Introduction, Britain, and EU Day 1 – AP Review

Test Information Test lasts 2 ½ hours: Test is 5/15/12 at 12 pm Section 1 – 55 multiple choice questions (45 minutes) Short break Section 2 – 8 short answer and free response (100 minutes) 5 definition and description questions 1 conceptual analysis question 2 country specific questions (USUALLY ask you to compare 2 – 3 nations) Test is 5/15/12 at 12 pm

Things to Do to Prepare Get Fast Track to a 5 by Peter Caroddo, Jr. Study each night 20 – 30 minutes each night for the month before the test KNOW your vocabulary – KEY thing to study

On Test Day Remember Eat properly in between your tests Wear comfortable clothes Read the question carefully Avoid absolute responses like “always” and “never” – watch EXCEPT questions Be sure to list your answers in regards to the parts listed on the test Short answers should be CLEAR, CONCISE, and PRECISE Know the difference between DEFINE, IDENTIFY, and EXPLAIN

Today’s Agenda Review some general knowledge for preparation and the testing day Distribute vocabulary and activity sheets Review introduction to Comparative Politics info Complete HDI Activity Review UK info Complete “Parliaments Role in Europe” Activity Review EU info PRACTICE TESTS: you make take them ANY time between now and next Tuesday … I will grade them and return them to help you study

Comparative Politics – Chapter 1 Provides insight into governmental systems used around the world – answers why countries are different Is a field of political science Comparative politics is the study of political systems around the world Comparativists study comparative politics

Methods of Comparison Comparative analysis is key to class – logical approach for identifying the causes of the similarities and differences Normative analysis Empirical analysis Quantitative analysis Qualitative analysis – useful for case study Most similar systems Most different systems

Political and Governmental Systems Political Units Country – generic term State – political unit with power to make and enforce laws, has sovereignty Nation – group of people who share self-identified common identity – CAN have a stateless nation Nation-State – characteristics of state and nation Exercise of Power Government – formal institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a group of people Authority – power to rule over people and get things done Legitimacy – the right to rule is recognized by the people Regime – rules that guide governments operations and interactions Types of Government Democratic Authoritarian: numerous types

HDI Activity Development refers to the degree to which a country has achieved economic and political stability and well-being Comparativists often examine levels of development HDI is the Human Development Index

Britain Review Represents the classic “Liberal” democracy Citizens have high levels of efficacy – belief they can impact public policy Are a parliamentary sovereignty – no “written” constitution so Parliament has ultimate power Elections are fair and power passes between two major parties: Labour and Conservatives (Tories) (Liberal Democrats only gets about 30 of 659 seats)

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Great Britain refers to main island and consists of England, Scotland, and Wales United Kingdom includes N. Ireland with other 3 Island status has allowed it to develop independently from mainland Europe Has developed under idea of gradualism

Political Institutions Is a constitutional monarchy with unwritten constitution Is example for parliamentary democracy – Westminster Model – with fusion of powers: executive branch is chosen from within House of Commons and PM must stand for election in their own district PM is leader of party that wins most seats in general election Cabinet sits in front to the right, opposition sits to the left, back benchers sit in back PM calls elections at any time but must be within 5 years of last one Queen plays ceremonial and highly visible role Elections based on first-past-the-post system and single-member district – similar to USA Quangos are mix of private and government staffers who form policy-making boards

Citizens, Society and the State Northern Ireland continuing problem for Britain Protestants and Catholics long civil war that almost ended with 1998 Good Friday Agreement Also divided along class lines – biggest cleavage

Political and Economic Change Gradualism – from Magna Carta through Great Reform Acts and universal suffrage in 1928 Post-WWII collectivist consensus began with Beveridge Report – social welfare for all 1970s consensus breaking down and Thatcher began neoliberalism and monetarism 1997 Labour began Third Way

Public Policy Devolution Scotland has elected government of its own with taxation powers London directly elects its mayor Local assemblies have been created in Wales Frees Parliament from dealing with local issues and weakens calls for independence minded parties Unitary system - so found way to give more power to local leaders without Parliament giving up its sovereignty

Parliament’s Role in Europe Look at the relationship between the EU and the UK

European Union 27 European nations Supranational organization Set up to foster economic cooperation, has developed huge single market with Euro as its common currency, spans all areas from development aid to environmental policy Is based on rule of law – every action taken by EU is based on treaties

Bodies Setting the agenda – European Council - sets EU’s overall political direction but no power to pass laws; led by its president and comprising national heads of state or government and the President of the Commission Legislation – these three produce through “Ordinary Legislative Procedure” (used to be co-decision) – policies and laws that apply through the EU European Parliament – directly elected; MEP represent European citizens Council of European Union – governments defend their own countries interests European Commission – appointed by national governments; promotes interests of EU as a whole

Treaties 1952 – ECSC - interdependence in coal and steel 1958 – Treaty of Rome – set up the EEC and Euratom 1967 – Brussels Treaty – creates single Commission, single Council; repealed by 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam 1986 – Single European Act – began qualified majority voting in the Council (in preparation for Portugal's and Spain’s membership), gave Parliament more influence 1993 – Maastricht Treaty (Treaty of European Union) – creates EU, introduces co-decision giving Parliament more say, creates cooperation between defense and justice and home affairs 1999 – Treaty of Amsterdam – more transparent decision making, consolidation of EU and EEC treaties 2003 – Treaty of Nice – method for changing composition of Commission and redefined voting system in Council 2009 – Treaty of Lisbon – more power for European Parliament, change voting procedures in Council, permanent president of European Council, new EU diplomatic service