AP Comp Gov UK Unit

Brexit

British exit from the European Union realized in a 2016 referendum

Speaker of the House

presiding officer of the House of Commons

Unitary Government

A centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single, central agency, no devolution

Welfare State

A government that undertakes responsibility for the welfare of its citizens through programs in public health and public housing and pensions and unemployment compensation etc. examples are nhs and pensions

Conservative Party

A political party in Great Britain which developed from the Tories in the 1830s, One of the two major parties in the UK, it is generally more right wing, and more towards free-markets and the upper classes,advocates a mixed economy and encourages property owning

Good Friday Agreement

A practical peace agreement reached by the major parties in Northern Ireland with the British and Irish governments on, not surprisingly, Good Friday 1998. established an assembly for northern ireland

Differentiate between social movements and interest groups

A social movement is a large, often informal grouping of individuals who focus on specific political or social issue versus an interest group which is a formal association of individuals that attempts to influence public policy in its favor

Alternate Voting

A system where the voter has the chance to rank the candidates in order of preference rather than voting for a single candidate

Neo-liberalism

A term used to describe government policies aiming to promote free competition among business firms within the market, including reduced governmental regulation and social spending. less government involvement in the economy

Explain why a vote of no confidence may be taken and what the results are of losing such a vote

A vote of no confidence may be taken when the majority does not support the policy of a leader or body. The result is a resignation of government or PM or a dissolve of parliament.

Quagnos

Acronym for quasi-nongovernmental organizations, the term used in Britain for non-elected bodies that are outside traditional governmental departments or local authorities. an organization funded by taxpayers but not controlled directly by central government (over 700 of them in the UK)

Identify agents of socialization in the UK

Agents of socialization in the UK would be family, schools, and the Media

Sinn Fein

An Irish republican political movement founded in 1905 to promote independence from England and unification of Ireland

BBC

British Broadcasting Corporation, the government-funded British broadcast network. is a quango but is editorially independent and competitive

Labour Party

British working-class political party established in the 1890s and dedicated to reforms and a peaceful transition to socialism, in time providing a viable alternative to the revolutionary emphasis of Marxism. controlled by unions for awhile and controlled labor and what they did

Define collective consensus and explain why the UK is a welfare state

Collective consensus was a general agreement on politics after WWII that called for more governmental aid. The UK is considered a welfare state because they do provide health care, pensions, unemployment benefits, and assistance to the poor.

Explain collective responsibility as it relates to the cabinet in a parliamentary system

Collective responsibility is how the cabinet collectively makes decisions on the government, and thus collectively takes responsibility for how things turn out.

Define constitutional monarchy and describe the role of the monarch in the UK

Constitutional monarchy is a system of government where the head of state transfers power by heredity but the government or state officials have all powers of the Crown and the constitution limits the powers of the head of state. The monarch does constitutional and representational stuff and is the focus of national identity, unity, and pride.

Describe current major public policy issues in the UK today, including its role in the EU

Current public policy issues today are whether or not Ireland should be part of the UK, how the UK should slow down immigration, and what should be done with the NHS, and of course, whether or not membership to the EU is beneficial and advantageous for the UK.

Define devolution and provide examples of how the UK has devolved power

Devolution is the movement of power from central authority to local governments. The UK has devolved power to the Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Describe similarities/differences between a parliamentary and presidential form of government

Differences between Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government are that in Presidential system the executive leader is elected by the people, whereas in a Parliamentary system he is elected by the legislature. The Cabinet checks the power in a Parliamentary system, while the legislature checks the power in a Presidential system. It is far easier to enact legislation in a Parliamentary system versus a Presidential one.

Identify ethnic minorities in the UK and identify the fasting growing group of minorities

Ethnic minorities in the UK are mostly Asian, Black, or Mixed with Asian minorities being the fastest growing group

Distinguish between unitary and federal governments

In unitary governments one central authority has the power, in federal governments the power is split between national and local governments.

Define supranationalism and integration

Integration is where states gain political, economic, and social clout by pooling their sovereignty. Supranationalism is where a large amount of authority is given by a state toa body higher than the state.

Describe how interest groups function in the UK, including quangos

Interest groups can play a very large role in politics and policy making of the United Kingdom. Notable Interest Groups include the Trades Union Congress, National Farmers Union, British Medical Association.Quangos stand for quasi-non-governmental organizations; they are non elected bodies outside traditional governmental departments or local authorities. Quangos perform a specific function of government (education, housing, etc.).

