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Questions and Answers

What economic philosophy heavily influenced Britain's policy starting in the 1980s?

  • Keynesian Economics
  • Neoliberal Principles (correct)
  • Monetarism
  • Socialism

Which sector was primarily responsible for the UK's economic growth prior to the 2008 recession?

  • Construction Sector
  • Agricultural Sector
  • Industrial Sector
  • Service Sector (correct)

What was the primary focus of the UK government under the Conservative-Liberal coalition starting in 2010?

  • Deficit reduction through austerity (correct)
  • Stimulating economic growth through spending
  • Increasing taxes on corporations
  • Expanding public sector employment

What economic approach did Gordon Brown emphasize during his time as prime minister?

<p>Balancing budgets before increasing spending (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the postwar consensus in British economic policy?

<p>Nationalization of key industries (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What marked a significant shift in British macroeconomic policy after the 2008 recession?

<p>Shift towards fiscal responsibility and budget balancing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which economic policy did Margaret Thatcher abandon in favor of monetarism?

<p>Keynesianism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the criticisms faced by the Conservative-Liberal coalition government's austerity measures?

<p>Failure to increase tax revenues through infrastructure spending (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the last successful revolution in Britain?

<p>The Glorious Revolution of 1688 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following claims about parliamentary democracy is accurate?

<p>The legislature has the power to overturn any law. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one major consequence of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?

<p>It caused destabilizing social, economic, and political changes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Representation of the People Act of 1918 bring?

<p>Voting rights expanded to nearly all adult men and women over 30. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which act first allowed some middle-class men to vote, increasing the population of voters?

<p>The Reform Act of 1832 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hegemonic power' refer to in the context of Britain's global influence?

<p>Control over alliances and shaping of international order. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the laissez faire system implemented after World War II?

<p>Enforcement of contracts and property rights (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept emerged after World War II aimed at providing basic necessities and narrowing the wealth gap?

<p>The welfare state (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in Britain's capability to colonize a large part of the world?

<p>A powerful navy and expansion of international trade. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which party did Tony Blair lead from 1997 to 2007, modernizing it as 'New Labour'?

<p>Labour Party (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the Church of England's status after the Glorious Revolution?

<p>It remained as the official church of England. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main challenges faced by Gordon Brown during his tenure as prime minister?

<p>Unpopularity of the Iraq War (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 2010 election that resulted in a coalition government?

<p>A hung parliament (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ideology was David Cameron promoting upon becoming Conservative leader in 2005?

<p>Moderation and pragmatism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main vision of the coalition government’s 'Big Society' initiative?

<p>Empowering citizens to take control of local services (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the relationship between Blair and Brown after Labour took office?

<p>They became rivals after Blair's election (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect did Brexit have on the UK's authority within the European Economic Community?

<p>It reversed many limitations on the UK's authority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which regions in the UK have been granted certain legislative powers due to devolution?

<p>Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the UK's cabinet government compared to systems with checks and balances?

<p>It functions with a unified executive structure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Prime Minister play in relation to the cabinet?

<p>The PM wields substantial influence and must maintain majority support. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Permanent Secretary in a government department?

<p>To ensure the smooth operation of the department. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of civil servants in the UK?

<p>They assist in policy creation and implementation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concerns have arisen from the increasing influence of special advisers in the UK?

<p>They raise questions about the neutrality and impartiality of the civil service. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happened to nationalised industries in the UK during the late 20th century?

<p>They were privatised after years of operation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the House of Lords?

<p>To offer expertise and refine legislation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the power dynamics between Parliament and the executive?

<p>The balance of power has shifted from Parliament to the executive. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of the House of Lords primarily characterized by?

<p>Hereditary peers, life peers, and bishops. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'constituency' in the context of the UK Parliament?

<p>A geographical area represented by a single elected official. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which party traditionally represented manual workers in the UK?

<p>The Labour Party. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many members were in the House of Lords in 2024?

<p>804 members. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the House of Commons serve in the UK Parliamentary system?

<p>It has a limited legislative function but plays a key role in policy debate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant political event occurred in 1979 concerning the House of Commons?

<p>A government was successfully brought down by a defeat in the Commons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant shift did the Labour Party undergo under Tony Blair's leadership?

<p>Rebranded as 'New Labour' and became more moderate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a major challenge faced by the Conservative Party during Michael Howard's leadership?

<p>Electoral defeat leading to his resignation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event prompted Theresa May to adjust the Conservative Party's stance?

<p>The Brexit vote in 2016 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable outcome for the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership in 2017?

<p>Gained 30 seats surprising many (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary focus of the Liberal Democrats after their formation in the 1980s?

<p>Challenging the dominance of Labour and Conservative parties (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Liberal Democrats' success in the 2001 election?

<p>Winning 52 seats as a significant success (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which issue did David Cameron emphasize to modernize the Conservative Party?

<p>Social justice and poverty reduction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What main challenge do third parties face in a two-party system like the UK?

<p>Maintaining influence and visibility (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Parliament

A gathering of feudal barons, later gaining lawmaking power in Britain, particularly impacting Britain's power struggles and revolutions.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

Overthrew King James II, replacing him with William and Mary, establishing Protestantism, and changing Britain's relationship with its Church and leaders.

