NAME: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS UNIT 1 GLOSSARY TASK Over the summer holiday complete the definitions for the words for the FOUR topics AND more importantly learn these key words with their definitions! There will be a test when you get back! Politics Democracy Equality Authoritarian regimes Legitimate system PARTICIPATION & VOTING BEHAVIOUR Developing a knowledge and understanding of government and society. In particular, it is about the struggle for power and influence between competing individuals and groups. People Power, or as Abraham Lincoln said: government of the people, by the people, for the people. The belief that people should be treated equally and given equal opportunities, as long as there are no grounds for treating them differently. Non- democratic countries in which there is very strong central direction and control. A government in which it s authority is widely accepted. Participation Direct Democracy Indirect Democracy Sometimes also referred to as Representative Democracy. Elitism Pluralism Pressure Groups Electorate All qualified voters. Franchise Abstainers Devolved Assemblies Apathy Alienation A feeling of separateness, of being alone and apart from others. Being estranged from the rest of society. Referendum Recall Vote
Opinion Poll A survey designed to find out the voting intentions or attitudes of members of the public. Voting Behaviour Psephologists Partisan Alignment The long-term allegiance of voters to a particular political party. Partisan Dealignment Class (de)alignment Social Class Ethnic Group Demographic changes Embourgeoisement Floating Voters Bandwagon Effect A suggestion that when voters read opinion polls they will tend to vote for the party that is already ahead. Boomerang Effect Spin Doctor Tactical Voting
ELECTORAL S MANIFESTO REFERENDUM ELECTION TURNOUT The amount of the electorate who votes in the election ACCOUNTABILITY LEGITIMACY REPRESENTATION DELEGATE TRUSTEE CONSTITUENCY MANDATE Where an individual(s) acts on the behalf of a larger group An individual who is given permission to act on behalf of others but must follow instructions An individual who has formal responsibility for the interests of another. A geographical area which representatives are chosen in an election to take care of the people s interests in that area. The winning party in an election claims a mandate from voters to conduct their policy plans laid out in their party manifesto during the election campaign. BY-ELECTION MAJORITARIAN SIMPLE PLURALITY PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION A system where the winning candidate must get the majority of the votes (e.g. 50% plus) to win. A system where the winning candidate only need to get a plurality of votes (e.g. one more than their closest rival). A system where the votes are turned roughly into the amount of seats the party should gain FPTP AMS AV SV STV PARTY LIST DISTRICT MAGNITUDE MIXED WASTED VOTE SAFE SEAT The number of representatives elected from a particular constituency This combines plurality or majoritarian with proportional representation. A vote for a candidate in a single-member constituency or a vote for a candidate who already has the most votes. A constituency that normally elects an MP from the same party every election.
TACTICAL VOTING ADVERSARIAL VOTING SPLIT- TICKETING VOTING MINORITY GOVERNMENT COALITION GOVERNMENT PARTISANSHIP REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT POPULAR VOTE Voting for a candidate who is most likely to beat the voter s least favoured candidate. The process of voting for candidates from different parties in an election where the voter can cast more than one vote. A government formed by a party that doesn t have the overall majority in the House of Commons (legislature) A bias or preference in favour of a particular group shown through loyalty and support. Is the total number of votes received by a party across the country. DOUBLE BALLOT QUOTA HUNG PARLIAMENT A parliament where no single party has the majority control of the Commons FREE VOTE MARGINAL SEAT CLOSED LIST SINGLE PARTY GOVERNMENT ELECTORAL REFORM VALENCE ISSUES A version of the party list system where voters only vote for political parties and have no influence over which candidates are chosen. A policy issue where the main parties agree.
IDEOLOGY CONSERVATISM SOCIALISM LIBERALISM NEW RIGHT THATCHERISM OLD LABOUR NEW LABOUR THIRD WAY ONE NATION POLITICAL PARTIES A set of beliefs or ideas that dictate your parties direction on policies. An ideology that favours looking at what is in place and improving it, not starting from scratch. Supports greater equality and redistribution of wealth. Likes personal liberty, toleration and limited government intervention. Mix of traditional conservative values e.g. strong government and neo-liberal attitudes of a free market An ideology that combines free market, neo-liberal economic policy with a traditional conservative social policy. Committed to socialism, using trade unions, commitment to the working class. Takes place before Blair. Modernisation of the party to appeal to middle class votes and to reduce the role of the trade unions. Done by Blair. The middle way Conservative ideology stressing the need to maintain the broad appeal to all groups in all parts of the country. CATCH ALL POLITICAL PARTY MAINSTREAM PARTY NATIONALIST PARTY SINGLE ISSUE PARTY TWO PARTY DOMINANT PARTY SINGLE PARTY INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS SHORT MONEY The main parties in contest at the elections who always do the best e.g. Labour, Conservative & Liberal Democrats Where two main parties compete for power at elections e.g. Labour and Conservatives One party dominates, bans other parties and has total control at candidacy elections. Money paid to opposition parties to cover their administrative
CRANBORNE MONEY costs to help with their scrutiny of government These are the same as short money but Cranborne money occurs in the House of Lords POLICY FACTION CONVICTION POLITICS SOCIAL JUSTICE The aim of greater equality of outcome and not equality of opportunity. NATIONALISATION FREE MARKET CONSENSUS POLITICS Dates from 1951-79 where there was an agreement on policies of peace, prosperity and welfare. PRIVATISATION COLLECTIVISM MINIMAL STATE PARTY WHIPS Officials who manage the supporters of their party in the Commons and are responsible for maintaining party unity & discipline. PARTY ADVERSARIAL POLITICS When the governing party is confronted by the opposition party over a policy because they don t agree with it and offer a different policy
PRESSURE GROUPS & PROTEST MOVEMENTS Those which seek to defend the interests of people or Defensive Groups categories of people in society. Those that seek to advance particular causes and ideas not of Campaigning Groups immediate benefit to themselves. The arena of social life above the personal realm of family but beneath the state. Voluntary organisations and civil Civil Society associations that allow individuals to work together in groups, freely and independently of state regulation. Trade Unions Post-Materialism Non- governmental organisations Think Tanks Groups formed to research and develop policy proposals. They are sometimes influential with the parties with which they share a broad affinity. Social Movements New Social Movements Peak (Umbrella) Organisations Single Issues Radar National network of disability organisations and disabled people. Typology Lobby Lobbying The practice of meeting with elected representatives to persuade them of the merits of the case you wish to advance. Lobbyists Background campaigns These are designed to present a favourable image for some cause or interest over a period of time. Direct Action Nimby Groups Local action groups whose members wish to protect their own lifestyle. Often campaign against developments in their own area. Pluralists
Coroporatists Countervailing Groups Corporatism Tripartism A loose less centralised form of corporatism operated under the administrations of both British parties in the 1960s and 1970s. Consensual Social Partners Policy Networks The different types of relationships that can apply between government, pressure groups and the range of other players involved in policy making in a particular sector. Policy Communities Issue Networks