Politics paper 1 knowledge organisers

• Abstention


  Term used to refer to the act of not voting in an election
• Bandwagon effect


  When voters chose to vote for the party that is leading in the polls
• Boomerang effect


  When voters sympathise with, and decide to vote for, a party that is not performing well in the polls
• Additional member system


  The electoral system used in elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Greater London Assembly
• By-elections


  Elections to fill positions that become vacant before the next general election is due to be held
• Coalition government


  When no party wins an overall majority, two or more parties may form a coalition government. The coalition parties share seats in government and agree policies
• This knowledge organiser features the 'barebones' or the most important concepts/terms/arguments that will pave the way for future learning/revision
• Class dealignment


  The term that refers to the increasing breakdown of the link between class and voting behaviour
• Classic Liberalism


  The form of liberalism that focuses on negative liberty - the freedom from intrusion and obstruction from others
• Access points


  Term used for the various people and places that pressure groups target to apply pressure to achieve their desired changes
• Constituency


  A geographical territory that elects a member to represent it in a legislative body
• Disillusion and apathy


  A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
• Conservatism


  More of a state of mind than an ideology, this term refers to those who largely believe in tradition, order, hierarchy, authority, and property
• Authority


  Someone's widely recognised right to exercise power
• Election


  Name given to the competitive process in which the electorate vote for select individuals to fill particular (public office) posts
• Classic Liberalism


  The form of liberalism that focuses on negative liberty - the freedom from intrusion and obstruction from others
• Factionalism


  The occurrence of splits within political parties that happen when certain groups hold different views to the main beliefs of the party
• Embourgeoisement


  The idea that, as working class people become more middle class, their political interests and voting behaviour begins to change
• Conservatism


  More of a state of mind than an ideology, this term refers to those who largely believe in tradition, order, hierarchy, authority, and property
• Cause/promotional groups


  Term used for pressure groups that aim to promote issues and policies that do not exclusively benefit the group's members
• Electoral reform


  The broad term used for changes to existing electoral systems that aim to ensure that election results better reflect the wishes of the public
• Ideology


  A coherent set of ideas and beliefs about the world that drives political action, and shapes how you see the world's problems
• Factionalism


  The occurrence of splits within political parties that happen when certain groups hold different views to the main beliefs of the party
• Electorate


  Official name given to those who are registered and eligible to vote in elections
• Exit polls


  Surveys conducted at polling stations on election day asking people how they just voted
• Cheque-book members


  Term used to describe people who donate to pressure groups and charities, but do not take any further political action to further the group's aims
• Governing competency


  The extent to which the government is regarded as having been capable and competent. If it is view as having failed in government this will encourage the public to vote for a change
• Keynesianism


  The theory that economic depressions can be avoided by managing demand, with governments raising capital and investing to stimulate the economy
• Ideology


  A coherent set of ideas and beliefs about the world that drives political action, and shapes how you see the world's problems
• Civil rights


  The rights to be free from unequal treatment or discrimination based on certain protected characteristics (e.g. gender, race, disability)
• Mandate


  If a government or other elected body has a mandate to carry out a particular policy or task, they have the authority to carry it out as a result of winning an election or vote
• Liberalism


  An ideology that stresses individual freedom, reason, tolerance, equality of opportunity, and government by consent, limited by a constitution
• Keynesianism


  The theory that economic depressions can be avoided by managing demand, with governments raising capital and investing to stimulate the economy
• Hung Parliament


  Term used when no single party wins an overall majority in the House of Commons
• Compulsory voting


  An enforceable system where voter turnout is increased by fining those who do not vote
• Modern Liberalism


  The form of liberalism that focuses on positive liberty - the freedom to choose from a wide range of opportunities and realise your potential
• Democracy


  The modern word deriving from the Ancient Greek 'demos' (people) and 'kratos' (power)
• Manifesto


  In a general election each party will launch its manifesto, in which it sets out the policies it will introduce if it forms a government
• Liberalism


  An ideology that stresses individual freedom, reason, tolerance, equality of opportunity, and government by consent, limited by a constitution
• Hybrid systems


  Electoral systems that combine elements of simple plurality or majoritarian systems, with elements of proportional systems