Cheatography
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Understanding the roles and responsibilities of different levels of government.
Political Systems
Democracy |
Republic |
Monarchy |
Communism |
Refers to the system in which citizens have the right to take part in the decision making process |
Citizens have the right to take part int he decision-making process, but has a president as their leader, not a monarch |
A system of government in which a country is ruled by a king and queen whose power is limited by a constitution |
A political and economic system that seeks to create a classless society in which the major means of production are owned and controlled by the public |
Monarchy
Role |
Responsibilities |
Head of State |
Role Model |
Head of Commonwealth |
Political Neutrality |
Authorising legislation through Royal Assent |
Constitutional Duties |
Advising PM, Government Officials |
Representational Duties |
House of Commons
Composition |
Role |
Responsibilities |
Elected house |
Represent the people |
Representing individuals and communities |
Made up of elected representatives from constituencies |
Examining & challenging the work of the government |
Enabling debate & discussion |
Representatives are drawn from parties that have been elected |
Debating and passing all laws |
Political Neutrality |
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Enabling the government to manage public finances through taxation |
Voting on legislation |
Institutions of State
Executive - government, the PM, Cabinet and other ministers (to develop policies and propose legislation) |
Legislature - Parliament, members of the House of Commons and Lords (to debate proposed legislation and enact laws) |
Judiciary - judges (interpret and apply legislation in line with the intention of Parliament as well as developing common law |
Parliamentary Privilege
Freedom of speech and debate |
Northern Ireland Assembly
Composition |
Roles and Responsibilities |
Currently has 90 members |
Representing Northern Ireland and its people |
First Minister who is elected by all members |
Making legislation |
18 constituencies in Northern Ireland |
Scrutinising the executive committee |
Local Government
Role |
Represent residents in local areas |
Work with a range of partners to determine and deliver services |
Deliver essential services |
Types |
County councils, district councils, unitary authorities |
London Boroughs, Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Districts |
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The Executive
Roles and Responsibility |
Cabinet - setting the strategic direction of the country, and putting policies in place that are then implemented by the protective services |
Government Ministers - holding public office & enabling policies set to be implemented by the departments |
Civil Servants - ensuring the daily running of departments, implementing the policies set by the government |
Government Departments |
Ministry of Defence (armed services) |
Home Office (police, national crime agency, UK visas and immigration) |
Ministry of Justice (Prison Service, Probation Service) |
Department for Communities and Local Government (Fire & Rescue Services) |
Department of Health (Ambulance and NHS) |
House of Lords
Composition |
Role |
Responsibilities |
Not an elected body, but has appointed representatives |
Make laws |
Remaining independent from the work of Commons |
Hereditary peers, life peers, senior bishops |
Check & challenge the actions of the government and provide a forum of independent expertise |
Checking bills to ensure that laws are fit for purpose |
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Provide advice and guidance to Commons, government and other public bodies |
Representation of committees investigating public policy |
Separation of Powers
Separation of powers is in place to ensure that the major institutions of state are independent of each other so no individual should have power that spans all offices |
Scottish Parliament
Roles and Responsibility |
Composition |
Implementing laws and policy on matters that affect Scotland (health, education, environment, agriculture, housing) |
Self-contained meaning it doesn't need authorisation from UK Parliament |
Allocation of the Scottish budget |
Currently made up of around 129 members |
To pass laws (doesn't need authorisation from UK Parliament due to independence) |
The party with the most votes forms the government. |
Welsh Parliament
Composition |
**Roles and Responsibilities |
Around 60 members |
Representing Wales and its people |
40 = elected constituency members |
Making laws for Wales |
20 = elected on a regional basis |
Agreeing Welsh Taxes |
First Minister who is elected by the whole executive |
Holding the Welsh Government to account |
Reserved Powers
The UK Parliament has reserved powers which means it still has jurisdiction on matters that affect the UK as a whole or have an international impact |
Those which stay with Parliament in Westminster |
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