theme b Flashcards
(139 cards)
1
Q
what is one key policy of labour party , conservative and liberal democrats?
A
labour: create a national education system that provides free education
conservative: decrease goverment spending + increase free trade
liberal democrates : tax more to fund the NHS
2
Q
what do you have to be to be eligible as a candidate for a mp?
A
- 18 or over
- a British citizen or Irish citizen
- not a judge
- not in police/ army
- eligible commonwealth citizen
- not someone who has been convicted and imprisoned for over a year
3
Q
how are candidates selected?
A
- become politically active in chosen party
- the party advertises for candidates and if eligible you can apply
- candidates to public speaking and try to gain votes through interviews ( hustings + canvassing)
- local party draws up short list
- local party members vote for a candidate to represent that constituency and winner is selected
4
Q
what is democracy?
A
a system of government where public elects political representatives.
5
Q
what is direct democracy?
A
when citizens make decisions directly on laws and policies, instead of electing representatives to decide for them
6
Q
what is representative democracy?
A
people vote for a representative to make decisions for them
7
Q
what is a referendum?
A
a vote called by the elector on a particular issue where the options are usually yes or no.
8
Q
what is canvassing and hustings?
A
canvassing is when people try to persuade other people into voting for their party in election
hustings is a meeting where candidates in a election speak to voters
9
Q
what are the strengths of a Representative democracy?
A
strength:
- every citizen can have say in who represents them
- a local mp will be very aware of the constituents needs
- if there is a high turnout parliament is more representative of the public opinions
-Practical for large populations
10
Q
what are two recent referendums in the uk?
A
- 2016 leaving the EU
- 2014 Scottish independence
11
Q
what are the strengths and weaknesses of direct democracy?
( 3 strength + 3 weakness)
A
strength:
True representation of the people
Encourages political participation
reduces party poltics - decsions are based on issues instead of party agendas
weakness:
- issues are more complex than a simple yes or no answer
- not every citizen understand the complexity
- media can influence
12
Q
who can and cant vote?
A
can vote:
- 18 or over on polling day
- commonwealth citizen
- resgistered to vote
- living in the UK
cant vote:
- member of the house of lords
- convicted prisoner
- people who are legally excluded from voting
13
Q
what is first past the post?
A
first past the post is a voting system in which each constituency elects a candidate for their mp.
candidates standing in that constituency are on a ballot paper and the candidate with the most votes becomes the mp.
14
Q
what are strengths and weaknesses for first past the post? ( 2 strengths 3 weaknesses)
A
strengths:
- simple system
- results are calculated quickly
- clear link between map and constituency
weakness
- only winning votes count
- encourages tactical voting
- some constituency are considered safe seats
15
Q
what is proportional representation?
A
proportional representation is a voting system in which the number of votes received = the amount of seats given to a party.
16
Q
what are the strengths and weaknesses of proportional representation?
A
strength:
fewer wasted votes
offers more choice to voters
fairer to smaller parties
weaknesses:
produces more coalition governments
mps have no links to constituency
allows extremists
17
Q
what are the four key things cabinet ministers do?
A
- proposing new laws
- managing government departments
- directing government polices
-making decisions about national issues.
18
Q
what are the roles and responsibilities of the prime minister?
A
- lead the country
- lead their party
- make polices inline with their manifesto
- lead the cabinet ministers
- answering ministers questions during PM question time
- over seeing the civil service and government
- first lord of the treasury
19
Q
what is a shadow cabinet?
A
the second largest party in the house of commons leads the official opposition.
the leader of that party selects a shadow cabinet to mirror the roles of cabinet
20
Q
what may some of a mp roles include? (4)
A
- promoting their parties manifesto
- participating in debates
- representing their constituency
- attending local events within their constituency
21
Q
what are mps positions?
(in house of commons)
A
- front bench ( spokes person sits on front bench)
- back bench ( back bench, mps who are not shadows or ministers)
- speaker of house of commons ( keeps order)
- Whips
22
Q
what is a green paper and what is a white paper?
