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Questions and Answers
What economic philosophy heavily influenced Britain's policy starting in the 1980s?
What economic philosophy heavily influenced Britain's policy starting in the 1980s?
Which sector was primarily responsible for the UK's economic growth prior to the 2008 recession?
Which sector was primarily responsible for the UK's economic growth prior to the 2008 recession?
What was the primary focus of the UK government under the Conservative-Liberal coalition starting in 2010?
What was the primary focus of the UK government under the Conservative-Liberal coalition starting in 2010?
What economic approach did Gordon Brown emphasize during his time as prime minister?
What economic approach did Gordon Brown emphasize during his time as prime minister?
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What characterized the postwar consensus in British economic policy?
What characterized the postwar consensus in British economic policy?
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What marked a significant shift in British macroeconomic policy after the 2008 recession?
What marked a significant shift in British macroeconomic policy after the 2008 recession?
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Which economic policy did Margaret Thatcher abandon in favor of monetarism?
Which economic policy did Margaret Thatcher abandon in favor of monetarism?
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What was one of the criticisms faced by the Conservative-Liberal coalition government's austerity measures?
What was one of the criticisms faced by the Conservative-Liberal coalition government's austerity measures?
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What event marked the last successful revolution in Britain?
What event marked the last successful revolution in Britain?
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Which of the following claims about parliamentary democracy is accurate?
Which of the following claims about parliamentary democracy is accurate?
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What was one major consequence of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?
What was one major consequence of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?
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What significant change did the Representation of the People Act of 1918 bring?
What significant change did the Representation of the People Act of 1918 bring?
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Which act first allowed some middle-class men to vote, increasing the population of voters?
Which act first allowed some middle-class men to vote, increasing the population of voters?
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What does the term 'hegemonic power' refer to in the context of Britain's global influence?
What does the term 'hegemonic power' refer to in the context of Britain's global influence?
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What is the primary focus of the laissez faire system implemented after World War II?
What is the primary focus of the laissez faire system implemented after World War II?
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What concept emerged after World War II aimed at providing basic necessities and narrowing the wealth gap?
What concept emerged after World War II aimed at providing basic necessities and narrowing the wealth gap?
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What was a key factor in Britain's capability to colonize a large part of the world?
What was a key factor in Britain's capability to colonize a large part of the world?
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Which party did Tony Blair lead from 1997 to 2007, modernizing it as 'New Labour'?
Which party did Tony Blair lead from 1997 to 2007, modernizing it as 'New Labour'?
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Which statement accurately describes the Church of England's status after the Glorious Revolution?
Which statement accurately describes the Church of England's status after the Glorious Revolution?
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What was one of the main challenges faced by Gordon Brown during his tenure as prime minister?
What was one of the main challenges faced by Gordon Brown during his tenure as prime minister?
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What was the outcome of the 2010 election that resulted in a coalition government?
What was the outcome of the 2010 election that resulted in a coalition government?
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Which ideology was David Cameron promoting upon becoming Conservative leader in 2005?
Which ideology was David Cameron promoting upon becoming Conservative leader in 2005?
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What was the main vision of the coalition government’s 'Big Society' initiative?
What was the main vision of the coalition government’s 'Big Society' initiative?
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Which of the following describes the relationship between Blair and Brown after Labour took office?
Which of the following describes the relationship between Blair and Brown after Labour took office?
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What effect did Brexit have on the UK's authority within the European Economic Community?
What effect did Brexit have on the UK's authority within the European Economic Community?
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Which regions in the UK have been granted certain legislative powers due to devolution?
Which regions in the UK have been granted certain legislative powers due to devolution?
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What is unique about the UK's cabinet government compared to systems with checks and balances?
What is unique about the UK's cabinet government compared to systems with checks and balances?
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What role does the Prime Minister play in relation to the cabinet?
What role does the Prime Minister play in relation to the cabinet?
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What is the primary function of the Permanent Secretary in a government department?
What is the primary function of the Permanent Secretary in a government department?
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Which of the following best describes the role of civil servants in the UK?
Which of the following best describes the role of civil servants in the UK?
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What concerns have arisen from the increasing influence of special advisers in the UK?
What concerns have arisen from the increasing influence of special advisers in the UK?
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What happened to nationalised industries in the UK during the late 20th century?
What happened to nationalised industries in the UK during the late 20th century?
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What is the primary function of the House of Lords?
What is the primary function of the House of Lords?
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Which statement accurately describes the power dynamics between Parliament and the executive?
Which statement accurately describes the power dynamics between Parliament and the executive?
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What is the composition of the House of Lords primarily characterized by?
What is the composition of the House of Lords primarily characterized by?
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What is a 'constituency' in the context of the UK Parliament?
What is a 'constituency' in the context of the UK Parliament?
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Which party traditionally represented manual workers in the UK?
Which party traditionally represented manual workers in the UK?
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How many members were in the House of Lords in 2024?
How many members were in the House of Lords in 2024?
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What role does the House of Commons serve in the UK Parliamentary system?
What role does the House of Commons serve in the UK Parliamentary system?
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What significant political event occurred in 1979 concerning the House of Commons?
What significant political event occurred in 1979 concerning the House of Commons?
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What significant shift did the Labour Party undergo under Tony Blair's leadership?
What significant shift did the Labour Party undergo under Tony Blair's leadership?
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What was a major challenge faced by the Conservative Party during Michael Howard's leadership?
What was a major challenge faced by the Conservative Party during Michael Howard's leadership?
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Which event prompted Theresa May to adjust the Conservative Party's stance?
Which event prompted Theresa May to adjust the Conservative Party's stance?
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What was a notable outcome for the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership in 2017?
What was a notable outcome for the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership in 2017?
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What was a primary focus of the Liberal Democrats after their formation in the 1980s?
What was a primary focus of the Liberal Democrats after their formation in the 1980s?
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What characterized the Liberal Democrats' success in the 2001 election?
What characterized the Liberal Democrats' success in the 2001 election?
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Which issue did David Cameron emphasize to modernize the Conservative Party?
Which issue did David Cameron emphasize to modernize the Conservative Party?
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What main challenge do third parties face in a two-party system like the UK?
What main challenge do third parties face in a two-party system like the UK?
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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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