Chapter 2 Multiple Choice Questions

. What is Rational Choice Theory?

An approach in the social sciences that stresses collective choices based on ranking objectives based on their perceived utility. Groups act on the basis of these choices, when the benefits exceed costs.

An approach in the social sciences that stresses individual choices based on ranking objectives based on their perceived utility. Individuals act on the basis of these choices, when the benefits exceed costs.

An approach in politics that stresses long term choices based on ranking objectives based on their perceived long run utility. Individuals act on the basis of these choices, when the long run benefits exceed costs.

An approach in politics that stresses short term choices based on ranking objectives based on their perceived short run utility. Individuals act on the basis of these choices, when the short run benefits exceed costs.

. Which of the following are powers of a British prime minister?

Ability to oversee the operation of the civil service and its structure

Ability to call elections subject to the Elections Parliaments Act (1997)

Ability to conduct foreign policy and negotiate treaties

Ability to authorise military action subject to Parliamentary approval

. Which of the following are roles of the prime minister?

Chair cabinet

Head of security services

Leader of the political party

International leader

. Which political scientist claimed that 'the British prime minister is probably able to be more powerful inside his or her own government than any other head of government anywhere else in the democratic world'?

Harry Dawn (1992)

Peter Allen (1998)

Tom Jacobson (2001)

Anthony King (1991)

. Of the main ministerial offices which are ranked in the right order from most senior to least senior?

Prime minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Minister of State, Secretary of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Parliamentary Private Secretary

Prime minister, Minister of State, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Parliamentary Private Secretary

Prime minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State, Minister of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Parliamentary Private Secretary

The First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State, Minister of State, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Parliamentary Private Secretary

. In 2020, the Department for International Development (DFID) became the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This is an example of which prime ministerial power?

The power of being the Minister of the Civil Service

The power of being the Minister of the Cabinet

The power of being the Minister of the Ministers

The power of being the Minister of the International relations

. How do the roles of the prime minister differ from the powers of the prime minister?

Prime ministerial roles resemble powers but are more formally based. They occur because the prime minister is in a role through which decisions or information flows to whom others defer, giving the prime minister what can be called exclusive power.

Prime ministerial roles have no relationship with powers and are formally based. They occur because the prime minister is in a role through which decisions and information flows to whom others defer, giving the prime minister what can be called inner circle power.

Prime ministerial roles resemble powers but are more informally based. They occur because the prime minister is in a role through which decisions or information flows to whom others defer, giving the prime minister what can be called a network form of power.

Prime ministerial roles have no relationship with powers and are informally based. They occur because the prime minister is in a role through which decisions or information flows to whom others defer, giving the prime minister what can be called a reserved executive power.

. In his famous account of the British constitution, Bagehot (1873) claimed that it was not the prime minister who is the 'join' between the executive and legislature, but…

Ministers.

Whips.

Backbencher MPs.

Cabinet.

. The prime minister can be described as 'primus inter pares'. What does this mean?

First among peers

First among equals

First among politicians

First among cabinet

. What is meant by a 'core executive'?

A term used to describe the institutions and power relationships at the heart of government, extending beyond the prime minister and cabinet, to include personnel in key institutions proximate to the prime minister/cabinet. Decision making is characterised by complex interdependence, rather than a battle between prime minister and cabinet.

A term used to describe the institutions and power relationships at the heart of government, extending beyond the prime minister, to include the cabinet and personnel in key institutions. Decision making is mainly made by the prime minister but can be informed by cabinet and other political networks.

A term used to describe the institutions and power relationships at the heart of government, extending beyond government, to include personnel in key institutions proximate to the prime minister/cabinet. Decision making is characterised by complex interdependence, rather than a battle between government and the opposition party.

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