Lecture 3: United Kingdom

A set of flashcards summarizing the key concepts, historical events, political structures, and socio-economic factors related to the United Kingdom, as discussed in Lecture 3.

What is the significance of the Magna Carta of 1215?

It pledged to respect the rights of the aristocracy.

What was established by the Bill of Rights in 1688?

It codified the organization of elections and guaranteed freedom of speech and assembly.

What did the Treaty of Union in 1707 accomplish?

Scotland became a part of the UK.

During which period did the Industrial Revolution occur, impacting British society?

1750-1850.

What did the Acts of Union in 1800 accomplish?

It unified Ireland with Great Britain.

What did the Reform Act of 1832 do?

It extended suffrage to a larger portion of the population.

What happened in 1921 regarding Ireland?

Ireland gained independence, except for Northern Ireland.

What was the primary religious cleavage in the UK as influenced by Henry VIII?

The Anglican Church vs the Catholic Church, particularly in Northern Ireland.

How did class cleavages develop in British politics?

They emerged from the industrial revolution and were politically relevant after the extension of suffrage.

What major demographic difference exists between the southern and northern parts of the UK?

The south-east is wealthier than the northern/western parts.

What system is the UK parliament based on?

Parliamentary majoritarianism.

What does ‘Westminster-Whitehall’ represent?

It embodies the essence of majority rule and parliamentary sovereignty.

What electoral system does the House of Commons use?

Single-member districts with first-past-the-post plurality.

What law was passed in 2011 regarding parliamentary terms?

Fixed-term law that specified a 5-year term for parliament.

How many members are in the House of Commons?

650 members.

What are the two main types of parties that dominate UK politics?

Labour Party and Conservative Party.

What is the role of the House of Lords?

To discuss and review legislation passed by the House of Commons.

What is unique about the Prime Minister's power in the UK?

The Prime Minister tends to be very dominant with few checks on executive power.

What was the outcome of the 2011 Alternative Vote Referendum?

The proposal to switch to the alternative vote system was rejected.

What does the term ‘devolution’ refer to in the context of Northern Ireland?

It refers to the transfer of power to the Northern Ireland Assembly as per the Good Friday Agreement.

What did the 1998 Scotland Act achieve?

It created a parliament for Scotland.

What major question arose from the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

Whether Scotland should become an independent nation.

What was the significance of the Good Friday Agreement?

It was a peace deal that established power sharing in Northern Ireland.

What was the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland?

It raised concerns about borders between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

What demographic factors influenced voting behavior in Brexit?

Age and education; younger and more educated voters tended to favor remaining in the EU.

How does affective polarization differ from ideological polarization?

Affective polarization relates to people's attitudes toward each other, while ideological polarization relates to political beliefs.

What was the common sentiment towards Brexit according to opinion polls?

Most of the population believed it was a mistake.

What challenge did Brexit pose to the relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland?

It threatened to re-establish a border between the two.

In what year was the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) established?

2009.

How did the legislative power of the House of Lords change after its establishment?

It mainly reviews and discusses laws passed by the House of Commons without the power to legislate independently.

What is a characteristic of the Conservative Party's ideology?

Pragmatic conservatism, free market liberalism, and traditional values.

What distinguishes the Labour Party's approach to politics?

Its focus on social-democracy and the welfare state.