Why is the British constitution described as uncodified?
Its rules are not contained in one authoritative document.
What types of sources does the British constitution include?
Statutes, common law, conventions, authoritative opinions, and the royal prerogative.
In which year was the Magna Carta issued?
1215
Why is the Magna Carta significant in UK history?
It contributed to the historical development of rights in the UK.
Name one significant document enacted in 1689 related to UK constitutional rights.
The Bill of Rights.
What principle defines Parliamentary sovereignty in the UK?
Parliament is the supreme law-making authority.
What distinguishes the House of Commons from the House of Lords?
The House of Commons has elected MPs, the House of Lords has unelected or appointed peers.
How does Parliament scrutinise the executive?
Through debate, legislation, committees, opposition activity, and grievance redress.
Why is government influence over Parliament strengthened?
Because party discipline enables government to outvote opposition and control committees.
What role do civil servants have in Select Committees?
Their appearances before Select Committees are controlled by the government.
Who controls committee membership in Parliament?
Committee membership is largely controlled by the Whips' offices.
What is collective responsibility in the UK Cabinet?
Cabinet ministers must publicly support agreed government policy or resign.
Who must publicly support agreed government policy under collective responsibility?
Cabinet ministers.
What does the core executive include in the UK government?
The Prime Minister, cabinet, and other central institutions involved in policy making.
What is judicial review in the UK context?
It is the process where courts assess if public authorities acted lawfully and within powers.
What does devolution mean in the UK?
It is the transfer of powers from the UK government to elected bodies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
What distinguishes direct democracy from representative democracy?
Direct democracy lets citizens decide political questions themselves.
Who decides political questions in representative democracy?
Elected politicians decide on behalf of citizens.
What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 initiate in the UK?
It began a major process of change in suffrage development.
What do majoritarian electoral systems tend to reward?
The party with the most concentrated support.
What do proportional electoral systems seek to distribute?
Seats more closely according to votes.
Which election year is selected for detailed study alongside one before and after it?
1997 general election.
What distinguishes insider pressure groups from outsider pressure groups?
Insider groups have established access to government, outsiders do not.
How do outsider pressure groups generally influence government?
They rely on public campaigning.
What is Federalism in the US Constitution?
A division of governmental authority between national and state governments.
What do checks and balances do in the US government?
They allow each branch to limit the power of the others.
Which two chambers together form the US Congress?
The House of Representatives and the Senate.
What are the three main functions of the US Congress?
Legislative, oversight, and power-of-the-purse functions.
What are presidential formal powers?
Enumerated or inherent constitutional powers.
What are examples of presidential informal powers?
Agenda-setting, party leadership, and world leadership.
What is judicial review?
The Supreme Court's power to assess constitutionality of laws and actions.
What power does the Supreme Court have regarding laws?
To assess their constitutionality through judicial review.
Which Supreme Court case was a landmark ruling in 1954?
Brown v Topeka Board of Education.
How are US presidential candidates selected before the general election?
Through primaries and caucuses.
What follows primaries and caucuses in US presidential candidate selection?
National nominating conventions.
What is the Electoral College in US elections?
A system where presidential electors determine the election winner.
What do promotional groups advance compared to interest groups?
Promotional groups advance broad causes.
What do interest groups represent compared to promotional groups?
Interest groups represent particular members or sectors.
What are Political Action Committees and Super PACs in the USA?
They are significant mechanisms of electoral finance and pressure-group influence.
Test your knowledge with 31 questions on UK, USA and Political Ideologies.
1. Why is the British constitution described as uncodified?
2. Which principle makes Parliament the supreme law-making authority in the United Kingdom?
Review the complete course in the study sheet for UK, USA and Political Ideologies.
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