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• Democracy


  A system of government by the entire population or a majority of eligible citizens, usually through elected representatives
• Liberal Democracy


  A system of government based on representative democracy and linked to freedoms and rights for citizens. USA, UK and EU follow this type
• Direct Democracy


  A system of government where all citizens take part in decision making. A modern example is the use of referendums
• Representative Democracy


  A system of government where citizens are elected to represent others in an assembly. A UK example would be an MP or a councillor
• Types of Government


  • Monarchy
  • Dictatorship
  • Communist
  • One Party State
  • Oligarchy
  • Anarchy
  • Theocracy
• Values underpinning democracy

  • Rights
  • Responsibilities
  • Freedoms
  • The Rule of Law
  • Equality
• Prime Minister


  The Head of Government. The monarch is the Head of State
• Legislature


  A body normally elected that decides upon the laws that apply to a state. In the UK, Parliament is the legislature
• Civil Service


  Employees of the state who administer our public policy
• Political Parties


  A group of people who share a common ideology and political beliefs and wishes to win elections in order to carry out their ideas
• Institutions of the British Constitution


  • The Power of government
  • The Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • The sovereignty of Parliament
  • The roles of the legislature
  • The Opposition
  • Political Parties
  • The Monarch
  • Citizens
  • The Judiciary
  • The Police
  • The Civil Service
• The UK Constitution is described as being unwritten and uncodified

  
• Tiers


  Another term for levels of government
• Ultra vires


  Acting beyond your legal power or authority
• Central Government


  Term used to describe the government of the UK
• Devolved government


  Name given to the bodies created under the policy of devolution, such as the Scottish Parliament
• Devolved Powers


  Decisions now being made by the devolved bodies e.g. Welsh Assembly
• Reserved Powers


  Still taken by the UK Parliament on behalf of all parts of the UK e.g. defence and foreign policy
• Local Elections


  Elections held for councillors to local councils, held on a fixed date in May after the fixed term of office has expired
• Lords Spiritual


  The 26 bishops of the Church of England who are members of the House of Lords
• Voter Turnout


  The percentage of voters who actually vote against the total number who are registered to vote
• Voter Apathy


  A lack of interest by citizens in the electoral and political process
• Electoral Commission


  A government-established body that monitors and oversees all UK elections and referendums
• Who can stand for election

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • British Citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland
  • Cannot stand for more than one constituency
• Who cannot stand for election


  • Civil Servant
  • Police
  • In the armed forces
  • A government nominated director of a commercial company
  • A judge
  • Peer in the House of Lords (including bishops known as the Lords Spiritual)
• Candidate Selection


  1. Local party will advertise in party journal for people to apply

  2. They have to be on a list approved by the National party

  3. Local party workers will then draw up a short list after interviewing potential candidates

  4. A 'returning officer' (a member of another local branch) will oversea the procedure for the party

  5. The potential candidates are invited to attend a meeting of party members

  6. The send a leaflet to all party members asking for their vote
• Rule


  Applies in certain situations, punishments vary and are not often consistent
• Law


  Applies in ALL situations and normally applies to everyone in society, if you break the law you are committing an illegal action and will be punished more consistently
• Sometimes rules are also laws- for example pupils at schools are not allowed to smoke and smoking would also be illegal
• Why do we have laws


  • To protect us and keep us safe
  • Protecting rights, promoting freedoms and equalities
  • Settling disagreements
• Criminal Law


  Any case which has caused grievance or harm to society as a whole e.g. arson or murder, fraud
• Civil Law


  Any case which involves the rights or problems of an individual or organisation e.g. divorce, breach of contract
• Civil Law cases


  • Inheritance
  • Divorce, separation and custody
  • Negligence
  • Copyright and patents
  • Land and property ownership
  • Accident and injury
  • Employment and other contracts
  • Unfair treatment at work
• Categories of Criminal Law cases


  • Crimes against the person
  • Crimes against property
  • Crimes against the State/ Crown
  • Participatory offences (if a person has encouraged or helped a criminal)
• Other Criminal Law cases


  • Incohate offences
  • Crimes against the environment
  • Drug offences
  • Keeping a dangerous dog
  • Road traffic offences
  • Public order offences
• Who can represent you in court or in preparation for it?

  • Barrister
  • Lawyer
  • Solicitor
  • You!
• Barrister/Lawyer


  Represents you in court and either defends you against the charges if you are accused, or prosecutes you on behalf of the accuser. In a criminal case they will prosecute you on behalf of the Crown
• Solicitor


  Doesn't usually represent in court unless it's a minor case. They are usually in charge of legal matters outside the court or help prepare cases for court. They can assist within court
• You can also represent yourself if you wish
• Rules


  Designed to remind people about safe, considerate and acceptable behaviour