United Kingdom of Great Britain and N.

IrelandWhat is a Nation? What is a

Nation-State?

Nation “A group of people who identify themselves

as belonging together because of cultural, geographic, or linguistic ties.”

Nation-State “ A territorial unit controlled by a single state

and governed by a single government.”

Flag of Scotland

Flag of England

Flag of Ireland

Flag of Wales

The Union Flag of the United Kingdom represents the union of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Wales is not represented.)

Map of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Historical Overview

Current ContextDavid Cameron, the current British PM from the Conservative Party (1966- )

Second Youngest Prime Minister in History

Geographic Setting

British Isles Great Britain Britain England,

Scotland, Wales United Kingdom

of Great Britain and N. Ireland

What do all these names mean?

What’s in a name? What political cleavages do you think might

exist in the UK just by looking at the name? A clash of national identities…

Geographic Setting

What are the benefits/challenges of being an island off the coast of Europe?

Natural barrier of protection (important in history)

Close but not too close (to Europe) A complicated relationship with the EU.

Themes and ImplicationsWhy do we study the UK?

1st nation to industrialize 1st nation to develop an effective parliamentary

democracy. Because of its huge empire, its political influence on

the forms of government established all over the world has been tremendous (the Westminster Model).

It serves as a model of a peaceful and progressive advancement of democracy in a world where transition to democratic systems can be turbulent and unstable.

Themes and Implications Questions to Consider:

Is the UK a world power or just another middle-of-the road European country?

Can they achieve economic success outside of the European Union?

Will the monarchy survive? What does it mean to be British?

Critical Junctures Magna Carta – 1215

King John gives in to the feudal landowners. In 1236, the first use of the word “parliament” from the French, meaning “to talk.”

Critical Junctures Glorious Revolution -1688

Why this name? It was a success and it was bloodless. This resolved

the religious conflictas well, making thenation a permanently Protestant nation.

Gradualism By the end of the 17th Century there was a

basic form of parliamentary democracy within Great Britain and it has remained ever since, only strengthening over time.

Critical Junctures Industrial Revolution & the British Empire

In the 19th Century, the British Empire controlled 25% of the world’s population.

Critical Junctures

1830 1832 1865 18671884

19181928

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40

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% ofEnf ranchi sed

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Critical Junctures Collectivist Consensus

(1945 - 1979) After World War II,

reconstruction and prosperity took priority over political ideologies.

There was an overall harmony and agreement that the state should take more responsibility in improving the lives of citizens through political means, the “welfare state.”

Critical Junctures

Winter of Discontent (1978-79)

Massive unrest of the labor

unions due to huge inflation

wage increase restrictions

Jan. 22, 1979 – 1.5 stopped work

140,000 protested in London.

Critical Junctures:Thatcherism

Margaret Thatcher PM from 1979-1990 How did she solve the

UK’s problems? How

did people feel about her?

Thatcher…

Thatcher…

Thatcher…

Critical Junctures:New Labour’s “Third Way” In 1997, Tony Blair led the Labour party to a landslide

victory over the Conservatives. New Labour offered a

third alternative to the

collectivist consensus

of the past and the

Thatcherism of the

80’s and 90’s.

Rejected the traditional models that defined labor &

conservative alliances and promised a new approach to economic, social, and welfare policy.

Faced major hurdles, even

early on… Princess Diana’s death Peace settlement with Nth.

Ireland Outbreak of Mad Cow disease September 11, 2001

Critical Junctures:New Labour’s “Third Way”

How does the world feel about the British/US alliance?

Political & Economic Development: Neoliberalism

Neoliberalism Government policies that encourage

competition in business, promote entrepreneurial activity, and create a pro-business environment to attract FDI and spur innovation.

Consensus Era Keynesianism

An approach to economic policy where the government uses policies to achieve economic growth and control inflation. During recession, the government spends more money to increase employment, investment and increase demand. In times of growth (& inflation) the government cuts spending and reduces credit in order to lessen demand.

Thatcher’s Era Monetarism

A more hands off approach, where the government does not try to control unemployment but controls inflation. The government will set goals for economic growth and will not resort to running a budget deficit to spur the economy.

