POLITICS PAPER 2

What is a codified constitution?

A constitution contained within a single written document that is entrenched and difficult to change.

What is an uncodified constitution?

A constitution based on statutes, conventions, common law and authoritative works rather than a single document.

What is an advantage of a codified constitution?

It provides clarity and makes rights and constitutional rules easier to understand.

What is another advantage of a codified constitution?

It limits government power by clearly defining constitutional boundaries.

What is a disadvantage of a codified constitution?

It may be inflexible and difficult to adapt to changing circumstances.

What is another disadvantage of a codified constitution?

It may increase judicial power and reduce parliamentary sovereignty.

What is an advantage of the UK’s uncodified constitution?

It is flexible and can adapt to changing political circumstances.

What is another advantage of the UK’s uncodified constitution?

It preserves parliamentary sovereignty.

What is a disadvantage of the UK’s uncodified constitution?

It can be unclear because constitutional rules are spread across multiple sources.

What is another disadvantage of the UK’s uncodified constitution?

It may provide insufficient protection against executive dominance.

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

The principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority and can make or unmake any law.

What was the Human Rights Act 1998?

A constitutional reform incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

What was the Constitutional Reform Act 2005?

A reform that created the Supreme Court and strengthened the separation of powers.

What was the House of Lords Act 1999?

A reform that removed most hereditary peers from the House of Lords.

Why is the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 important?

It increased judicial independence from government.

What is the main function of the House of Commons?

To legislate, scrutinise government and represent constituents.

What is the main function of the House of Lords?

To revise legislation and scrutinise government actions.

What is legislative scrutiny?

The examination and questioning of government proposals and legislation.

What is a strength of the House of Commons?

It is democratically elected and therefore has democratic legitimacy.

What is a weakness of the House of Commons?

Government majorities and party discipline often limit effective scrutiny.

What is a strength of the House of Lords?

It contains experienced members and specialists who can provide expert scrutiny.

What is a weakness of the House of Lords?

It is unelected and lacks democratic legitimacy.

What are select committees?

Cross-party committees that investigate government departments and policies.

Why are select committees important?

They provide detailed scrutiny of government actions and decisions.

What is PMQs?

A weekly session in which MPs question the Prime Minister.

What is a strength of PMQs?

It publicly holds the Prime Minister accountable.

What is a weakness of PMQs?

It can be dominated by political point-scoring rather than genuine scrutiny.

What is the executive?

The Prime Minister, Cabinet and government ministers responsible for running the country.

How does Parliament hold the executive accountable?

Through PMQs, debates, select committees and votes.

What is a strength of parliamentary accountability?

It allows elected representatives to scrutinise government decisions.

What is a weakness of parliamentary accountability?

A large government majority can weaken scrutiny.

What is an elective dictatorship?

A situation where a government with a large majority dominates Parliament.

How does the House of Lords hold the executive accountable?

By revising legislation and proposing amendments.

What is a limitation of the House of Lords’ scrutiny?

It can delay legislation but cannot permanently block most bills.

How does the judiciary hold the executive accountable?

Through judicial review and Supreme Court decisions.

What is judicial review?

The process by which judges review whether public bodies have acted lawfully.

What is judicial independence?

The principle that judges should be free from political influence.

Why is judicial independence important?

It allows judges to hold government to account fairly.

What is a strength of judicial review?

It prevents government bodies from acting unlawfully.

What is a weakness of judicial review?

Judges cannot overturn Acts of Parliament due to parliamentary sovereignty.

What was the Miller II case (2019)?

The Supreme Court ruled Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament unlawful.

Why is Miller II significant?

It demonstrated the judiciary’s ability to check executive power.

What is the rule of law?

The principle that everyone, including government, is subject to the law.

What is liberal feminism?

A strand of feminism that seeks equality through legal and political reform.

What do liberal feminists believe about the state?

The state can be used to improve women’s rights.

What is a strength of liberal feminism?

It has achieved legal reforms such as equal rights legislation.

What is a criticism of liberal feminism?

It focuses on legal equality rather than deeper social inequalities.

What is socialist feminism?

A strand of feminism that sees women’s oppression as linked to capitalism and class inequality.

What do socialist feminists believe causes women’s inequality?

The combination of patriarchy and capitalism.

What is a strength of socialist feminism?

It highlights the economic causes of gender inequality.

What is a criticism of socialist feminism?

It may place too much emphasis on class.

What is radical feminism?

A strand of feminism that sees patriarchy as the main source of women’s oppression.

What do radical feminists believe about society?

Society is fundamentally patriarchal and benefits men.

What is a strength of radical feminism?

It draws attention to issues such as domestic violence and sexual harassment.

What is a criticism of radical feminism?

It can be criticised for viewing men and women as fundamentally opposed groups.

What is patriarchy?

A system in which men hold greater power and influence than women.

What do liberal feminists believe about patriarchy?

It can be reduced through reform and equal opportunities.

What do socialist feminists believe about patriarchy?

It works alongside capitalism to disadvantage women.

What do radical feminists believe about patriarchy?

It is deeply embedded throughout society and institutions.

Which strand of feminism is most supportive of the state?

Liberal feminism.

Which strand of feminism is most critical of capitalism?

Socialist feminism.

Which strand of feminism is most critical of patriarchy?

Radical feminism.

What do most feminists agree on?

Women have historically faced inequality and discrimination.

What is a key disagreement between feminist strands?

The main cause of women’s oppression and how it should be addressed.