Elections

Question 1

The British prime minister is not elected as prime minister but as a member of Parliament from a single constituency (electoral district). True or False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The British Parliament has a maximum life of five years that is fixed to assure greater continuity and accountability. True or False

Answer 2

True*

Question 3

The problem for the Lib Dems in the 2010 elections was Nick Clegg, a poorly prepared, boring personality that could not effectively debate let alone articulate clear ideas. True or False

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A change to proportional representation in the British electoral system is strongly supported by the Labour Party, believing that minor parties are being seriously underrepresented and short-changed by the current system. True or False

Answer 4

A

Question 5

Despite the general trend of increased representation of women and minorities, they remain substantially underrepresented in Parliament. True or False

Answer 5

True

Question 6

In the election of 2010, the Conservatives had a poor showing in Scotland with Labour showing significant strength. True or False

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Thatcherism considered individual property rights more important than the social rights claimed by all citizens in the welfare state. True or False

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Both New Labour and the Conservative-led coalition government in Britain have been tough on unions, especially in an environment where many argue a need to cut public spending. True or False

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Ethnicity, intra-UK territorial attachments, Europeanization, and globalization are complicating national identity in Britain. True or False

Answer 9

True

Question 10

A situation after an election when no single party comprises a majority in the Commons: a) Polarized Parliament, b) Veto Sanction, c) Hung Parliament, d) Neutered Assembly.

Answer 10

c) Hung Parliament

Question 11

What is the average size of a British single constituency (electoral district) as of 2010? a) 68,000 registered voters, b) 155,000 registered voters, c) 357,000 registered voters, d) 1,057,000 registered voters.

Answer 11

a) 68,000 registered voters

Question 12

Traditionally, what is the maximum term of an elected British Parliament? a) 4 years, b) 5 years, c) 6 years, d) unlimited.

Answer 12

b) 5 years

Question 13

In the British system, election to the Commons is based on a winner-take-all system called: a) proportional representation, b) party caucus vote, c) an open primary, d) single-member plurality system.

Answer 13

d) single-member plurality system.

Question 14

A parliamentary system where the number of seats a party receives in the legislature is a consequence of the percentage of votes it received in a national election: a) dual representation, b) proportional representation, c) at-large distribution, d) popular adjustment.

Answer 14

b) proportional representation

Question 15

Why does a winner-take-all system tend toward stable single-party government? a) it allows minor parties to have a significant voice in government, b) it assures that political parties do not have too much influence, c) it may exaggerate the size of victory of the major party and minimize the influence of lesser, third parties, d) it develops an effective consensus by giving access and a voice to all political parties in the cabinet.

Answer 15

c) it may exaggerate the size of victory of the major party and minimize the influence of lesser, third parties

Question 16

In spite of the fact that the Liberal Democrats won roughly two-thirds of the votes received by the Conservatives in the election of 2010, how many seats did they receive out of the roughly 640 seat Commons? a) 57 seats, b) 79 seats, c) 159 seats, d) 200 seats.

Answer 16

a) 57 seats

Question 17

If no candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, then second-preference votes of the candidate who finished last are redistributed, and the process is continued until a candidate achieves a majority: a) equitable plurality, b) unit rule, c) popular distribution, d) alternative vote.

Answer 17

d) alternative vote

Question 18

How many ethnic minorities were elected to Parliament in 2010, which was double the number of 2005? a) 15, b) 19, c) 27, d) 38.

Answer 18

c) 27

Question 19

During the Thatcher era, the traditional values of “an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay” and solidarity among co-workers in industrial disputes were labeled: a) solvency, b) rigidities, c) inefficiencies, d) laziness.

Answer 19

b) rigidities

Question 20

What percent of the people who live in Britain are of African, African-Caribbean, or Asian descent? a) 8%, b) 12%, c) 17%, d) 21%

Answer 20

a) 8%

Question 21

What are the negative consequences of a winner-take-all electoral British system?

a) It raises questions about representation and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ because a close second place in a 	constituency (or district) is simply a \_\_\_\_\_.
b) The system reduces the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, with diffuse pockets 	of support across the country.

Answer 21

a) fairness, loss

b) competitiveness, smaller parties

Question 22

The British political scientist Ivor Crewe has referred to the emergence of two two-party systems because of the following:

a) Competition between the Conservative and Labour parties dominates contests in English urban and _________ seats, and
b) _____________-_______ party competition dominates England’s _______ and southern seats.

Answer 22

a) northern

b) conservative-center, rural

Question 23

What trends in Britain have fragmented the political map and inspired a shift to the right?

a) the long years of economic \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ culminated in economic reversals in the standard 	of living for many Britons.
b) the historic bonds of occupational and social \_\_\_\_\_\_ grew weaker with union 	membership dropping.
c) a growing number of conservative think tanks and mass-circulation \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ worked 	hard to erode support for the welfare state.
d) new \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ such as feminism, antinuclear activism, and 	environmentalism, challenged basic tenets of British political culture.

Answer 23

a) decline
b) class
c) newspapers
d) social movements