Question 1

Why is the United Kingdom's political system an unlikely candidate for coalition government? Briefly explain why a significant increase in support for third parties in the 2015 elections (Scottish National Party (SNP) and United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) in particular) did not translate into seats in Parliament.

Accepted Answer

A good answer will note that coalition government (lack of a majority party) is rare in plurality SMD electoral systems (or "first past the post") because it strongly favors a two-party system.Third parties gained considerably more support between 2010 and 2015 in the aggregate but this increased support was concentrated in a small number of districts (high levels of SNP support in Scotland,e.g.) or the increased support was diffused throughout districts (UKIP) where they were unable to win pluralities.

Question 2

Local government in the United Kingdom

Accepted Answer

A)   is constitutionally protected.
B)   does not exist at any level.
C)   is led by appointed rather than elected officials.
D)   has formal powers only when granted by the central government.E) A) and C)
F) B) and C)

Question 3

Which of the following statements about British foreign relations is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)   The United Kingdom retains a relatively small army compared to its Western European counterparts.
B)   Since the end of World War II,the United States has counted on the United Kingdom as its most dependable ally.
C)   Most Britons have supported the idea of full participation in a stronger EU.
D)   The United Kingdom identifies itself with continental Europe far more strongly than it does with partners across the Atlantic.E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 4

The Labour Party's devolution reforms of 1999 are best described as

Accepted Answer

A)   an effort to encourage Scotland,Wales,and Northern Ireland to seek independence.
B)   turning over some central governmental power to regional legislatures in Scotland,Wales,and Northern Ireland.
C)   asserting more power for central government and blocking attempts at independence among Scotland,Wales,and Northern Ireland.
D)   an increase in the number of parliamentary districts in the regions of Scotland,Wales,and Northern Ireland.E) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 5

Which branch of government instituted reforms in 1999 to reduce the number of "hereditary peers," or members of the aristocracy,from positions of power?

Accepted Answer

A)   House of Lords
B)   judiciary
C)   cabinet
D)   regional legislaturesE) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 6

Describe the similarities that exist between Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher,despite Thatcher being a Conservative and Blair a Labourite.

Accepted Answer

A good answer will discuss how Blair and...

Question 7

In 1998,violence in Northern Ireland was largely ended by

Accepted Answer

A)   a military intervention by the Irish Republic.
B)   the Catholic victory in the civil war.
C)   the Good Friday Agreement.
D)   the Protestant victory in the civil war.E) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 8

Which of the following statements accurately describes results of the 2015 elections as they relate to the smaller British parties?

Accepted Answer

A)   The SNP demonstrated surprising strength in the 2015 election,nearly sweeping all of Scotland's 59 seats in Parliament.
B)   The United Kingdom Independence Party won increased support for its anti-EU platform,but it still holds only five seats in Parliament.
C)   The showing of the Liberal Democratic Party made the best case in a half century for the viability of a three-party system.
D)   The Liberal Democrats,who had maintained a coalition government with the Conservatives,were able to earn greater support by riding on the popularity of the Conservative Party in the 2014 elections.E) None of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 9

is a system based on local customs and precedent,and serves as the basis for contemporary legal systems in the United Kingdom (except Scotland) .

Accepted Answer

A)   Celtic law
B)   Code law
C)   Common law
D)   Informal lawE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 10

The Conservative Party is also known as the

Accepted Answer

A)   Whigs.
B)   Reds.
C)   Backbenchers.
D)   Tories.E) C) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 11

Which term best describes the United Kingdom's political regime?

Accepted Answer

A)   authoritarian
B)   majoritarian
C)   oligarchy
D)   corporatistE) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 12

The SNP's ability to win the 2007 Scottish regional elections resulted in part from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   Scottish support for Blair's Iraq policy
B)   the Labour Party's refusal to devolve power to Scotland
C)   economic revival in Scotland
D)   the promise by the EU of membership for an independent ScotlandE) A) and B)
F) A) and D)

Question 13

Which of the following accurately lists two results of the 2017 "snap" parliamentary elections in the UK?

Accepted Answer

A)   the first coalition government involving the Scottish National Party and a major party; a dramatic reduction in popular support for the Labour Party
B)   a rise in the popular vote for the UKIP to 13 percent; the taking of ten seats in Parliament by the UKIP
C)   the replacement of David Cameron as the prime minister and Conservative Party leader; a general popular acceptance of the previous government's austerity measures
D)   a net loss of seats in Parliament for the Conservatives; the return to a "hung parliament"E) B) and C)
F) A) and C) D

Question 14

What type of social division or identity is most salient in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

A)   ethnic
B)   religious
C)   class-based
D)   regionalE) B) and C)
F) A) and C)

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of Britain's use of the single-member district (SMD)  electoral system?

Accepted Answer

A)   It strengthens democratic rule.
B)   It encourages the strength of smaller parties,which results in more coalition governments.
C)   It supports the dominance of the Labour and Conservative parties.
D)   It weakens the regional concentration of smaller parties.E) A) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 16

What does it mean for the United Kingdom's political regime to be majoritarian? What about the structural relationship among the legislature,judiciary,and executive encourages majoritarianism,and what effect has it had on electoral politics in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will specify that a majori...