Backbenchers

Members of a parliament who are not in the government or shadow cabinet. party members trying to get higher seats in parliament

Explain key common policy and its purpose

Key common policy is creating and maintaining a single market (no tariffs, universal licenses), monetary policy (common currency, central bank, basic fiscal policy), agriculture (modernize inefficient farms), and defense (deploy 60k troops per year, crisis management)

Liberal Democrats

Liberals and Social Democrats formed an allegiance in 83 and 87 elections, merged in 1989, goal was to establish a strong party in the middle as a compromise to the politics of the two major parties, won 26% of votes in 1983, campaigned for proportional representation and a Bill of Rights, strength declined in 90s, benefited from Blair disillusionment

Describe the major challenges facing the EU today

Major challenges facing the EU today are enlargement fatigue, democratic deficit, and the refugee crisis

Describe the major linkage institutions in the UK

Major linkage institutions in the UK would be their several political parties, including the Labour and Conservative Party, the BBC media group, the PM elections (indirect), and major any interest groups within the four nations.

Identify major social cleavages in the UK and describe ways in which the state has acted to address these cleavages

Major social cleavages in the UK are that of ethnicity and race, as well as that of gender, and most importantly geography. The state has been able to shrink the gender pay gap and increase both full time earnings and employment for women. The Race Relations Act was made to protect people from discrimination

Define neoliberalism and identify policies of Margaret Thatcher that embraced neoliberalism

Neoliberalism is the economic approach that looks to reduce state regulation of the economy and promote competitiveness among businesses within the market. Margaret Thatcher cut taxes, reduces social services, and stimulated competitiveness/efficiency within the private sector using government policy.

How does the UK compare to other countries in the AP6 in terms of GDP, Gini, Freedom House, CPI?

Of the AP6 countries, the UK has the highest GDP per capita ($39,267), the lowest GINI index, the highest Freedom House Score, and the lowest CPI

Explain the concept of parliamentary sovereignty

Parliamentary Sovereignty is where Parliament can make or overturn any law the executive, the judiciary, and the throne do not have any authority to restrict, veto, or otherwise overturn parliamentary action.

What reforms have been made in the House of Lords?

Reforms to the House of Lords are the HoL Appointment Commission the decrease in rights of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords.

Which major interest group has had less of a voice/role since the Thatcher era?

Since the Thatcher era, the interest group who's voice has lessened since the Thatcher era was workfare

Parliamentary System

System of government in which the chief executive is answerable to the legislature and may be dismissed by it debate and refine potential legislation

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The British Cabinet minister responsible for financial and economic matters and in charge of the Treasury

Explain the role of the bureaucracy in the UK. What relationship does it have to the cabinet?

The Bureaucracy in the UK is very strong as the executive is dominated by administrative agencies because the Cabinet's authority must be shared with a lot of unelected officials due to how complex the state policy making is in the UK.

Describe the main purpose of each of the following EU institutions

The European Commission initiate and implements new programs and is the permanent executive that supervises EU work The Council of Ministers initiates legislations but cannot pass it, and meets about policy issues. The European Parliament may propose amendments to legislation, reject proposals (that the council can override) The Court of Justice upholds the rule of European law and has power of judicial review The Court of Auditors checks financing of EU activities

Describe the main differences between the House of Commons and House of Lords

The House of Commons is the lower house of legislature that passes laws, authorizes taxation, and reviews/scrutinizes admin/gov't. The House of Lords is the upper house of legislature that revises, redrafts, suggests amendments to, debate, refine, and delay but cannot block legislation.

Describe the purpose of the Maastricht Treaty and identify its key components, including the Three Pillars

The Maastricht Treaty was made to create the EU, expand its authority, and coordinate economic policies through a common currency and bank. The first pillar controlled trade and created the European Central Bank. THe second pillar gave the EU authority over justice, home affairs, and judicial cooperation on terrorism and crime. THe third pillar controlled common foreign and security policy

Describe the basic structure of the UK Supreme Court.

The Supreme court was established in 2009 because British observers were worried senior judges would become isolated and would be politically attacked by government ministers without the connection between parliament and the judiciary that the Supreme Court offered The Supreme court is the final court of appeal for all UK civil cases and hears appeals for laws. The EU determines more of the law than the Supreme Court because membership to the EU calls for an abide by the European Court of Justice. They cannot rule on the constitutionality of Acts of Parliament.

Explain why the UK is considered an evolutionary democracy

The UK is considered an evolutionary democracy because rather than become democratic through revolutions and major government upsets, the UK slowly implemented democratic policy into their government, one policy at a time.

