The UK: Country and People 7 January 2013 by Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

I. Terminology  The UK = Britain  The UK vs. Great Britain  The British Isles a) Two large islands b) Many small islands The geographical and political units do not coincide.  The British people: The British, Britons

II. History  The make-up of the British population a) Origin (pop. movements) b) Four major nationalities  “A glorious past”: the empire  Colonies

III. England as the Dominant Country in the UK  Historically  Numerically  E: m S: m W: m NI: m (approx.)  The UK: 63m (approx.)

IV. Britain in the World Today  Britain and the Commonwealth Still important?  Britain and the USA Still “a special relationship”?  Britain and Europe Most important, but still Euro- scepticism

“A medium-sized power with global influence"?  Britain’s global role today: self-perception vs. reality?  Both diplomatic and interventionist?  Keep its military strength?

V. National Characteristics and Values  What do you consider ”typical” for the British people?  Problems of stereotyping/ generalizations  Outside vs. inside perspectives – nuances  National characteristics vs. one national character  Is there one British national identity?

VI. Divisions in British Society “How united is the United Kingdom?”  Regional divisions (7 January)  Racial and ethnic divisions (March 4)  Class divisions (April 8)  Divisions in education (April 15)  Gender divisions (EfBS, Unit 6)

Regional Divisions  Devolution (definition):  Why devolution?

Devolution  Scotland Powers of the UK Parliament Powers of the Scottish Parliament  Wales Powers of the Welsh Assembly  England?

Devolution  Northern Ireland “The Troubles”  Solution through devolution?

Devolution  The Northern Ireland Assembly + The North/South Ministerial Council The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference The British Irish Council