Please write a paper on one of the topics listed below. The paper should be a maximum of 3 pag-

es, double-spaced, in 12-point type.

Note that several of these essay topics invite you to state your opinions about features of British

politics. There are no right or wrong answers! We are interested in your intuitive thoughts about

British political processes, so feel free to offer your honest opinions.

1) An analyst of British politics has written that in Britain, “The constitution is what hap-

pens.” What did he mean by this? How does British democracy survive in the absence

of a written constitution, particularly given the iron cage of party discipline which ap-

pears to confer nearly unlimited powers on the government?

2) What does it mean to say that the British plurality voting system typically “manufac-

tures” a parliamentary majority for one party in the House of Commons? What do you

see as the advantages and disadvantages of government rue by a single party, that has on-

ly minority support in the voting population?

3) What is the “iron cage of party discipline,” and does it apply equally to Britain and the

United States? Do you think it is a desirable feature of British politics, or in your opinion

would politics work better if MPs had more latitude to vote their conscience and/or to fol-

low the views of their constituents?

4) Summarize the economic and social policies that constituted the British Postwar Settle-

ment. What are some reasons why the Labour and Conservative parties both broadly sup-

ported these policies for several decades following WWII?

5) Discuss the Conservative Party’s political incentives to embrace the Postwar Settlement

policies following Labour’s 1945 election victory. In your opinion, was it inevitable that

the Conservatives would shift their economic and social policies sharply leftwards, in re-

sponse to their 1945 electoral defeat? Why or why not?

6) Discuss Winston Churchill’s leadership of Britain during WWII, with particular focus on

his leadership during the year 1940. What were some of the Churchill’s personal

strengths and weaknesses?