Parliamentary Democracy

A system where the head of government is accountable to the lawmaking body, and may be removed by it.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

The principle that a legislature has the authority to create or revoke laws, with no other body having the power to block their actions.

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Industrial Revolution

A period beginning in 18th-century Britain marked by large-scale factory production, causing significant changes in society and politics.

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British Hegemony

Britain's dominance in shaping international alliances and order, affecting the domestic policies of other nations.

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Reform Act of 1832

Gave voting rights to some middle-class men, increasing Britain's voting population.

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Representation of the People Act of 1867

Expanded the electorate to include more voters, though cities were still underrepresented.

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Franchise Act of 1884

Nearly doubled the number of voters in Britain.

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Representation of the People Act of 1918

Granted voting rights to nearly all adult men and women over 30, marking a major shift towards inclusivity in voting rights.

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Laissez-faire system

A system where the government has limited involvement in the economy, primarily focusing on enforcing contracts and protecting property rights. Private actors operate with minimal state intervention.

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Collectivist Consensus

A post-WWII political agreement focusing on reducing the gap between rich and poor and providing basic needs (welfare state).

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New Labour

A modernized version of the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, seeking a 'third way' between traditional Labour and Thatcherism.

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Third Way

A political approach aiming to combine elements of both left-wing and right-wing ideologies, rather than strictly adhere to one or the other.

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Hung Parliament

A situation where no single party wins a majority of seats in a parliament election requiring a coalition government or other agreements between multiple political factions.

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Big Society

A vision of empowering citizens to manage local services and initiatives, leading to greater community participation instead of reliance on centralized government.

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Welfare State

A system where the government provides social welfare programs and services to its citizens, such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits, aiming to meet basic needs and improve citizens' well-being.

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Neoliberal Influence

British economic policy, starting in the 1980s, was heavily influenced by neoliberal principles emphasizing minimal government intervention, free-market competition, and attracting foreign investment.

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Post-2008 Recession Focus

The 2008 recession shifted focus to balancing budgets and fiscal responsibility in the UK.

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Thatcherite Monetarism

Economic policy under Thatcher that abandoned Keynesianism, emphasizing controlling inflation and reduced government influence in the economy.

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2010 Coalition Austerity

The Conservative-Liberal coalition prioritized deficit reduction, cutting spending, and protecting essential services like health and education, a policy known as austerity.

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UK Economic Stability (Pre-2008)

The UK economy experienced relative stability and growth from the mid-1990s to the 2008 recession, driven by a strong service sector.

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Macroeconomic Policy

Policies aimed at shaping the overall economy, including targets like inflation and growth.

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Postwar Consensus

The post-WWII economic approach saw the government take ownership of key industries, focusing on full employment and stability, rooted in Keynesian principles.

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New Labour Adjustments (Brown)

Emphasis on economic stability, balancing budgets before increasing social spending, and improving workforce skills.

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UK Economy 2008 Impact

The global financial crisis highlighted vulnerabilities within the UK economy, prompting debate about global coordination.

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UK Unitary State

The UK is a country with a single government, though some powers are given to regional areas (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

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Devolution

Transfer of powers from central government to regional governments (Scotland, Wales, etc.).

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Fusion of Powers

The UK's government structure combines the legislative, executive, and judicial powers; the executive is part of Parliament.

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Cabinet Government

A system where the cabinet, headed by the PM, holds most of the executive power; collective decision-making is important.

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Prime Minister

The leader of the majority party in the UK Parliament, holding significant executive power.

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Cabinet

A group of ministers leading different government departments, supporting the Prime Minister.

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Permanent Secretary

The highest civil servant in a government department, ensuring efficient operations.

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Civil Servants

Non-political professionals who assist in government policy and legislation.

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Special Advisers

Political appointees advising the government on policy, raising concerns about neutrality.

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Nationalised Industries

State-owned industries, often privatized in the UK.

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Lack of Direct Parliamentary Involvement

The executive branch, particularly Whitehall, holds significant power in policymaking, while Parliament's direct role is limited.

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Bicameral

A two-house legislative structure, with the houses independent in their deliberations.

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House of Commons

The lower house of the UK Parliament with 650 members elected by constituencies.

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Constituency

An electoral area electing a single representative to Parliament

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Parliament's Primary Functions

Parliament passes laws, approves taxes, oversees government policies, and manages public finances.

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House of Lords

The upper house of the UK Parliament, primarily a revising body with limited power to block legislation.

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Labour Party

A political party in the UK that historically represented the interests of working-class citizens, especially manual laborers.

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Conservative Party

A political party in the UK historically associated with representing middle-class interests

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Labour Party Declining Class-Based Voting

The Labour Party, since the 1970s, has seen a reduction in voting based on social class, and the party's political structure has become more nuanced.

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Labour Party's Internal Divisions

The Labour Party has experienced conflicts between different internal groups, especially between trade union members and those involved in Parliament.

