U.K.

Question 1

Great Britain

Answer 1

England, Scotland, and Wales – also shorthand for the United Kingdom

Question 2

United Kingdom

Answer 2

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

64 million – roughly California and Texas combined

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

64 million – roughly California and Texas combined

Question 5

Size

Answer 5

About the size of Michigan

Question 6

Sequence of Great Britain Creation

Answer 6

Wales and England were unified in 16th Century. Scotland joined in 1707.

Question 7

Magna Carta

Answer 7

1215 - Latin for “Great Charter.” Statement of the rights of a community inspired by the arbitrary abuses of royal power by King John. It has inspired constitutions around the world.

Question 8

Civil Wars of 1640s

Answer 8

Several wars over religion and governance that ended with a brief period without a monarchy led by Oliver Cromwell.

Question 9

Last Catholic King

Answer 9

James II (1688) followed by the protestants William and Mary (as in William and Mary University)

Question 10

Beginning of British Empire

Answer 10

With the industrial revolution, Britain sold the vast majority of its goods overseas while relying on imported raw materials. Because overseas trade was so vital to Britain, they secured markets around the world. By 1870 British trade represented 25% of world trade and by 1900 Queen Victoria ruled an empire that included 25% of the world’s population and direct rule over 50 countries, including India and Nigeria, giving them hegemonic power.

Question 11

Hegemonic Power

Answer 11

The influence of a state to control alliances and international order.

Question 12

Voting Rights

Answer 12

In 1820 only 5% of population could vote. Several legislative acts increased that to nearly all men and women over 30 by 1918.

Question 13

Economy During WWI

Answer 13

State involvement increased dramatically and remained active causing friction with trade unions that wanted more worker control over production. This contradicted the traditional British policy of laissez-faire.

Question 14

Laissez-faire

Answer 14

from the French meaning “to let do.” It refers to a policy of minimal government interference of economic markets – minimal regulation.

Question 15

Devolution

Answer 15

Transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially from a central government to a local or regional administration.

Question 16

Devolved Powers

Answer 16

The legislative and executive powers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Question 17

Benefit of Devolution

Answer 17

Decision making moves closer to the citizens and is more democratic.

Question 18

How long has the U.K. had devolution?

Answer 18

1997 for Scotland and Wales, 1998 for Northern Ireland

Question 19

How many total legislatures/executives are there in the U.K.?

Answer 19

4 (U.K., Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)

Question 20

How Does it Work?

Answer 20

The different legislatures and executives have to communicate with each other to make sure they don’t contradict each other in a way that would be unsustainable.

Question 21

Reserved powers

Answer 21

Powers reserved for the main U.K. parliament in London that applies to the entirety of the U.K.

Question 22

Collectivism

Answer 22

Consensus in politics after WWII that governments should work together to narrow the gap between rich and poor and provide for basic necessities.

Question 23

Welfare State

Answer 23

A set of public policies designed to provide for citizens’ needs through direct or indirect provision of pensions, health care, education, unemployment insurance, and assistance to the poor.

Question 24

New Labour’s Third Way

Answer 24

Effort to modernize Britain’s Labour party to build a coalition of voters among Thatcherites (traditional conservatives who voted for Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s) and traditional Labour Party voters (blue collar workers and union members).

Question 25

Hung Parliament

Answer 25

Outcome after a general election in which no single party holds a majority in parliament (the British parliament typically has multiple parties represented instead of just two like in the U.S.

Question 26

Big Society

Answer 26

Political effort following hung parliament in 2010 in which partnership between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats (not the same as labour) tried to blend their objectives (Conservative belief of dynamism of free markets with Liberal Democratic belief of decentralization.

Question 27

Brexit

Answer 27

2016 referendum about leaving the European Union

Question 28

Special Relationship

Answer 28

Unofficial term coined by Winston Churchill to describe relationship between the U.K. and the U.S.

Question 29

dirigiste

Answer 29

Policy in which government takes direct responsibility for economic policy (applies to countries like France, no the U.K.)