18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
Constitution(tap to reveal)- The set of fundamental rules that determine how a country is governed, where power lies, and what rights citizens have.
Administrative devolution(tap to reveal)- Transferring the running of policies to a regional body without giving it the power to change laws.
Asymmetrical devolution(tap to reveal)- Different parts of the UK having different levels of devolved power - Scotland has more powers than Wales.
Authoritative works(tap to reveal)- Important books and texts, such as Erskine May, that are treated as reliable guides to how the constitution operates.
Banking union(tap to reveal)- When a group of countries share the same rules and institutions for overseeing their banks, so that a banking crisis in one country does not spread to the rest.
Barnett formula(tap to reveal)- The formula deciding how much money Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get from the UK government.
Bill of rights(tap to reveal)- A document listing fundamental rights that the state must protect. In the UK, the Human Rights Act serves this function.
Common law(tap to reveal)- Law developed by judges through their decisions in court cases, rather than by Parliament passing legislation.
Constituent (rules)(tap to reveal)- The most fundamental rules of a political system that set out how the state is organised and what it can do, which are distinct from ordinary laws.
Constitutional convention(tap to reveal)- An unwritten rule that politicians are expected to follow even though it has no legal force.
Constitutional monarchy(tap to reveal)- A monarchy where the king or queen has only ceremonial powers - all real decisions are made by elected politicians.
Constitutional reform(tap to reveal)- Planned changes to the rules and structures that govern how a country is run.
Control order (counter-terrorism)(tap to reveal)- A legal power that allowed the government to restrict the movements and activities of suspected terrorists without putting them on trial.
Convention (constitutional)(tap to reveal)- An unwritten rule of how government is supposed to work that is followed by convention and political expectation rather than by law.
Conventions(tap to reveal)- Unwritten political rules and traditions that are generally followed, even though they are not legally enforceable.
Council of Ministers (EU)(tap to reveal)- The EU body where government ministers from each member country meet to make laws and decisions. Different ministers attend depending on the topic being discussed.
Counter-terrorism measures(tap to reveal)- Laws and security powers designed to detect, prevent and respond to terrorism, such as surveillance, powers of arrest and listing banned organisations.
Crown in Parliament(tap to reveal)- The idea that sovereignty belongs to Parliament as a whole - King, Commons and Lords together.