Unit 3, Part B: Legislative & Judiciary Flashcards
Single-Member Districts
Person being voted for represents specific group of ppl or region
What are the advantages of “Single-Member Districts”?
- runs w/in a district (non-nationwide)
- vote for a person
- winner takes all
Proportional Representation
of ppl in seats are based on # of votes in election (in Legislation)
What are the advantages of a “Proportional Representation”?
- vote for a party
- give minor parties more of a chance
- leads to a multi-party system
Does England have a strong Legislation?
Yes
How is English Legislation setup?
Bicameral
What groups are in the English Bicameral Legislation?
1) House of Commons
2) House of Lords
1213 (England)
Magna Carta
What did the Magna Carta do?
Established Legislature
What powers did the nobles get from the Magna Carta?
1) Monarch must get consent from the nobles to change tax
2) ability to give advice to monarch
What did Henry III want to do to the Magna Carta?
Annul it
What did the nobles do as a result of Henry III wanting to annul the Magna Carta?
They fought against and captured Henry III
What was the leader of noble’s stand point after they captured Henry III? (England)
He pushed too far, the members were comfortable
What did the noble leader do as a result of pushing too far? (England)
He showed the will of the ppl by inviting knights and the ppl to Parliament
How is Parliamentary power divided when carrying out the powers listed in the Magna Carta? (England)
- Tax increase: knights, ppl, nobles
- Advice: Nobles
14th century (England)
England needed $
- lords agreed, ppl didn’t –> gave ppl more power
Mid-14th century (England)
Ppl started to separate from lords
- created HOC and HOL
How did the HOC take more power from the HOL?
Reform 1, 2, and 3
Does England have a formal Constitution?
No
What does England have instead of a formal Constitution?
- Magna Carta
- English BOR, etc….
How many members does the HOC have? (England)
650
How many members does the HOL have?
788
What power did the HOL have that was stripped? (England)
Law Lords, stripped in 2005
How is the HOL divided?
1) The Lords Spiritual
2) The Lords Temporal (Secular)
The Lords Spiritual (England)
26 senior bishops in the COE
How is “The Lords Temporal (Secular)” divided? (England)
1) Hereditary peers
2) Life peers
How long have life peers existed? (England)
Since 1999
How many hereditary peers are there? (England)
90
How many life peers are there? (England)
650
What are the powers of the HOC? (England)
- appoints PM
- Constitute Cabinet
- Initiate legislation
- 51% vote to pass law
- Can accept/decline amendments
- Veto power
What are the powers of the HOL? (England)
- Can only delay legislation for 1 year
- Can disagree with legislation
- Can make amendments
In Northern Ireland what party is the most popular? (England)
Cinfon
1921 (England)
Northern Ireland granted independence
What did England do as a result of 1921?
English northerners moved land estates to Northern Ireland
- hard to respect rights of Protestants –> excluded Northern Ireland
2nd half of 20th century (England)
Ireland wanted independence
What were the 2 Irish parties? (England)
1) Irish Republican Party
2) Cinfon
Differentiate the 2 Irish parties (England)
1) IRP- terrorist, military
2) Cinfon- political
Plaid Cymru (England)
Similar to SNP
- more independence and power for Wales
How many seats does Plaid Cymru have? (England)
Not many seats
How is Russia’s legislation setup?
Bicameral
1) Duma
2) ?????
Early 20th century (Russia)
Duma was created
1905 (Russia)
Revolution
When did the Duma start to fade? (Russia)
Soviet Era
Who was in charge after the end of the Soviet Era? (Russia)
Russia Republic
How many members are in the Duma? (Russia)
450
What are the 2 methods used to chose the Duma? (Russia)
1) 1st Past the Post Voting
2) Proportional Representation
1st Past the Post Voting (Russia)
How many votes doesn’t matter, you need plurality not majority
Proportional Representation (Russia)
Must obtain at least 5% of vote
Hare quota system (Russia)
To determine # of seats in Duma
What system was used to determine the Duma 2007-2011? (Russia)
All Proportional Representation
What system was used to determine the Duma 1993-2003? (Russia)
All Proportional Representation
How old do you need to be to run for Duma? (Russia)
At least 21
What are the duties of the Duma? (Russia)
- pass bills
- debate budgets
- confirm Presidential appointments
- bring charges against Russian President
- issue decrees
- starts legislation
In order for the Duma to start legislation what needs to happen before this? (Russia)
Approved by Federation Council
2011 (Russia)
Duma lost 77 seats
2007 (Russia)
Duma gained 92 seats
2003 (Russia)
United Russia had majority of seats
What were the UR’s goal? (Russia)
“Make Russia Great Again”
How were the UR gonna achieve their goal? (Russia)
Absolutism
What happened after the fall of the SU? (Russia)
Major political parties were able to form outside of the SU
1995 (Russia)
Duma elections, 43 parties running candidates
- most small
Why didn’t the small parties have power? (Russia)
Narrow focus –> no staying power
1999 (Russia)
26 parties running
- CP had majority seats
Who had the majority in 1999? (Russia)
Communist Party
2000 (Russia)
Putin became President
- Russian political elites = UR
Who was the leader of the UR? (Russia)
Boris
Who was the UR’s rival?