A
a green paper is proposed by the house of commons or lords and it is discussed by experts. it is then shaped into a proposal. this is know as the consultation stage
a white paper is the bill given to the house of lords and the house of commons to discuss after the green paper consultation
23
Q
what happens in the first reading in the house of commons and lords
A
house of commons : mps read over the bill
house of lords: the house reads over bill
24
Q
what happens in the second reading in the house of lords and the house of commons
A
house of commons: the bill is debated in the hosue and some mps will vote on the bill
house of lords: the bill is debated but there is no vote
25
what happens in the committee stage in the house of commons and the house of lords
house of commons: a committes of about 20 mps will scrutinise the bill and vote on amusements
house of lords: usually the whole house scrutinises the bill and proposes amendments
26
what happens in the report stage in the house of commons and the house of lords?
house of commons: amended bill is shown to the house and people not involved in committee stage may propose changes
house of lords: amended bill is shown to the house and people not involved in committee stage may propose changes
27
what happens in the third reading in the house of commons and the house of lords?
house of commons: mps vote on bill
house of lords: vote but lords but still introduce amendments
28
what is the royal assent
after the house of lords and the house of commons have both agreed on the bill it has to be formally approved by the monarch. when it is approved it becomes a act of parliament
29
what is parliamentary ping pong?
its when the bill goes back and fourth in between houses until they both agree.
30
suggest 3 reasons why laws are made?
- proposed by the current government as apart of their manifesto
- promoted by current events ( acts of terror or environment)
- prompted by issues covered in the media ( pressure groups)
31
what power is there in the government ( 3 points)
- prime minister and the cabinet are the most powerful in deciding the direction of new legislation
- power is derived from number of setas held
- political authority is divided into legislation, judicial and executive power to ensure all laws are applied fairly and consistently to UK citizens
32
what are the roles of the opposition?
- suggest amendments to bills made by the government
- challenge their polices
- monitor the government work
- can make the government reverse unpopular polices
- they can voice the public views and concerns
33
whata re the weaknesses of a Representative democracy?
weaknesses :
- elections take place usually every 5 years which limits citizen input
- most mp will vote with their party rather than represent their constituency
34
what do those who are in favour of lowering the vote age to 16 say
- have in say in their future
- they are directly affected
- they are allowed to do other thingsa t the age of 16 such as getting married
- boost number of people who vote
- some pay taxes
35
what do those who are not in favour of lowering the vote age to 16 say
- Eighteen is the age where you are considered an adult, so that's when voting rights should be given
- not enough experience
- immature
- influenced by peer or parents
36
how many constituencies is the UK divided into
650
37
what is a constituency
an area represented by an mp
38
who is the speaker in the house of commons
the presiding officer of the house of commons
39
what is the house of lords know as
the unelected house
40
how is a single party government formed
when the party has has a majority of votes
41
what is the role of the monarch
- appointing the goverment
- reading the speech at the state opening at parliment
42
what is a cabinet
around 22 trusted party members that develop polices and lead departments
43
what are some difference between government ministers and civil servants
gov ministers civil servant
elected politician appointed official
political party politically neutral
can be changed permanent
44
what are some key ministerial departments
- department of education
- the home office
- majesty treasure
- ministry of defence
45
what does senior civil servant do
- prepare legislation
- brief government minister
- manage policies
46
what is the role of the house of commons
debates bills and passes laws
47
what does MEP mean
member of European parliament
48
who are front benchers
they are mps who hold office in the government or opposition
49
what does the executive do
makes polices and puts it into practice
50
what does the judiciary do
makes judgements about the law
51
what is the British constitution
the laws that set down how the uk is governed
52
what are some things that the government spend money on?
- pensions
- healthcare
- education
- defence
-
53
what is corporation tax
tax paid by businesses on the profit they make
54
what is national insurance
a tax on the money people earn
55
what are the three institutions of British government?
- house of commons
- house of lords
- the monarch
56
why is political authority of the state divided into legislative, executive and judicial powers?
to ensure that laws are applied constantly and fairly to UK citizens and to make sure no one has too much power
57
what is power derived from in the UK?
from a majority of seats held in the house of commons
58
why do parties want to have a higher majority of seats?
they have more power to pass legislation
59
whoa re the most powerful in deciding the direction of legislation?
the prime minister and the cabinet
60
what is the role of the monarch
- appointing the new government
- reading the speech at the state opening of parliment
61
how does the monarch appoint the government
the monarch meets the leader of the winning party, after the leader confirms they can form a new government the monarch appoints them as prime minister
62
what happens at the reading of the speech at the state opening of parliament
- monarch reads speech
- read in house of lords to officially open new govern meant
- speech made by new gov outlining their polices and proposed legislation
63
what are the roles of the shadow cabinet?