Define the difference between Proportional and Plurality elections

The UK uses a first past the post election system Consequences of this system are that it can lead to a two party system, small parties are less likely to win, and it is less likely to have a majority The Alternative Vote Plan is where voters rank choices. It was proposed in the Coalition Agreement but was not passed because the coalition partners ware hella divided on the system for electing MPs

Devolution

The delegation of legal authority from a central government to lower levels of political organization, such as a state or country. Scotland and walled passed their own regional assemblies powers of taxation, education and economic planning (good friday agreement)

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The doctrine that grants the legislature the power to make or overturn any law and permits no veto or judicial review.

Thatcherism

The economic policy of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Reduced state economic power and introduced free market and privatization with certain constraints. Deregulated the UK's market.

Identify the main goal of the "Common Market" created by the Treaty of Rome

The main goal of the Common Market created by the treaty of rome was to remove all tariffs from European nations and create new tariffs that applied to all nations.

Describe modes of political participation in the UK

The modes of political participation in the UK would be social movements, interest groups, unions, protests, and elections

Shadow Cabinet

The official leadership of the opposition party that "shadows" the cabinet

The "Government"

The prime minister and the cabinet that initiate policy and the parliament

Identify the major political parties and describe their key beliefs

The three major political parties in the UK are the Labour and Conservative parties. The Labour Party is a central right party of moderate democratic socialization that supports Keynesian economics and increased social services/government spending. The Conservative Party is a central right party that focuses on economic liberalization and privatization of companies, reduction of taxation and government spending as well.

Identify the three requirements for membership

The three requirements for EU membership are a stable and functioning democratic regime, a market oriented economy, and a willingness to accept all EU laws and regulations.

Collective Consensus

began during WWII w churchill's emphasis on putting aside difference aside in order to work together to defeat germany we're in this together mindset labour party begins to rise, we got your back type relationship

Are there concerns with major civil liberties or political rights?

There are no serious concerns with major civil liberties or political rights

How do public policy issues reflect either fragmentation or globalization?

These issues definitely reflect fragmentation over globalization, as they divide the people and organizations of the UK rather than drive their foreign activity.

Explain Tony Blair's "Third Way" and identify key reforms

Tony Blair's "Third Way" was an alternative to Thatcherism and collectivism (of the traditional Labour) that focused on modernization. Key reforms made with this system were emphasis on partnership with business and a rejection of ties between government and trade unions.

Vote of No Confidence

Vote in which a majority of the members in Parliament remove the Prime Minister from office

Scottish National Party

centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence, most popular party in scotland

Coalition government

When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature. This form of government is quite common in the multiparty systems of Europe. sort of like an ali between parties for elections in the UK

How is the PM chosen? What are the roles of the PM? Explain what is meant by the PM is "first among equals"

Whichever party becomes the majority party in the HoC, their leader is appointed by the Queen as PM. How the leader of a party is elected depends on the leader; in the Conservative party the leader is chosen by a one member/one majority vote system among MPs; Labour party leaders are elected through an alternative, general vote system. The PM is the commander and chief and can dissolve parliament, he also chairs the cabinet, appoints ministers, and is the spokesperson for the government. The PM is first among equals because the Cabinet has just as much power as the PM but the PM is recognized as the premier executive power.

UK Independence Party aka brexit

a Eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom brexit party

The Third Way

a centrist alternative to the old labour party on the left and the conservative party on the right Tony blair's policy you can either be conservative labour or in the middle, he was in the middle

Referendum

a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Hung Parliament

a parliament in which no single party has majority control in the House of Commons

Question Time

a period during a parliamentary session when members of Parliament may ask questions of the ministers

Common Law

a system of law based on precedent and customs rather than formal legal codes tradition, history, president

Blair, Tony

created a "new labour" to try and break control from labour party his downfall was when he forced the UK to go into the Iraq war when no one supported it and ignored the people and his party when they said not to enter the war

Life Peers

distinguished members of the society who are given lifetime appointments to the house of lords were appointed by the queen for doing good things

Austerity

drastically holding down government expenses

Law Lords

five members of the House of Lords who serve as Britain's highest court of appeals top legal experts appointed for life and are important for legal appeals

Collective Responsibility

in a parliamentary system, the concept that all cabinet members agree on policy decisions and that all will be responsible for the results

Hereditary Peers

members of the House of Lords appointed by the monarch and whose title automatically passes down to their sons.

whitehall

street in London where many government buildings are located also used to describe collection of executive agencies aka the bureaucracy

Constitution of the Crown

the crown/monarch has no actual political power had developed gradually and with tradition provide stability for the country

First-Past-the-Post Voting System

the election process for representatives in the House of Commons; it means winner take all; the candidate who receives the most votes is elected and there is no need for a majority nor an element of proportional representation

Plaid Cymru

the nationalist party in Wales that advocates more rights for the Welsh people, including use of the Welsh language

Loyal Opposition

the party that does not win the majority