CP of the RF
What did the UR believe in/ fight for? (Russia)
- Central planning
- Nationalization of industry to some degree
- Russian Nationalism
What system was used to vote for the Duma? (Russia)
Parallel voting
Parallel Voting (Russia)
2 types of voting, same chambers, same day
2001/2003 (Russia)
UR has been in control
Who is the leader of the UR party? (Russia)
Dmitri Medvedev
Who took control after the SU?
CPRF
The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia
Formed around around a person
- aren’t liberal or democratic; Fascist/authoritarian
Who was the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia?
Vladimir Zhinovsky
Just Russia
Collection of small left liberal parties
- try to appeal to liberal voters but support Vladimir in governance
Who is the leader of Just Russia?
Sergay Mironov
Who does the Federation Council? (Russia)
Each region
How many members are in the Federation Council? (Russia)
170
How are the Federation Council members chosen?
- 1 is elected by local assembly
- the other is nominated by local governor & approved by the local assembly
How many people are represented from each region in the Federation Council? (Russia)
2
Who took control after the SU?
CPRF
The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia
Formed around around a person
- aren’t liberal or democratic; Fascist/authoritarian
Who was the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia?
Vladimir Zhinovsky
Just Russia
Collection of small left liberal parties
- try to appeal to liberal voters but support Vladimir in governance
Who is the leader of Just Russia?
Sergay Mironov
Who does the Federation Council? (Russia)
Each region
How many members are in the Federation Council? (Russia)
170
How are the Federation Council members chosen?
- 1 is elected by local assembly
- the other is nominated by local governor & approved by the local assembly
How many people are represented from each region in the Federation Council? (Russia)
2
Before 2003/2004 (Russia)
Local governors in Federation Council
- no state/fed positions at the same time
Does the Federation Council have a fixed length term? (Russia)
No
What are the requirements for the Federation Council? (Russia)
- live region they represent for at least 10 years
- every member is independent
What are the duties of the Federation Council? (Russia)
- agree/ veto leg.
- you vote on approving presidential decree
- handles impeachment of the President
- confirm the President’s nomination in judges to the highest court in Russia
What is the Federation Council similar to? (Russia)
HOL in England
What is the setup of China’s legislation?
Unicameral
How was China’s legislation created?
Result of 1949 revolution
1980s, NPC (China)
The NPC started to take more power
How often does the NPC meet? (China)
10-14 days a year
How many ppl are the NPC? (China)
2,980
What is the NPC’s role? (China)
Vote on things executive branch wants done
What are most of the members of the NPC? (China)
Members of the CP
What are the remaining members of the NPC? (China)
United Front Democratic Party
How many ppl are in the United Front Democratic Party? (China)
861
What are the United Front Democratic Party? (China)
- more interest groups than PP
- give citizens a voice (on single issues)
How many years do members of the NPC serve? (China)
5 years
Describe the elections of the NPC? (China)
- multi round voting (indirect)
- can only pick from a certain group of ppl
What are the duties of the NPC? (China)
- amend Constitution
- change/ enact laws
- fill Cabinet positions
- determine major state issues
What is the NPC Standing Committee? (China)
Carries out NPC’s duties that they can’t fulfill throughout the year
How many ppl are in the NPC Standing Committee? (China)
150
What are the NPC Standing Committee duties? (China)
- pass laws
- confirm appointments
- most interpretation of Constitution (most power)
What is the State Council? (China)
Apart of the Executive branch
- carry out all actions passed by the NPC
How many members does the State Council? (China)
35
- all members also in Cabinet
Who is the State Council led by? (China)
The PM
Who is the State Council controlled by? (China)
The President
1980s, The State Council (China)
Tried to remove CP influence but failed
What is the Central Committee of the CP? (China)
CPC leadership vested in
How many members does the Central Committee of the CP have? (China)
376
How often does the Central Committee of the CP meet? (China)
Once a year
What is the Politburo? (China)
Group that directs the activities of the CP
- handles normal functions
How many members are in the Politburo? (China)
25
- all come from Central Committee
- highest ranking members
How often does the Politburo meet? (China)
Once a month
What is the Politburo Standing Committee? (China)
Ultimate power over the Politburo
How many members does the Politburo Standing Committee have? (China)
5-9
- includes President, PM, etc.
How often does the Politburo Standing Committee meet? (China)
Once a week
