This document includes the key words and definitions for units 1-6 of UK Government and Politics. It is tailored to the A-Level specification provided by the Edexcel exam board.
The document covers key words for both Paper 1 and 2, providing definitions and examples to support understanding.
CONTENTS
- UNIT 1: Democracy and Participation
- UNIT 2: Political Parties
- UNIT 3: Electoral systems
- UNIT 4: Voting behaviour and the Media
- UNIT 5: The Constitution
- UNIT 6: Parliament
UNIT 1: Democracy and Participation
Direct Democracy Individuals express their opinions
themselves (not through representatives)
e.g. referendums
Representative Democracy Individuals select a person (and/or
political party) to act on their behalf to
exercise political choice
Legitimacy The rightful use of power in accordance
with pre-set criteria or widely held
agreements e.g. the government’s right
to rule following an election
Decentralisation The process of spreading power away
from the centre both towards devolved
governments and to local government
Pluralist democracy A type of democracy in which a
government makes decisions as a result
of the interplay of various ideas and
contrasting arguments from competing
groups
Universal suffrage The idea that all people who are recognised
as adults have the right to vote,
regardless of any social or economic
considerations
Democratic deficit A flaw in the democratic process where
decisions are taken by people who lack
legitimacy, due to not having been
appointed with sufficient democratic input
or not being subject to accountability
Participation crisis A lack of engagement with the political
process by a significant number of citizens,
either by choosing not to vote or not to
join or become members of partied or not to
offer themselves for public office
, Elective dictatorship A government that dominates Parliament
usually due to a large majority and
therefore has few limits on its power
Franchise/suffrage Franchise and suffrage both refer to the
ability/right to vote in public elections
Causal group An association whose goal is to promote a
particular cause or set of beliefs. They
seek to promote favourable legislation,
prevent unfavourable legislation or bring an
issue to the political agenda
Sectional group An association that has an identifiable
membership or supporting group. Such
groups represent a section of society and
are mainly concerned with their own
interests
Lobbying An activity, commonly used by pressure
groups, to promote causes and interests.
Lobbying takes various forms, including
organising large gatherings at
Parliament or council offices seeking
direct meetings with decision makers
and employing professional organisations to
run campaigns
Think Tank A body of experts brought together to focus
on a certain topic. They investigate and
offer solutions to often complicated and
seemingly intractable economic, social or
political issues
Lobbyist A lobbyist is paid by clients to try to
influence the government and/or MPs and
members of the HoL to act in their clients’
interests, particularly when legislation is
under consideration
Civil liberties The rights and freedoms enjoyed by
citizens that protect them from unfair
treatment by the state and government.
They are the freedoms guaranteed by the
state and the constitution.
Civil rights Rights and freedoms that are protected by
the government, meaning the state must
take an active role in ensuring people are
protected and allowed to carry out these
rights freely and equally
Common Law Traditional conceptions of how disputes
should be settled and what rights
individuals have. Common law is
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