New Labour’s Era New Labour’s Economic Policy

Policies emphasizing economic growth Using government surplus to increase spending

on education, health care, etc. Tight control of inflation and government

spending. Focusing on the global economy and seeking to

improve the UK’s economy through education, training, investment, etc.

Society & Economy Policies brought forth during the Thatcher

years served to increase the gap b/w rich and poor

But since the mid 1990’s these policies have been moderated and there has been a significant redistribution of wealth.

The Global Economy Increased FDI has led to consistent growth

of the British economy New Labour did not reverse the

Conservatives dismantling of the power of labour unions.

Friendly towards globalization, but at what cost?

What is a Constitution? “a body of fundamental

principles or established

precedents according to

which a state or other

organization is acknow-

ledged to be governed.”

British Constitution To understand the British system of governance

you must understand its constitution. They don’t have a specific, unified, written out

constitution. It is a combination of statutory law (acts of Parliament),

common law, and authoritative interpretations. It is also very old and still contains some of the old ways

of doing things. For example, the UK is the only western democracy that permits two institutions of governance gained by unelected heredity.

Parliamentary Sovereignty Westminister Model - Key Features

Parliamentary Sovereignty Parliament has supreme power. They can make

or overturn any law. The executive, the judiciary, and the Queen can not stop Parliament from action.

Parliamentary Democracy Parliamentary Democracy

The Prime Minister is selected from within the House of Commons, is answerable to the House, and may be dismissed by the House.

This is much different than an executive who is selected by national election and is separate from the legislative branch of government.

Unitary State Unitary State

In the UK, no powers are reserved for the sub-central units of government. However, the Labour Party, under Tony Blair, did introduce some significant “devolution” reform, giving some authority to the sub-national legislative bodies.

Westminster Model Fusion of Powers

Parliament is the supreme legislative, executive, and judicial authority. This includes the crown and both houses of the legislature.

Members of the legislative branch may also serve in the executive or the judicial.

Westminster Model Cabinet Government

Cabinet members in the Westminster model bear enormous responsibility. They are both members of the legislature and serve in a specific role on the Prime Minister’s cabinet.

Together, the cabinet bears the responsibility for shaping and directing the government.

The Cabinet @ 2 dozen members

After an election, the Queen invites the new Prime Minister to form a government.

He/She selects minisisters to serve in various capacities.

Cabinet Functions of the Cabinet

Responsible for formulating policy

The supreme authority of the executive branch.

The PM, in the cabinet, is a “first among equals”

Cabinet-Tug-o-War

Cabinet Member

PM

MInistry

POV of Cabinet Member POV of PM,

-loyal follower

- ideological opp.

- potential challenge

- advocate for agenda

District

Party

Cabinet Collective Responsibility

The idea that the cabinet restrains and “checks” the power of the Prime Minister.

There is only one other official means of accountability on the PM; this is the “vote of no confidence.” in the House of Commons

Cabinet Does collective responsibility work? Does the PM

have too much power? Under Blair, the power of the cabinet was undermined and

weakened. Blair held short cabinet meetings and made decisions

without debating issues before the cabinet. Blair met with cabinet ministers and advisers in more

informal and private meetings to discuss his agenda and gain support.

Linkage Institutions Any institution that connects the

government to its citizens. For example?

Media, interest groups, and political parties.

Labour Party Predicted to win in 1992

but lost…uh oh. John Smith became leader.

A Scottish moderate brought in to gain the support of the Nationalist parties. But he died in 1994. (heart attack)

Labour Party Tony Blair, at 41 years of

age, then became the youngest leader of the Labour Party. He was an Oxford educated lawyer

It was thought that he would bring more intellectuals and middle class into the party.

Labour Party 1997

Labour won by a landslide (capturing 419 out of 646 seats)

They won again in 2001 and 2005. Their margin of victory narrowed by 2005,

leading Tony Blair to resign in 2007, making way for Gordon Brown.

Conservative Party Characterized by Noblesse Oblige (the nobility

are obliged…obliged to what?) Since losing power in 1997, the Conservatives

have been divided in two

Traditional

Wing Thatcherite

Wing

Conservative Party Traditional Wing - value noblesse oblige and

approve of the UK being ruled by an elite that consider the good of everyone and rule on their behalf. They support involvement with the EU.

