United Kingdom of Great Britain and N. Ireland What 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 Context David 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 Implications Why 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 Why this name? It was a success and it was bloodless. This resolved the religious conflict as well, making the nation a permanently Protestant nation.

Gradualism By the end of the 17 th 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 19 th Century, the British Empire controlled 25% of the world’s population.

Critical Junctures

Collectivist Consensus ( ) 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 ( ) 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 How did she solve the UK’s problems? How did people feel about her?

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 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 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 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 (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 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 20 th 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) 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