Chapter 1 Self-check questions

. Which of the following definitions best describes how organizations in the third sector operate?

They always seek to combat poverty, famine, and charitable causes.

They are privately owned and seek to make a profit.

They belong to and should serve society as a whole.

They are independent from government but seek to serve the public good.

. Power is a central concern of politics, and the exercise of power remains competitive. How can certain groups be better placed to exercise power than others?

Through being equipped with social privilege or financial resources

Through being part of a minority category in society, like being female or BAME

Through being part of a political party

Through working for government

. In politics, there is sometimes an overlap between values and interests, which of the following best encapsulates this?

Reducing tax for people to keep more money, which puts those who are less financially fortunate at a disadvantage

Promoting equality whilst not having a coherent plan for ensuring targets of equality are met

Seeking British sovereignty through leaving the European Union

Smaller political parties compromising their values to be in a coalition government

. Whilst the history of the United Kingdom mostly entailed stable and smooth development, there have been periods of turbulence and abrupt change, especially for the monarchy. When was the English monarchy restored?

1639

1534

1688

1660

. What is the defining feature of the capitalist economic system?

It complements the political system of democracy.

It allows the wealthy to dominate politics, since inordinate wealth translates into greater power.

It relies on the freedom of private individuals and private companies to generate growth and production.

It is dominant worldwide.

. The three branches of state, the executive, legislature, and judiciary, each serve a distinct primary function. What is the primary role of the judiciary (the courts)?

Creating laws and laying down constitutional principles

Executing policy and administering public policy

Promoting the common good of society and constitutional principles

Interpreting and upholding the law

. What is the UK constitution composed of?

Acts of Parliament and historical conventions

Acts of Parliament and legal judgments

The Bill of Rights, Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949, and the Human Rights Act 1998 alone

A variety of written and unwritten sources, including some Acts, legal judgments, conventions, and historical principles

. The UK is a 'constitutional monarchy', what are the implications of this characterization?

That important public appointments are made by the monarch acting alone.

That the monarch retains certain historical powers, like the Royal Prerogative, encompassing, for instance, the power to go to war.

That the head of state in the United Kingdom is the monarch.

That the monarch does not interfere with party politics and only makes political decisions based on the advice of politicians.

. Which of the following features of institutional composition in the UK constitution is unique?

The majoritarian political system

The executive being directly chosen from the legislature

The constitutional monarchy

The separation of powers

. What is the status of constitutional documents like the Cabinet Manual and Ministerial Code?

They are legally binding.

They are directly enforceable by citizens.

They are comprehensive.

They guide the conduct of ministers and public servants alike, but cannot be directly enforced.

. Which of the following best explains the constitutional significance of the Human Rights Act 1998?

It gives the courts powers to review the use of domestic legislation for its compatibility with European convention rights.

It gives the courts powers to strike down domestic legislation for not being compatible with rights enshrined in the European Convention.

It gives UK citizens powers to take the UK government to court for violating rights enshrined in the European Convention.

It was the first time that human rights were ever introduced into UK law.

. Recent events in political history have called into question how effectively the UK is governed, and whether democratic principles are adequately protected. Which of the following recent events has cast doubt on the presence of political equality?

Brexit

The Iraq

The Windrush Scandal

The Financial Crisis

. How do direct and representative democracy differ?

In a representative democracy, people are responsible with governing themselves.

They entail different ways of engaging with political decisions and of choosing those in government.

In a direct democracy, people vote for politicians who govern on their behalf.

Representative democracies are the only systems that can have legislative sovereignty.

. Which of the following is an argument for codifying the UK constitution?

It would give unelected judges the power to resolve constitutional disputes.

Many aspects of the UK constitution need reform and codification would reopen this question.

It would create ambiguity and make public authorities think twice before acting in an emergency or crisis.

Written constitutions provide greater protection for and clarity of fundamental principles and civil liberties.

. Why can codifying the constitution be problematic for the UK's doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty?

Because parliamentary decisions would be reviewable in courts.

Because the courts would have to enforce rights.

Because it places constraints on Parliament's law-making abilities at any one time, and in turn, its 'sovereignty'.

Because the separation of powers would mean that the cabinet would no longer be selected from Parliament.

Chapter 1 Self-check questions

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