Unit 2: United Kingdom Flashcards
alternative voting referendum
method of election in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. If any single candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, that candidate is elected.
Austerity program
policies implemented to reduce government spending, increase taxes, and cut public services in order to address b udget
deficits or economic crises. Implemented by David. Cameron
Backbenchers
-MP’s of a party who have no governmental office or sit as rank-and-file oppositionmembers.
-Three opportunities to voice their concerns: weekly caucus meetings,committees, or private members bills
Tony Blair
-Promised to create a “new labour” party and rule in a “third way”, between Conservative economic policies and those of Labour’s more radical past.
-began devolution (Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland)
-Favored low taxes, tightly controlled social spending, and closer ties to Europe.
-Lead to the decline of support towards the Labour Party
1997-2007
American ally on war against terrorism aka Iraq War. This damaged the relationship between Britain & France.
British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC
Developed in the Collective Consensus era,
-Government strictly regulates. (No advertisements may be sold to politicians, parties, or political causes.)
-this was the TV and Radio Network in England.
David Cameron
Instituted austerity measures.
Conservative Party
| Prime Minister from 2010-2016.
argument that British state has become too big
Cabinet
Prime Minister & ministers
-Cabinet members are party leaders in Parliament chosen by the prime minister.
Coalition Government
When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature.
ex: Nick Clegg (liberal dem and conservatives)
Collective Consensus
Both the Labour and the Conservative parties supported the development of a modern welfare system; lasted until the late 1970s
Conservative Party (Tories)
-right wing and more towards freemarkets and the upper classes.
**It advocates a mixed economy and encourages property owning. **
Now it is split between traditional wing (noblesse oblige) and “Thatcherites” (roll back government controls and move to a full free market)
-tend to see the EU as a threat to British sovereignty. (pro-Brexit)
“Constitution of the Crown”
The “constitution” of Britain that evolved over time, composed of:
1. important documents
2. common law
3. tradition/customs
Devolution
The delegation of authority; the voluntary transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to a regional government.
The English Bill of Right
This document lists rights retained by Parliament, not by individual citizens. William and Mary signed this document in 1688, giving important policy-making power to Parliament.
Eurosceptics
People opposed to the UK’s membership in the EU and the expansion of the EU’s power
often pro-Brexit; Boris Johnson
“First-past-the-post”
FPTP Voting System
- the election process for representatives in the House of Commons;
-the winner takes all.
-Therefore, the candidate who receives the most votes is elected and there is no need for a majority.
Good Friday Agreement
A practical peace agreement reached by the major parties in Northern Ireland with the British and Irish governments.
set up a Northern Ireland Assembly and agreed to end the conflict in Northern Ireland signed in 1998 by Protestants and Catholics.
Gradualism
The belief/policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages
-this process helps explain the transition in policy making power from the King to Parliament in Great Britain.
Hereditary Peers
Members of the House of Lords appointed by the monarch and whose title automatically passes down to their sons.
House of Commons
A person who sits in the _________ is called a Member of Parliament (MP).
has 650 members (MPs) who have been elected by local residents to represent an area of the country in Parliament. - MP represents one of 650 **constituencies (areas) in the UK **and is a member of a political party.
House of Lords
- is made up of people who have inherited family titles and those who have been given titles because of their outstanding work in one field or another. There are 675 members. A person who sits in there is a peer. The main job of the House of Lords is to ‘double check’ new laws to make sure they are fair and will work. (can delay legislation)*
Hung parliament
A parliament in which no single party has majority control in the House of Commons after the elections.
-Leads to a coalition parliament.
ex. 2017 election, Conservatives & DUP
-2010, Conservatives & Lib Dem)
Irish Republican Army (IRA)
A militant organization of Irish nationalists who used terrorism and guerilla warfare in an effort to drive British forces from Northern Ireland and achieve a united, independent Ireland.
In 1949, Ireland became independent, except Northern Ireland.
“Iron Lady”
Margaret Thatcher
ex-PM of England in the 1980’s.
She executed business-like tactics like cutting taxes, enforcing a small government, and trickling down the economy
Labour Party
Created in 1906 to represent the rights of the newly-enfranchised working man, with the help of trade unions to represent the interests of the urban working class.