- scrutinise the ministers work
- develops polices in specific areas
- may block or undermine government policy
64
if the opposition wins the next election who will take the role of the cabinet
usually the shadow cabinet
65
what does bicameral mean?
a political system with two houses that make up the legislature
66
what is the group of all the most important ministers called?
the cabinet
67
what does the treasury do?
in charge of running fiances
68
what does the home office do?
responsible for protecting the public
69
what is the cabinet made up of
- treasury
- foreign and commonwealth affairs office
- home office
70
what does the foreign and commonwealth affairs office do?
it is responsible for the UKS interests abroad
71
what is parliamentary sovereignty
the fact that parliament is the supreme body that creates or abolishes laws and cannot be overruled
- parliament holds the government to account
72
what are the key arguments for devolution
- a local parliament can better represent the needs of their citizens
- each country will have a measure of self - government within the UK
73
what does devolution mean
the transfer of power from central to regional government
74
when was the Scottish independence referendum
2014
75
what does the black rod do?
the person who is in charge of ceremonial duties in the palace of Westminster - e.g braining mp to the house of lords for the state opening of parliament
76
what is the executive made up of?
- prime minister
- cabinet
- civil service
77
what is the judiciary made up of?
judges and magistrates in court
78
what is the legislature made up of
house of lords and house of commons
79
what does the legislature do?
makes laws
80
what does the secretary of state do?
a mp who is in charge of a government department such as health
81
what is the minister of state
is a assistant to the secretary of state
82
what are the differences between government ministers and civil servants?
Minister
- elected politicians
- represent party
- change through election/ cabinet reshuffle
- head of ministerial department
- decide polices to implement
civil
- appointed officials
- politically neutral
- permanent
- work in minister department
- prepare and advise of policy
83
roughly how many senior civil servants are there in the government
4000
83
what are some key minister departments
- treasury
- home office
- ministry of defence
- department of education
84
what do senior civil servants do?
- preparation fo new policy + experts in particular areas
- advise ministers epically new ones on polices ministers wish to present in government
85
what will senior civil servants do on a day to day?
- prepare legislation
- find answers to parliamentary questions
- brief their government minister
- meet with representatives of different groups
85
are senior servants politically active or not
no, they work in a non-political role
86
what values do civil servants strive to uphold
- integrity
- honesty
- objectivity
- impartiality
87
how do civil servants show integrity and honesty
integrity: by putting the needs of the public before themselves
honesty: subject to public scrutiny so have to be open and honest
88
how do civil servants show objectivity and impartiality?
objectivity: making decisions after evaluating all evidence
impartiality: serving all governments equally well
89
how many civil servants work across the UK
over 400,000
90
is the UK codified or uncodified?
uncodified
91
is the USA codified or uncodified
codified
92
what is a uncodified constitution
the constitution is from a number of sources which had not been formally written down in one document
93
what is a codified consitiution
a single document which outlines the way the state is governed
94
whats re the 4 main sources of the UK constitution?
- legislation
- conventions
- common law
- European law
95
what are the three main principles of a codified constitution
- authoritative - defines how political institution operates
- entrenched - difficult to ammend
- judiciable - its a higher law that new laws have to be judged against
96
what is the role of the speaker in the house of commons
act as a neutral referee between the different sides of the House of Commons
97
why is parliamentary sovereignty the most important part of the UK constitution
- makes parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK
-
98
what is judicial review
a review carried out by the high court to decide if a decision made by a public body is being made properly
99
what is parliamentary inquiry
an inquiry set up to ibestivagte actions taken by government departments
100
what is the select committees
one of the committees that check and report on the work of government departments
101
what is statue law
law that has been passed by parliament over a long period
102
what is european law
affects all countries that are apart of the european union - if uk was apart of EU the euro law would have impact of the constitution
103
what is the role of the hoc select committees
to examine work of government departments,polices and administration
104
what is the role of the hol select committees
examine broader issues like the constitution,economy and communications
105
what are the ground for judicial review
- illegality - decision maker did not have legal power or authority
- irrationality - decision defies logic or acceptable moral standards
-legitimate expectation - a person believed promises or polices would be followed but they were not
106
what are reserved matters only handled by UK parliament
- constitution
- foreign affairs
- defence
- immigration
- drug control
- social security
- financial economic matters
107
what are some powers devolved to the scottish parliment
environment
agriculture
forestry
fishing
education
health/social worl
108
