Topic 14, United Kingdom

The United Kingdom

Topic 14, Lesson 2

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is a democracy with a unitary, parliamentary government. Its constitution consists of written documents and unwritten customs and practices.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary system, where the chief executive—the prime minister—is chosen by the parliament rather than being directly elected. The United Kingdom’s bicameral Parliament holds the nation’s legislative and executive powers.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom’s government is a monarchy, but today the monarch, or queen, is a figurehead who reigns but does not rule. The prime minister holds the real power of government. Like the United States, the United Kingdom is an example of constitutionalism, government in which power is distributed and limited by a system of laws that must be obeyed by its rulers.

The United Kingdom

The prime minister is the leader of the party that holds a majority in the Commons. If no party holds a majority, a temporary alliance of parties, or a coalition, chooses a prime minister. The prime minister selects the cabinet members, or ministers, who head the executive departments. Each opposition party appoints its own team of potential cabinet members, called the shadow cabinet, in case it gains power.

Multiple Choice

United Kingdom is an example of constitutionalism which is...

• government in which the monarch rules an an absolute and not bound to obey any system of law.

• government in which its rulers are not bound to obey the system of laws it imposes upon its people.

• government in which power is distributed and limited by a system of laws that must be obeyed by its rulers.

• government in which power rests with its prime minister who enforces a system of laws except for the office of the monarch.

Multiple Choice

What is a parliamentary system?

• where the people directly elect the prime minister to serve as the chief executive of the government.

• where the monarch is chosen by the parliament to serve as chief executive of the government.

• where the monarch appoints the prime minister to serve as the chief executive of the government.

• where the chief executive—the prime minister—is chosen by the parliament rather than being directly elected.

Multiple Choice

If no party holds a majority, a permanent alliance of parties, or a coalition, chooses a prime minister.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

The prime minister selects the cabinet members, or ministers, who head the executive departments.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of a shadow government?

• To allow the opposition party to appoint its own team of potential cabinet members, in case it ever gains power.

• To create a secret society of political operative to overthrow the existing party in power.

• To operate in the "shadows" of government with the intent of removing the existing government from power.

• To create a system to remove the monarch and install the prime minister as chief executive once a monarch dies.