6th Chapter Flashcards
What is the meaning of the words “Never Believe Anything Until It’s Been Officially Denied?
It is a joke from a diary, Duncan and Eric are sure Jim wants to be Prime Minister when he implies that he doesn’t
What indicates a lack of enthusiasm for politicians of Britain?
General ignorance of who they are
Can you think of any TV political satire popular in Britain in the 80s and 90s? (name 2 titles)
Yes, Prime Minister
What was the affair surrounding the book Spycatcher?
British governments do not like public revelations of their activities (Spycatcher were the memoirs of an MI6 agent)
What shows a British high respect for the law?
Tax evasion is not very often
Is there a tendency in Britain towards a lack of regulation or an excess of regulation?
Lack of regulation
Is it currently compulsory for British citizens to have identity cards?
No
Are British citizens obliged to carry identification with them?
No
What is the traditional assumption about the relationship in Britain between the individual and the state?
That both should leave each other alone as much as possible
What are and what are not the duties of the individual towards the state in the UK?
DUTIES:
- not breaking the law
- paying taxes
NOT DUTIES:
- voting at elections
- registering a change of address with a government authority
What does it mean that Britain is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy?
Country governed by a king or queen who accepts the advice of a parliament
Country whose government is controlled by a parliament elected by the people
Compared to other countries, is there more or less participation in Britain by ordinary citizens in governing and lawmaking?
Less
What was the only countrywide referendum in British history on and when did it take place?
Whether the country should stay in the European Community, in 1975
What is the nature of the UK constitution in contrast with other countries (what is meant by the constitution in the UK and in other countries)?
In other countries people have referendums in which they can vote “yes” or “no” on particular proposals
In Britain, constitution means people choose who is to govern the country and let them go with it
How can the British party system be described (in 3 words)
Two-party system
Which are the three main political parties in the UK, what are their political outlooks and who are their voters?
Conservative party
Right of centre
- reduce income tax
- minimal government interference in the economy
V: Richer sections of society plus a large minority of the working classes
Labour party
Left of centre
- more government involvement in the economy
- providing full social services
V: Working class plus a small middle-class intelligentsia
Liberal Democratic party
Centre or slightly left
- greater unification with the EU
- emphasis on environment
V: From all classes, but more from middle class
Has Britain a tradition of single-party or coalition governments?
Single-party
Because of a tendency towards the informal/unofficial style of politics, the House of Commons used to be called:
“The most exclusive club in London”
Where is the seat of the Parliament of the UK? (name of the building and its alternative name)
The Palace of Westminster, alternative name - The House of Commons
How does the television advertising of political parties work in Britain?
Each party is given a strict amount of time
What is the “pairing system” in the UK parliament?
MP of one party is “paired” with an MP of another party, when they would vote on opposite sides, they dont even show up, they dont waste time like this and can work instead
When was the Labour party formed and which party did it replace as the other main party in the UK?
Beginning of the twentieth century, it replaced the Liberal Party
What is the formal title of the leader of the strongest opposition party in the UK?
“Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition”
The cabinet that the leader of the strongest opposition party forms is called:
Shadow cabinet
