Comparative politics Key Terms

Unwritten Constitution

A constitution that is not contained in a single written document but is made up of statutes, common law, conventions and historical documents.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (states or provinces).

Uncodified Constitution

A constitution that is not contained in a single written document but is made up of statutes, conventions, judicial decisions and historical documents.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess the constitutionality of legislation and executive actions.

Uncodified Constitution

A constitution that is not contained in a single written document but is made up of statutes, common law, and conventions, as in the UK.

Checks and Balances

A constitutional principle in which each branch of government has powers that can limit or influence the other branches, ensuring no single branch becomes dominant, as in the US.

Devolution

The statutory transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to regional governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Federalism

A constitutional system in which sovereignty is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, each with constitutionally protected powers.

Bicameralism

A legislative system with two separate chambers, such as the UK’s House of Commons and House of Lords, or the US’s House of Representatives and Senate.

Unicameralism

A legislative system with a single chamber; not applicable to the UK or US but useful for comparative analysis with other systems.

Prime Minister’s Questions

A weekly parliamentary session where the UK Prime Minister answers questions from MPs, serving as a key accountability mechanism.

National Emergencies Act

A US federal law that allows the President to declare a national emergency and activate emergency powers, subject to congressional oversight.

Prime Minister

The head of the UK government, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the House of Commons, and responsible for running the executive and maintaining parliamentary confidence.

President

The head of state and government in the US, elected by the Electoral College, who heads the executive branch and is subject to formal checks such as Senate confirmation, impeachment, and judicial review.

Prime Ministerial Accountability

The requirement that the UK Prime Minister remains answerable to Parliament, particularly the House of Commons, and must maintain its confidence to stay in office.

Presidential Executive Power

The set of powers granted to the US President by the Constitution, including appointment authority, veto power, and the ability to set the executive agenda, balanced by Congressional oversight.

Judicial review

The authority of courts to examine the validity of legislative and executive actions against constitutional or legal standards.

Judicial independence

The condition that judges are free from external influence, ensuring impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.

Judicial Appointments Commission

An independent body in the UK that recommends candidates for judicial office, ensuring a merit‑based selection process.

Judicial Review

The power of a court to assess the constitutionality of legislation or executive action and to invalidate it if it conflicts with the constitution.

Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Legislation that established the UK Supreme Court, separating it from the House of Lords and defining its jurisdiction.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 US Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.

Judicial Independence

The capacity of judges to make decisions free from external pressures, ensuring impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.

Judicial Appointment Commission

An independent body responsible for recommending candidates for judicial office, designed to promote merit‑based selection and reduce political influence.

First‑Past‑The‑Post (FPTP)

A majoritarian electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a single‑member constituency wins the seat.

Electoral College

An indirect voting mechanism in the United States where electors, allocated by state, formally elect the president.

Plurality system

An electoral system in which the candidate or party with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority.

Proportional representation

An electoral system that allocates seats in proportion to the share of votes each party receives, aiming for a more accurate reflection of voter preferences.

First‑past‑the‑post

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a single‑member constituency wins the seat, often leading to a two‑party system.

Electoral College

A constitutional body of electors who formally elect the President and Vice‑President of the United States, using a winner‑takes‑all rule in most states.