and the Tories became the Conservative Party.
Hung Parliament
parliament in which no party gains a majority and a coalition government is formed
Clause 4
part of Labour Party constitution that called for the nationalization of the “commanding heights” of British industry. Removed in the 90’s
Wings of Conservative Party
Traditional wing (one-nation Tories)
Thatcherite wing
One-Nation Tories
values noblesse oblige and wants the country ruled by elite that take everbody’s interests into account before making decisions. generally support British membership in EU
Thatcherite Wing
want to roll back government controls and move to a full free market. euroskeptics
Quagos
Quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations. Policy advisory boards appoint by the government. Heavily influential interest groups.
Vote of No Confidence
vote on a key issue that, if lost, results in a dissolution of the government and new elections
Parliamentary sovereignty
ideal that parliaments decisions are final
Big Society
Cameron’s vision for a British future that emphasizes greater roles for private companies, charities, and cooperatives.
Organizations under the UN
World Bank, International Court of Justice, UNESCO
Examples of Regional Organizations
EU, NATO, Arab League, Organization of American States, Organization for African Unity
Evolution of European Union
European Economic Community (focused on trade issues - tariffs)
European Community added focus to atomic energy and nuclear policy
European Union
Major EU bodies
The Commission
The Council of Ministers
European Court of Justice
European Parliament
Commission
28 member body (1 from each country). Main responsibility is to initiate and implement new programs, and executes EU law.
Council of Ministers
consists of foreign ministers, finance ministers, the president of France, and all member prime ministers. It is the Council of Ministers that passes legislation (proportional voting priveleges)
European Parliament
directly elected by people; smaller member-states have dispraportionately greater representation; growing power in EU government
European COurt of Justice
Supreme Court of the EU; has power of judicial review; settles disputes among member-states
Focuses of EU Policy
Creating and maintaining a single internal, free market
Union of monetary policy (common currency)
Common agricultural policy through farm subsidies
Common defense
Lisbon Treaty provisions
Strengthens EU Parliament
Grater involvement of national parliaments
Withdrawal from EU
Permanent President of EU
Charter of Fundamental Rights
Democratic deficit
the loss of direct control of political decisions by the people
