Key Words for Participation and Voting Behaviour. (Politics, AS, AQA)

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  • Created by: Holly
  • Created on: 16-05-13 13:07
Democracy
'People's power'. The government rest on the consent of the electorate. Key elements: popular control of policy makers, open opposition, political equality, political freedoms, majority rule, fair elections and lawmaking by elected representives.
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Equality
People should be treated equally and given equal opportunities, as there are no grounds for treating them differently
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Authoritarian regime
Non-democratic countries where there is very strong central direction and control. The range of candidates is usually limited.
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Legitimate system of government
Authority of the government is widely accepted by those who are subject to it.
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Participation
Engagement of the population in forms of political action
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Direct democracy
The citizens themselves assemble to debate and decide issues of public importance. (ancient Athens, referendums)
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Indirect democracy
The citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
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Elitism
Recognition that society should be governed by an elite or small group.
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Pluralism
'rule by many'. Relates to a society in which there are diverse and competing centers of power, which seek to exert influence over government
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Abstainers
Those who do not vote. This can be for involuntary reasons, or a deliberate choice.
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Apathy
A lack of interest or enthusiasm for playing a part in the political system.
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Hapathy
A low turnout at elections due to content within a country.
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Alienation
A feeling of separation, of being alone and apart from others. Being estranged from society, community or the world.
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Capitalism
'free enterprise' economic systems in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit.
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Communism
ideology that seeks to establish a classless society based on common ownership of the means of production
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Post-materialistic age
Era in which people are less concerned about their material needs (basic requirements) which are available to the majority and are more concerned about quality-of-life issues.
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Initiative
A procedure through which an individual or group may propose legislation by securing the signatures of a required number of qualified voters.
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Recall vote
Enables a certain amount of voters to demand a vote on whether an elected official should be removed from office.
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Anti-globalisation
Political outlook of the social movements against global trade agreements and the impact they have on the worlds poorest people on the environment and on the prospect of international peace.
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40:30:30 society
A society where 40% of the population have a secure employment and are relatively well off, 30% are in insecure employment, and the other 30% are economically and socially marginalised, jobless or working for poverty wages and barely able to subside.
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Social capital
Connections between individuals and the social networks and trustworthiness that arise from them. A strong social capital (good social ties) can enable a community to develop political institutions and processes that can solve society's problems
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Socialisation
Instilling of political attitudes and values via agencies such as family upbringing, education, the media etc.
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Social class
Hierarchical distinctions between the individuals or groups in society. It is the division of people with similar characteristics into distinct levels.
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Psephologists
Specialists in the study of elections and voting behaviour
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Partisan allignment
Long-term allegiance of voters to a political party
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Partisan dealignment
Breakdown of long-term allegiance of voters to a particular party since the 1970s.
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Class allignment
Strong associations of membership of a social class with support for a political party
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Class deallignment
Breakdown of long term association with a political party due to social class.
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Instrumental voting
Voting is a one-off assessment of the parties policies and reputation, based on their past performance as well as judgement about their ability to deliver what they promise
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Ideology
A system of assumptions, beliefs and values about public issues which are a vision of society.
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The Winter of Discontent
Period of widespread unrest that seriously disrupted everyday life and damaged the prospects of the labour government.
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Middle England
Political middle ground, often seen as being occupied by the aspirational middle, lower middle and working classes of England, those who wanted to better themselves.
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Third Parties
Parties capable of gathering a sizable percentage of popular support and regularly gain seats in the legislature, but which have no meaningful chance of being the majority party and forming a government after an election.
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Demographic changes
Changes that relate to the size and distribution of the population
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Embourgeoisement
Tendency of better-off working people with aspirations to become more like the middle classes in their social outlook and voting behaviour.
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Floating voters
Those whose votes change from election to election
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Bandwagon effect
The polls encourage voters to climb on the bandwagon of the party that is ahead, so that they end up backing the victorious side
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Boomerang effect
The polls encourage voters to change sides and support the underdogs.
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Political consultants
Professional advisers who specialise in an aspect of election campaigning
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Spin Doctors
Specialist party consultants whose task it is to change the way the public perceives an issue/event and encourage favourable media coverage for the party and its leader.
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Tactical voting
When an elector votes not for their favoured candidate, but for another who is likely to win. This is usually done to prevent the election of a candidate representing the most disliked party.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

People should be treated equally and given equal opportunities, as there are no grounds for treating them differently

Back

Equality

Card 3

Front

Non-democratic countries where there is very strong central direction and control. The range of candidates is usually limited.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Authority of the government is widely accepted by those who are subject to it.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Engagement of the population in forms of political action

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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