Politics Key Terms
UK POLITICS
Legitimacy: The belief that the government does things in terms of policy and law-making that are
acceptable to the citizens of that state.
Direct Democracy: The people take decisions themselves
Representative Democracy: Where citizens choose others to represent them, making important
decisions on their behalf.
Pluralist Democracy: A form of democracy where governments make decisions as a consequence of
the interaction between groups and organisations who have different ideas and contrasting arguments.
Democratic Deficit: Occurs when supposedly democratic organisations or institutions, such as
governments, do not fulfil the principles of democracy in how they operate.
Participation Crisis: A situation where a large proportion of the population do not engage with the
political process, for example by not voting in elections
Franchise/Suffrage: The ability and right of someone to vote in an election.
Think Tanks: Public policy research organisations that seek to influence government policy.
Lobbyists: The attempt by business, charities, political action committees, individuals and pressure
groups to influence politicians in the legislative, or justices in the judicial, to create certain pieces of
legislation, loosen regulation, or to rule a certain way in a judicial process.
First Past the Post (FPTP) – A voting system where the candidate with the most votes in a
constituency wins, used in UK general elections.
Additional Member System (AMS) – A hybrid voting system combining FPTP and proportional
representation, used in Scotland and Wales.
Single Transferable Vote (STV) – A proportional voting system where voters rank candidates in
order of preference, used in Northern Ireland and Scottish local elections.
Supplementary Vote (SV) – A majoritarian voting system where voters choose a first and second
preference, used in London mayoral elections.
Safe Seat – A constituency where one party has a significant, consistent majority, making their
victory highly likely.
Minority Government – A government formed by a party that does not have an overall majority in
parliament.
, Coalition Government – A government formed by two or more parties sharing power, usually due to
no single party winning a majority.
Class Dealignment – The weakening relationship between social class and voting behaviour.
Partisan Dealignment – The decline in voter loyalty to a specific political party.
Governing Competency – The perceived ability of a government to effectively manage affairs and
crises.
Disillusionment and Apathy – A lack of interest or trust in politics, leading to lower voter turnout.
Manifesto – A political party’s published policies and promises before an election.
Mandate – The authority granted to a government by winning an election, allowing it to implement
its policies.
Hierarchy – A system of organization where individuals or groups are ranked according to status or
authority.
Authority – The legitimate power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
Challenge to Conserve – The idea that to maintain traditions and institutions, some adaptation and
reform may be necessary.
Atomism – The belief that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals rather
than cohesive communities.
Noblesse Oblige – The concept that those of high social status have a moral duty to act with
generosity and responsibility towards those less privileged.
Anti-Permissiveness – Opposition to liberal social values, favouring a more traditional moral code.
Radical – Favouring fundamental or extreme change in political or social institutions.
Human Imperfection – The conservative belief that humans are naturally flawed and incapable of
achieving perfection.
Laissez-Faire – An economic policy advocating minimal government intervention in markets.
Old Labour (Social Democracy)
A form of Labour Party ideology emphasizing state intervention, wealth redistribution, and strong
welfare provisions. Rooted in socialist principles.
Example figures: Clement Attlee, Michael Foot, Tony Benn
UK POLITICS
Legitimacy: The belief that the government does things in terms of policy and law-making that are
acceptable to the citizens of that state.
Direct Democracy: The people take decisions themselves
Representative Democracy: Where citizens choose others to represent them, making important
decisions on their behalf.
Pluralist Democracy: A form of democracy where governments make decisions as a consequence of
the interaction between groups and organisations who have different ideas and contrasting arguments.
Democratic Deficit: Occurs when supposedly democratic organisations or institutions, such as
governments, do not fulfil the principles of democracy in how they operate.
Participation Crisis: A situation where a large proportion of the population do not engage with the
political process, for example by not voting in elections
Franchise/Suffrage: The ability and right of someone to vote in an election.
Think Tanks: Public policy research organisations that seek to influence government policy.
Lobbyists: The attempt by business, charities, political action committees, individuals and pressure
groups to influence politicians in the legislative, or justices in the judicial, to create certain pieces of
legislation, loosen regulation, or to rule a certain way in a judicial process.
First Past the Post (FPTP) – A voting system where the candidate with the most votes in a
constituency wins, used in UK general elections.
Additional Member System (AMS) – A hybrid voting system combining FPTP and proportional
representation, used in Scotland and Wales.
Single Transferable Vote (STV) – A proportional voting system where voters rank candidates in
order of preference, used in Northern Ireland and Scottish local elections.
Supplementary Vote (SV) – A majoritarian voting system where voters choose a first and second
preference, used in London mayoral elections.
Safe Seat – A constituency where one party has a significant, consistent majority, making their
victory highly likely.
Minority Government – A government formed by a party that does not have an overall majority in
parliament.
, Coalition Government – A government formed by two or more parties sharing power, usually due to
no single party winning a majority.
Class Dealignment – The weakening relationship between social class and voting behaviour.
Partisan Dealignment – The decline in voter loyalty to a specific political party.
Governing Competency – The perceived ability of a government to effectively manage affairs and
crises.
Disillusionment and Apathy – A lack of interest or trust in politics, leading to lower voter turnout.
Manifesto – A political party’s published policies and promises before an election.
Mandate – The authority granted to a government by winning an election, allowing it to implement
its policies.
Hierarchy – A system of organization where individuals or groups are ranked according to status or
authority.
Authority – The legitimate power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
Challenge to Conserve – The idea that to maintain traditions and institutions, some adaptation and
reform may be necessary.
Atomism – The belief that society is made up of self-interested and self-sufficient individuals rather
than cohesive communities.
Noblesse Oblige – The concept that those of high social status have a moral duty to act with
generosity and responsibility towards those less privileged.
Anti-Permissiveness – Opposition to liberal social values, favouring a more traditional moral code.
Radical – Favouring fundamental or extreme change in political or social institutions.
Human Imperfection – The conservative belief that humans are naturally flawed and incapable of
achieving perfection.
Laissez-Faire – An economic policy advocating minimal government intervention in markets.
Old Labour (Social Democracy)
A form of Labour Party ideology emphasizing state intervention, wealth redistribution, and strong
welfare provisions. Rooted in socialist principles.
Example figures: Clement Attlee, Michael Foot, Tony Benn