what was the result of the scottish devolution referendum
74% voted yes
109
what powers do the wesh assembly have now
similar to scotland,excluding
- justice/policing
110
what is unique about the northern ireland assembly
their devolved powers are similar to scotland's but some reserved matters need agreement from the secretary of state
111
what is the whip
MPs appointed to organise party members
- responsibility to make sure Mps vote in line with party views
112
what are the arguments for the scottish independence 2014
- decisions about scotland should be made by scottish civilians
- scotland wouldn't have to fight british wars
- scotland could focus of scottish prioties
- scottish taxation and spending would make them a more successful country
113
what are the arguments against scottish independence
- uk has been a successful union for 300 years
- joint security across the UK is better
- Uk is influential leader in NATO and UN - scotland is less influential
- scotland would have to establish a currency union to keep using the pound
114
what is direct tax
taxes paid by a person or organisation which cannot be passed to anyone or be ignored
115
what are examples of direct tax
and what are each of these
income tax - tax on wages when earn above a certain amount
inheritance tax - tax on money left to you in a will after someone has died
corporation tax - tax based on business profits
national insurance - based on income - state pension
council tax - based on the value of property that you live in
116
what is indirect tax
tax paid on goods and services
117
what are examples of indirect tax and what are they
VAT - tax on most things you buy, currently charged at 20%
excise duties - tax levied on items like alcohol and tobacco
118
what is his majesty's revenue and customs
NON - ministerial gov department
- collects tax
- payments of some types of state support
- administration of some regulations like minimal wage
-investigate fraud,smuggling,tax evasion
119
what are the key responsibilities of the chancellor of exchequer
- raising revenue for teh gov through taxation
- controlling how government revenue is spent
- leading the treasury
- allocating expenditure limits for all other government departments
120
what is austerity
economic term to describe how a government will try to reduce its budget to balance spending
121
what are some key debates around the NHS and healthcare and the increased pressure on the NHS
| budgeting
- people who can afford private healthcare should pay for its services
- people with self inflicted illnesses should help themself
- wider solutions can be found for adult social care
- NHS should remain free with increased funding
122
what are the key debates for and against welfare
| budgeting
for : benefits provide a saftey net
for : fit people need to look after the disbalied and ill in society
against: benefit system is open to abuse and some commit fraud
against: benefits cost too much and create a cycle of dependancy and poverty
123
what are the key debates on education
| budgeting
- impacts for cutting the budget and increasing class size
- cost of uni may be detering people from getting a degree
- students who go to private schools usually get better outcomes
- grammar schools create a selective system base don parental resources
124
what are the key debates on care for the eledery
| budgeting
- families caring for relatives
- increased tax to cover increased cost ( aging popultion)
- taking personal repsonislibity for old age through savings
125
what are the key debates of charities
| budgeting
how citzens can work them selves out of poverty and the role of charities through
- homeless shelters
- food banks
- free legal advice
126
what is indirect democracy
when citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.
127
Three ways in which the UK Parliament hold the
government to account are:
- ministeral question time
- prime minister question time
- debates and votes on specific topics
- parlimentary inquiries
- select committees
128
why is it important for UK citzens to vote
- gives them a oppourintiy to express their views and opnions on certain topics
-It holds politicians accountable - if they dont do their job well they voters can choose to not re-elect them
- it affects every day life
129
what are the key features of coalition governemnts
Parties in the coalition must agree on shared policies.
They often have to compromise on their original promises.
Coalition governments can be less stable if the parties disagree.
130
why might people not want coalation governments
- lack of clear leadership - can make decsion making slower
- broken promises - as leaders have to compromise on ideas
- less stability - gov can break down if disagreemnts occur
131
role of hoc
-makes and passes laws
-represents public
- holds government to account
132
role of hol
- provides expertise
- delays legislation
- hold government to account
133
Two Features of How MPs are Elected to the House of Commons:
- through the first past the post voting system
- through their constituencies
134
what is a by-election
by-election occurs when an MP’s seat becomes vacant due to reasons like resignation or death. It is held in the specific constituency where the vacancy has occurred.
135
what do civil servants do
- give advice to government ministers
- prepare polices for ministers
- may represent the uk in foregin countries
136
compare civil servents and senior civil servents
- both politically neutral
- senior civil servants help shape and make high-level decisions where civil servants follow decisions made by others
137
differences between pr and fptp
- pr - vote for a pary - fptp vote for a mp representing a party
- pr - seats are allocated dependant on the % of the vote - fptp - winning vote counts
- pr - complex - fptp - simple
