Britain

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Industrial Revolution

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A period of rapid and destabilizing social, economic, and political changes caused by the introduction of large-scale factory production, originating in England in the middle of the eighteenth century.

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Reform Act of 1832

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Extended the right to vote to a section of the male middle class, after the propertied classes and increasing agitation pushed Parliament to expand the right to vote. Before, less that 5% of the adult population could vote, and after, still on 7%

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Representation of the People Act of 1867

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Increased the electorate to 16% but left cities significantly underrepresented.

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The Franchise Act of 1884

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Nearly doubled the electorate

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The Representation of the People Act of 1918

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Included nearly all adult men and women over the age of 30 in the electorate

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Welfare State

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A set of public policies designed to provide for citizens' needs through direct or indirect provision of pensions, health care, unemployment insurance, and assistance to the poor.

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Stagflation

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Increased inflation and reduced growth

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New Labour

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The new name of the Labour Party under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which offered a "third way" alternative to Thatcherism and the collectivism of traditional Labour. Rejected interest-based politics, in which unions and working people voted Labour and businesspeople and the more prosperous were conservatives. Rejected historic ties between Labour governments and the trade unions and emphasized partnership with business.

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Chancellor

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Finance Minister

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Big Society

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The current new framework for government in Britain that argues for wide-ranging initiatives to empower ordinary citizens to take control over their lives and shift the balance of power downward from the state to communities and individual citizens.

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Westminster model

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A form of democracy based on the supreme authority of Parliament and the accountability of its elected representatives; named after the Parliament building in London.

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Neoliberalism

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Government policies aiming to promote free competition among business firms within the market, including reduced governmental regulation and social spending

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Macroeconomic Policy

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Policy intended to shape the overall economic system by concentrating on policy targets such as inflation and growth

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Keynesianism

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Named after British economist John Maynard Keynes, an approach to economic policy in which state economic policies are used to regulate to economy to achieve stable economic growth

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Monetarism

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An approach to economic policy that assumes a natural rate of unemployment, determined by the labor market, and rejects the instruments of government spending to run budgetary deficits for stimulating the economy and creating jobs.

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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

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Ownership of or investment in cross-border enterprises in which the investor plays a direct managerial role

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Gender Gap

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Politically significant differences in social attitude and voting behavior between men and women

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Parliamentary Sovereignty

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The doctrine that grants the legislature the power to make or overturn any law and permits no veto or judicial review

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Parliamentary Democracy

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System of governance in which the chief executive is answerable to the legislature and may be dismissed by it

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Unitary State

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In contrast to a federal system, a system of government in which no powers are reserved for subnational units of government (such as states)

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Fusion of Powers

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A constitutional principle that merges the authority of branches of government, in contrast to the principle of separation of powers.

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Cabinet Government

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A system of government in which most executive power is held by the cabinet, headed by a prime minister

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Constitutional Monarchy

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System of government in which the head of state ascends by heredity but is limited in powers and constrained by the provisions of a constitution

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Semipublic agencies

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Agencies sanctioned by the state but without direct democratic oversight

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Nationalized Industries

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Nationalization of basic industries-- such as coal, iron, steel, gas, and electricity. This was a central objective of the Labour government's program. This is a semipublic agency.

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Nondepartmental Public Bodies (NDPBs)

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Administrative functions transferred to bodies that are typically part of the state in terms of function, funding, and appointment of staff, but operate at the arms of ministers. Semipublic agency.

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Quangos

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Acronym for quasi-non-governmental-organizations, the term used in Britain for nonelected bodies that are outside traditional government departments or local authorities. Take responsibility for specific functionas and can combine governmental and private sector expertise. AKA: NDPBs

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Scotland Yard

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London police HQ

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Judicial Review

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The prerogative of a high court to nullify actions by the executive and legislative branches of government that in its judgement violate the constitution. Britain's judiciary does not have this power.