Stand 1 Topic 2 – Power & Decision Making at National and European Level

Question 1

What is an Act?

Answer 1

A bill that has been passed into a law

Acts are formalized laws that have gone through the legislative process.

Question 2

Define Alienation in the context of Marx’s theory.

Answer 2

Feeling disconnected or separated from important aspects, including one’s own labour, products, people, and human nature.

Marx believed that capitalism leads to alienation.

Question 3

What is a Bill?

Answer 3

A proposal for a new law.

Bills can be introduced by members of the legislature.

Question 4

What are By-Laws?

Answer 4

Secondary legislation produced by City and County councils to address local issues.

By-Laws are specific to local governance.

Question 5

What is Capitalism?

Answer 5

An economic system where private individuals or businesses own and operate the means of production, driven by profit motives.

Capitalism emphasizes minimal government interference in the economy.

Question 6

What is the role of the Central Statistic Office (CSO) in Ireland?

Answer 6

Responsible for gathering information related to economic, social, and general activities and conditions in Ireland.

The census is one of the key activities conducted by the CSO.

Question 7

What are Checks and Balances?

Answer 7

A system where different parts of government can affect and control each other to prevent any one part from becoming too powerful.

This system is fundamental to democratic governance.

Question 8

What is a Citizens’ Assembly?

Answer 8

A randomly selected group of people who deliberate on important societal topics and issues.

Citizens’ Assemblies aim to reflect public opinion in decision-making.

Question 9

What is the Civil Service?

Answer 9

A group of government employees who implement national policies.

In Ireland, the civil service is organized into various departments.

Question 10

What does the Committee system do?

Answer 10

Gathers information on national and international issues and drafts recommendations and reports.

Committees play a crucial role in legislative processes.

Question 11

Define Communist theory.

Answer 11

A social and economic theory aiming to create a classless society where wealth and resources are shared equally.

This theory opposes capitalism.

Question 12

What is the D’Hondt system?

Answer 12

The voting system used in Northern Ireland.

It is a proportional representation method.

Question 13

What is Deliberative democracy?

Answer 13

Ongoing citizen discussion and debate on societal issues and policy making to improve democracy.

This form of democracy emphasizes active participation.

Question 14

What is Devolution?

Answer 14

The transfer of powers from Westminster to the Northern Ireland Government.

Devolution allows for local governance in specific regions.

Question 15

What is a Directive?

Answer 15

A law that requires member states to achieve a particular objective.

Directives often address issues like ending racism.

Question 16

What is an Electoral Manifesto?

Answer 16

A document outlining the vision, ideas, and plans of a political party contesting an election.

It describes what a party aims to achieve if elected.

Question 17

Define Feminism.

Answer 17

A social, political, and cultural movement advocating for gender equality and dismantling systems of patriarchy.

Feminism addresses gender-based oppression.

Question 18

What is a Gender quota?

Answer 18

A policy requiring a certain percentage of positions to be held by individuals of a particular gender.

Gender quotas aim to address underrepresentation.

Question 19

What are Heads of Bill/General Scheme?

Answer 19

An outline of the main objectives of a proposed new law, reviewed by the government.

This is a preliminary step in the legislative process.

Question 20

What is Implicit bias?

Answer 20

Unconscious attitudes, beliefs, and/or stereotypes held towards certain groups.

Implicit bias can affect decision-making without awareness.

Question 21

What is Intergovernmentalism?

Answer 21

A method of decision-making in international organizations allowing states to cooperate while retaining sovereignty.

This approach contrasts with supranationalism.

Question 22

What is Law?

Answer 22

A formal rule established by government to regulate actions of society members.

Breaking a law can result in penalties.

Question 23

What does Legislation refer to?

Answer 23

A law or set of laws.

Legislation is created through the legislative process.

Question 24

What is a Living wage?

Answer 24

The minimum income necessary for a worker to meet basic needs and maintain a reasonable standard of living.

It considers costs like housing and food.

Question 25

Who are Lobbyists?

Answer 25

Advocates or lawyers hired to represent a company's interests to decision makers. ## Footnote Lobbyists aim to influence legislation.

Question 26

What is a Minority Government?

Answer 26

Formed when the governing party lacks an overall majority in parliament. ## Footnote It often requires support from opposition parties or independents.

Question 27

What is the Ordinary legislative procedure?

Answer 27

The process of making EU legislation requiring approval from both Parliament and Council. ## Footnote The European Commission drafts the initial proposals.

Question 28

What is Parish Pump Politics?

Answer 28

Focus on regional issues by politicians to secure votes rather than addressing national issues. ## Footnote This strategy prioritizes local interests.

Question 29

What is the Party whip system?

Answer 29

Used to enforce discipline among party members to ensure attendance and voting according to party positions. ## Footnote Whips play a crucial role in legislative cohesion.

Question 30

Define Patriarchy.

Answer 30

A male-dominated and self-perpetuating society. ## Footnote This concept is central to the work of sociologist Sylvia Walby.

Question 31

What is a Policy?

Answer 31

An agreed plan of action or set of ideas on how to address an issue. ## Footnote Policies guide government actions and decisions.

Question 32

What is Primary Legislation?

Answer 32

Main laws of a country passed by Parliament. ## Footnote In Ireland, these are found in Bunreacht na hEireann.

Question 33

What is a Private Member's Bill?

Answer 33

A bill initiated by any member of either house of the Oireachtas, regardless of political affiliation. ## Footnote Example: Bríd Smith's 3-day wait abortion Bill.

Question 34

What is a Programme for Government?

Answer 34

A government's work plan for its term in office, subject to change. ## Footnote This document outlines priorities and actions.

Question 35

What does PRSTV stand for?

Answer 35

'Proportional representation by single transferable vote.' ## Footnote This is the Irish voting system.

Question 36

What is Public Policy?

Answer 36

Set of principles and guidelines adopted by the executive branch to address citizens' needs. ## Footnote Also known as national policy.

Question 37

What is Regulation?

Answer 37

A law that member states must implement immediately without government consent. ## Footnote Regulations are often detailed rules to enforce existing laws.

Question 38

What is Representative democracy?

Answer 38

A system where members of government are elected to create laws and policies. ## Footnote This system protects citizens' rights.

Question 39

What is Secondary Legislation?

Answer 39

Legislation created by a government department and approved by a minister to implement existing laws. ## Footnote It cannot create new laws.

Question 40

Define Social class.

Answer 40

A group of people in society sharing the same socio-economic status. ## Footnote Social class influences many aspects of life.

Question 41

What is a Social Contract?

Answer 41

Theoretical agreement among individuals to follow certain rules for order and welfare. ## Footnote This concept underpins many political theories.

Question 42

What is Social mobility?

Answer 42

The ability to move from one social class to another. ## Footnote Education is often seen as a pathway to achieving social mobility.

Question 43

Define Sovereignty.

Answer 43

Supreme authority within a region, relating to a state's control over its own matters. ## Footnote Pooling sovereignty refers to sharing control with other entities.

Question 44

What is a State Agency?

Answer 44

Public or governmental organization involved in policy making and delivering services on behalf of the government. ## Footnote Examples include HSE and Tusla.

Question 45

What is a Statutory Instrument?

Answer 45

A tool used by governments to create secondary legislation. ## Footnote Types include orders, regulations, rules, by-laws, and schemes.

Question 46

Define Supranationalism.

Answer 46

A large amount of power given to an authority that transcends national governments. ## Footnote This concept implies a higher authority over nation-states.