United Kingdom

The common law system, especially as practiced in Great Britain, is based on

• a set of guidelines developed by a constitutional council

• formal legal codes

• the use of precedents to guide legal decisions      

• the idea that judges should interpret laws in ways that improve public policy

The United Kingdom has used a referendum in the past ten years to

• pass legislation dealing with immigration

• amend international trade agreements

• decide whether to leave the European Union

• ratify structural adjustment policiesd

Which of the following entities are most responsible for formulating and executing policy in a parliamentary system?

• parliament & head of state

• president & cabinet

• prime minister & cabinet

• prime minister & head of state

Which is not a region of the United Kingdom?

• Republic of Ireland

• Wales

• England

• Scotland

What is the "Cabinet" in the context of the UK government?

• The main counterweight to the TUC

• The top advisers to the Prime Minister

• The component of the House of Lords that are members of the aristocracy

• The period from 1649 onwards when England was ruled as a republic

Answer explanation

The Cabinet in the context of the UK government refers to the top advisers to the Prime Minister, making this the correct choice.

What does the formal name "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" refer to?

• The entire island of Great Britain and the island of Ireland

• Only the main island of Great Britain

• The three nations of Great Britain plus the northeastern part of the island of Ireland

• A historical term for the British Empire

Answer explanation

The formal name 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland' refers to the three nations of Great Britain plus the northeastern part of the island of Ireland.

What can trigger a vote of no confidence in the UK?

• A public petition reaching a certain number of signatures

• The resignation of the Prime Minister

• The chamber rejecting a measure deemed of high importance to the government

• A unanimous decision by the members of the royal family

Answer explanation

The correct choice is the chamber rejecting a measure deemed of high importance to the government, as this can trigger a vote of no confidence in the UK.

What does the term "Brexit" refer to?

• The agreement between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland

• The period from 1649 onwards when England was ruled as a republic

• The potential, hypothetical, or actual departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union

• The cross-party British support for the welfare state in the 1970s

Answer explanation

Brexit refers to the potential, hypothetical, or actual departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

What is the principle of "collective responsibility" within the UK cabinet?

• When the cabinet must appear unified and take responsibility for the policy, even if one individual cabinet minister opposes a given policy

• The consensus across political parties to support the welfare state

• The agreement between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland

• The system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal code

Answer explanation

The principle of 'collective responsibility' within the UK cabinet means that the cabinet must appear unified and take responsibility for the policy, even if one individual cabinet minister opposes a given policy.

What is "Common law"?

• A system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal code

• The period from 1649 onwards when England was ruled as a republic

• The top advisers to the Prime Minister

• The component of the House of Lords that are members of the aristocracy

Answer explanation

Common law is a system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal code, making it the correct choice.