Question 17

The current mayor of London,notable for being the first nonwhite and Muslim mayor of a major Western capital,is

Accepted Answer

A)   Sadiq Khan.
B)   Boris Johnson.
C)   Ken Livingstone.
D)   Nigel Farage.E) All of the above
F) A) and B) A

Question 18

Which of the following descriptions of the UK prime minister is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Prime ministers are frequently removed by votes of no confidence.
B)   Prime ministers are elected to a maximum term of ten years.
C)   Prime ministers are responsible for maintaining the support of their fellow MPs.
D)   Prime ministers largely cede diplomatic responsibilities to the head of state.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 19

The English Civil War resulted in a victory for

Accepted Answer

A)   Catholic supporters.
B)   the monarchy.
C)   supporters of Parliament.
D)   peasant laborers.E) All of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 20

Which of the following statements best describes the Third Way of the Labour Party today?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is a means of governing with a very slim majority that requires courting votes from the opposition.
B)   It involves a frequent coalition government between the Labour Party and the Green Party.
C)   It represents devolution to regional governments in order to quell nationalist sentiment.
D)   It is a moderate compromise between the ideological right and the left of moderate free-market policies and ambitious constitutional reform.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Exam 2: United Kingdom

Local government in the United Kingdom

Correct Answer
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Which of the following statements about British foreign relations is accurate?

Correct Answer
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The Labour Party's devolution reforms of 1999 are best described as

Correct Answer
verified

Which branch of government instituted reforms in 1999 to reduce the number of "hereditary peers," or members of the aristocracy,from positions of power?

Correct Answer
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Describe the similarities that exist between Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher,despite Thatcher being a Conservative and Blair a Labourite.

Correct Answer
verified
A good answer will discuss how Blair and...
View Answer

In 1998,violence in Northern Ireland was largely ended by

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following statements accurately describes results of the 2015 elections as they relate to the smaller British parties?

Correct Answer
verified

is a system based on local customs and precedent,and serves as the basis for contemporary legal systems in the United Kingdom (except Scotland) .

Correct Answer
verified

The Conservative Party is also known as the

Correct Answer
verified

Which term best describes the United Kingdom's political regime?

Correct Answer
verified

The SNP's ability to win the 2007 Scottish regional elections resulted in part from which of the following?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following accurately lists two results of the 2017 "snap" parliamentary elections in the UK?

Correct Answer
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D

What type of social division or identity is most salient in the United Kingdom?

Correct Answer
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Which of the following is a characteristic of Britain's use of the single-member district (SMD) electoral system?

Correct Answer
verified

What does it mean for the United Kingdom's political regime to be majoritarian? What about the structural relationship among the legislature,judiciary,and executive encourages majoritarianism,and what effect has it had on electoral politics in the United Kingdom?

Correct Answer
verified
A good answer will specify that a majori...
View Answer

The current mayor of London,notable for being the first nonwhite and Muslim mayor of a major Western capital,is

Correct Answer
verified
A

Which of the following descriptions of the UK prime minister is accurate?

Correct Answer
verified

The English Civil War resulted in a victory for

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following statements best describes the Third Way of the Labour Party today?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 2: United Kingdom

Local government in the United Kingdom

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements about British foreign relations is accurate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Labour Party's devolution reforms of 1999 are best described as

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which branch of government instituted reforms in 1999 to reduce the number of "hereditary peers," or members of the aristocracy,from positions of power?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Describe the similarities that exist between Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher,despite Thatcher being a Conservative and Blair a Labourite.

Correct AnswerverifiedA good answer will discuss how Blair and...View AnswerShow Answer

In 1998,violence in Northern Ireland was largely ended by

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements accurately describes results of the 2015 elections as they relate to the smaller British parties?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

is a system based on local customs and precedent,and serves as the basis for contemporary legal systems in the United Kingdom (except Scotland) .

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Conservative Party is also known as the

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which term best describes the United Kingdom's political regime?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The SNP's ability to win the 2007 Scottish regional elections resulted in part from which of the following?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following accurately lists two results of the 2017 "snap" parliamentary elections in the UK?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

What type of social division or identity is most salient in the United Kingdom?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a characteristic of Britain's use of the single-member district (SMD) electoral system?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does it mean for the United Kingdom's political regime to be majoritarian? What about the structural relationship among the legislature,judiciary,and executive encourages majoritarianism,and what effect has it had on electoral politics in the United Kingdom?

Correct AnswerverifiedA good answer will specify that a majori...View AnswerShow Answer

The current mayor of London,notable for being the first nonwhite and Muslim mayor of a major Western capital,is

Correct AnswerverifiedA

Which of the following descriptions of the UK prime minister is accurate?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The English Civil War resulted in a victory for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements best describes the Third Way of the Labour Party today?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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A good answer will discuss how Blair and...
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D

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A good answer will specify that a majori...
View Answer

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A

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