Thatcherite Wing - strict conservatives who would love to see a fully free market economy. They are uneasy about involvement in the EU.

Conservative Party Its current leader is

David Cameron, a youthful politician who excelled in the debating environment of Parliamentary procedures

Liberal Democrats Formed in 1989, by the alliance of the

Liberal Party and the Social Democrat Party.

Their purpose is to provide an alternative to the two other parties. They have campaigned for proportional representation (which would be great for them) and for a UK Bill of Rights.

Nationalist Parties Plaid Cyrmu - Wales Scottish National Party Sinn Fein (political arm

of the IRA) Democratic Unionist

Party (led by N. Ireland protestant clergy)

Elections Parliament has a

maximum life of five years but there is no fixed term.

The Queen formally “dissolves” Parliament once she has been asked to by the Prime Minister

Elections Elections are for

MP’s only. Each constituency

(about 65,000 voters) gets to elect one member to the House of Commons

Elections So the PM has the

“power” to call elections. How might he use this advantage?

Once an election has been called for and the votes cast, here’s how they are counted…

Proportional Representation “FPTP” otherwise known as “winner takes

all.” The candidate with the most votes wins.

This type of election favors whom?

Electoral Changes Regional governments are now using

proportional representation The mayor of London was recently elected

for the first time. Will the UK adopt more proportional

practices? Should they? What will hinder them from doing so?

Role of the Monarchy Must not be involved in

voting or running for office.

Gives assent to legislation Meets with the PM

regularly Dissolves Parliament Appoints members of the

House of Lords Serves as Head of State

What is Legitimacy based on? Tradition – heredity, religious power (ex.

Mandate of Heaven) Ideology – might provide a vision for a better

society (ex. Marxism in the early 20th century) Competitive elections & Constitutions – the

basis for most modern countries’ legitimacy. If people participate fully and freely and express support for the constitution than these are signs of strong legitimacy.

Political Culture The political culture of

the UK has always been characterized by trust, deference to authority, pragmatism, and acceptance of the rules.

Political Culture:What does it mean to be British?

Changes in the 20th Century 1970’s - standards of

living changed for many Britons.

Historic bonds of social class grew weaker.

Political Culture:What does it mean to be British?

Conservativism eroded the fundamental beliefs of the Keynesian welfare state

“Thatcher’s objective was nothing less than a cultural revolution.”

Changes in Political Culture Decreasing support for labor unions Increased moderation of both political

parties Greater acceptance of protests. Lesser percentage of voter turnout Less party loyalty than in the past

Political Culture:Ethnicity & Citizenship

Is there a word to describe someone from the UK?

In diverse societies, where do people’s loyalties lie?

Is it possible to achieve true diversity without conflict?

Bureaucracy

Hundreds of thousands of civil servants make up the bureaucracy.

They are generally experts in their field and advise cabinet ministers according to their expertise.

They are usually not involved in the politics and have therefore remained a reliable and stable segment of the UK political system.

Other Institutions Military

Still ranked a top five military power in the world, the UK has been heavily involved in military action in the last few decades.

They are strong allies of the US, committed NATO members, and have deployed troops to serve in UN-sanctioned actions (1991 Iraq)

Interest Groups & Protests Political Protest -

increasing in recent years (reaction to globalization) 2000 - Fuel prices Anti-war

Politics in Transition Constitutional Changes

Is it democratic to still have two unelected components of government with parliamentary sovereignty? What will happen to the House of Lords?

What is the role of the Queen? Opens & dissolves Parliament Weekly meeting with the PM Assents to new legislation

Politics in Transition Constitutional Changes

Is it democratic to have a single-member plurality system of representation?

What system might reflect “the will of the people” more accurately?

There are currently no plans to change the electoral system.

Politics in Transition Peace with Northern Ireland

Tony Blair’s sought

to bring peace, with

some success.

Politics in Transition Devolution What is it? How will it

impact the

future of the

UK?

Politics in Transition

European Union The Labour govt.

was far more favorable

towards the EU than

the Conservatives of

the past, however

there is still much

resistance in the UK.

Politics in Transition Global Relations

UK 2010 Election