 starter activity “Political culture is the set of values within which a system operates” What values (characteristics) of British political life are unique to this country? Think about how politics operates in this country compared with our European and transatlantic partners. Media Monarchy Civil service Military Law NHS

British political culture: some key features. Neutrality of TV v. political bias of media Freedom of press High moral standards expected of MPs & public officials Monarchy is apolitical Independence of civil service Military is the servant of the state Respect for the rule of law Respect for public institutions, e.g. NHS

What is political culture ?

 Your task The UK’s political culture is the product of a variety of factors. Look at the factors on the cards, and prioritise them according to your own opinion. Which has the greatest influence on our political culture? What evidence have you got to support this? Complete the table below once you have ranked the characteristics: CharacteristicEvidence Contrasts with other countries History Geography Democracy Religion Politics Character

 Your task How has political culture in Britain changed since 1945? Read Roberts, p (section ) and list the key changes in political culture in the country. Use these headings to help you: How has political culture in Britain changed since 1945? Read Roberts, p (section ) and list the key changes in political culture in the country. Use these headings to help you: Thatcher era Thatcher era New Labour New Labour Post-modernism Post-modernism

Changes in political culture Thatcher era: breakdown of post-war consensus; self-reliance, enterprise & market values Thatcher era: breakdown of post-war consensus; self-reliance, enterprise & market values New Labour: Third Way; constitutional reform; responsibilities alongside rights New Labour: Third Way; constitutional reform; responsibilities alongside rights Post modern: partisan dealignment; social & religious pluralism; globalisation Post modern: partisan dealignment; social & religious pluralism; globalisation

Civic culture ‘The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations’ (1963) ‘The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations’ (1963) Deference – support for authority, rule of law, establishment etc. Deference – support for authority, rule of law, establishment etc. Consensus – importance attached to peaceful resolution Consensus – importance attached to peaceful resolution Homogeneity – strong sense of community Homogeneity – strong sense of community Gabriel AlmondSydney Verba How far do you agree with Almond & Verba? What evidence have you got their interpretation is now wrong?

Civic culture Evidence Britain’s civic culture is under threat: Lack of confidence in political institutions Lack of confidence in political institutions Social tensions – e.g. race riots, BNP Social tensions – e.g. race riots, BNP Breakdown of traditional class structures Breakdown of traditional class structures Public apathy – e.g. low turnout Public apathy – e.g. low turnout Desire for constitutional reform – e.g. devolution Desire for constitutional reform – e.g. devolution Denis.Kavanagh

 Your task Imagine you are the ambassador for a foreign country. Write a brief summary of Britain’s political culture for your government. Think about the following features: Imagine you are the ambassador for a foreign country. Write a brief summary of Britain’s political culture for your government. Think about the following features: Key characteristics of British political culture Key characteristics of British political culture How they differ from other nations How they differ from other nations Changes in its culture since the war Changes in its culture since the war Present threats to the culture Present threats to the culture

How do people become ‘political animals’? primacy v. recency models

When are our political views and opinions shaped? When we are very young or when we are much older?

 Your task Read Roberts, p.15 and write a brief definition of the two key models of political socialisation: The primacy model The primacy model The recency model The recency model Which do you think is more accurate?

 Your task Which of the following has the greatest influence on shaping our own political values? Rank them in order of importance. family family peer groups peer groups religion religion education education mass media mass media Look at the picture and the commentary on p.15-16, and create a spider diagram to summarise the key points.

Is Britain a classless society?

How has class been defined? Study the three main models for studying class in Roberts on p.21: ModelStrengthsWeaknesses Registrar General’s occupational definition Office of National Statistics the IPA.