What is Democracy?
Representatives of the people are elected in free and fair elections to make decisions and run the country on their behalf.
Republic
In a republic the head state is elected as well as the bodies that make the law.
Communism
A political system based on the socialist ideas of Marx and Lenin instead of private companies owning bodies such as the railways and banks, everything comes under the control of the state.
Monarchy
An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a single person- usually a king or queen - holds absolute, autocratic power.
A constitutional monarchy
A form of government in which a monarchy typically a king or queen acts the lead
Democracy separation of powers
Executive- government the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and other ministers who develop laws
Legislature- Parliament, members of the house of commons and house of Lords to debate proposed legislation and enact laws
Judiciary- judges who interpret and apply legislation in line with the intention of Parliament
How are laws made? (1st and 2nd steps)
Idea/proposal- a law starts as an idea, often from the government but sometimes from an MP or even public campaigns. This idea is written as a bill.
First reading- The bill is introduced and its title is read out- no debate yet.
How are laws made? (3rd and 4th steps)
Second reading- MP’s debate the main ideas of the bill, then they vote; if it passes it moves on.
Committee stage- a small group of MP’s examines the Bill line by line suggesting changes
How are laws made (5th, 6th and 7th)
Report and third reading- the bill goes back to all MP’s, they discuss the amendments and vote again
House of lords- the bill then goes to the house of Lords for another round of checking, debating and possibly more changes
Royal Assent- once both houses agree the bill goes to the king who formally approves it, it then becomes an official law