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New Labour (1980s-1990s)

Under Tony Blair, Labour adopted a more moderate, centrist approach, changing its public image.

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Ed Miliband's Leadership

After 2010, Ed Miliband attempted to steer Labour back to a more left-leaning position, but didn't fully succeed.

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Jeremy Corbyn's Leadership

Jeremy Corbyn led Labour from 2015 to a more definitively left side of the political spectrum.

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Conservative Party's History

The Conservative Party is a long-standing center-right party with roots in the 18th century.

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Conservative Party Issues Under Michael Howard

Under Michael Howard (2003-2005), the Conservative party struggled to compete against "New Labour" in British politics.

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David Cameron's Modernization

David Cameron modernized the Conservative party by changing their approach to address issues like social justice and poverty reduction

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Theresa May's Leadership

Theresa May as leader adjusted the Tory's focus in response to the Brexit vote, combining rightwing policies with left leaning ones.

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Liberal Democrats' Formation

The Liberal Democrats combined the Liberal and Social Democratic parties in the 1980s.

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Lib Dem 2000s Rise and 2001 Election

The Liberal Democrats gained influence in the 2000s, winning 52 seats in the 2001 election.

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Nick Clegg's Rejuvenation

Nick Clegg revived the Liberal Democrats in 2007 with focus on issues like civil liberties and outreach to citizens.

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Lib Dem Focus Post-Brexit

Post-Brexit, the Liberal Democrats increasingly focused on business growth and needs.

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Study Notes

Political System of the United Kingdom

  • Type: Parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy
  • History: Origins are subject to interpretation, but usually dated from the 17th century or earlier
  • Administrative Structure: Unitary state with a fusion of powers
  • Executive: Prime Minister (PM), answerable to the House of Commons, holding collective responsibility within the cabinet
  • Legislature: Bicameral, composed of the House of Commons (elected) and the House of Lords (unelected)
  • Judiciary: Independent, cannot judge legislation or conduct of government, the UK Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords as the final court of appeal in 2009
  • Party System: Two-party dominant (Labour and Conservative) with regional variations, including center parties and national parties in specific regions
  • Fusion of Powers: A constitutional principle that combines the authority of the governmental branches
  • Cabinet Government: A system of government where the cabinet, headed by the prime minister, holds most executive power
  • Constitutional Monarchy: A system where the head of state ascends through heredity, but power is limited and constrained by the constitution
  • Judicial Review: The ability of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws

History

  • 1650: Glorious Revolution, establishment of Parliament
  • 1750s: Industrial Revolution
  • 1832: Reform Act, expansion of voting rights
  • 1837-1901: Reign of Queen Victoria, height of British Empire
  • 1945-1979: Establishment of British welfare state, dismantling of the British Empire
  • 1973: Britain joins the European Economic Community
  • 1979-1990: Thatcher era
  • 1979-1990: Thatcher and the enterprise culture
  • 1997-2007: Blair government
  • 2001: Cooperation with the US in the war against terror
  • 2007: Brown becomes prime minister
  • 2010: Conservative-Liberal coalition government
  • 2014: Scotland votes against Scottish independence
  • 2016: Brexit referendum
  • 2016-present: Brexit implementation

Brexit

  • 2016 Referendum: 52% of voters chose to leave the European Union
  • Prime Minister Theresa May: Conservative leader who took office during Brexit negotiations
  • Impact: Brexit created both challenges and opportunities for the British economy, and posed other difficulties for the country

Economy

  • Neoliberal Influence: Shift towards minimal state intervention and free-market principles in economic policy, starting in the 1980s under Margaret Thatcher
  • Pre-2008 Landscape: Relatively stable growth, strong service sector, low inflation, and low unemployment
  • 2008 Recession: Global financial crisis highlighted UK's vulnerabilities
  • Coalition Government Austerity (2010): Focus on deficit reduction through spending cuts and tax adjustments

Parties

  • Tony Blair: Led the Labour Party, aimed to modernise the party
  • Gordon Brown: Became Prime Minister after Blair's departure, faced challenges and public anxiety over the Iraq War, but oversaw the economic stabilization during the Global Financial Crisis.
  • David Cameron: Conservative leader, modernizing the party, and repositioning the party to compete with the New Labour party
  • Theresa May: Conservative leader, dealt with the challenges of the Brexit process.
  • Jeremy Corbyn: Labour leader, took the party back further to the left.
  • Nick Clegg: Led the LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, gained some significant successes

Ongoing Challenges

  • Ethnic discrimination: Ethnic minorities continue to face discrimination
  • Gender Inequality: Women continue to face a persistent pay gap
  • Environmental challenges: Climate policy difficulties and environmental issues
  • Brexit: Difficulties in establishing new trade agreements and resolving the implications of leaving the European Union
  • Economic uncertainty: Implications of leaving the European Union and its effect on the UK economy.

Participation

  • Bicameral system: Two legislative houses: House of Commons and House of Lords
  • House of Commons: Lower house, directly elected representatives; 650 members
  • House of Lords: Upper house, not directly elected members

Political Culture

  • Immigration: Tensions and concerns relating to immigration and multiculturalism within the country.

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