An Introduction

Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales United Kingdom of Great Britain: Britain + N. Ireland Scotland has its own bank notes and legal system England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have their own international soccer teams Population is around 66 million, 70% urban About 2/3 are Protestant; 10% are Catholic Between 5-10% are non- white (African, Asian or Caribbean) Quality of life is relatively good, but not on par with US or Germany or France Clothing, cars, school and sports they follow highlight a person’s social class in UK

 Britain was included in the study of comparative politics for four reasons: 1. Liberal democracy flourished in Great Britain over a long period of time known as gradualism Gradualism has its roots in the Magna Carta 2. As British democracy grew, gradualism led to a post- war collective consensus Collective consensus gave way to a mixed economy welfare state 3. Britain had been one of the world’s great powers for 500 years and still strong enough to have a seat on the UN Security Council 4. It’s political system was similar to other English- speaking countries, therefore, easy for readers to start with

 Gradualism is still a valid study in British politics and history  Britain is not the global strength it once was  Global ranking has shrunk over past 30 years  Collective consensus disappeared in the 1970s  Britain’s historical role and how it helps us understand the development of democracy is critical in comparative politics Country USA11353 GB International Rank in GNP per Capita Source: Hauss, Comparative Politics, p 71

 Trend One: Gradualism  the historical shifts in British democratic history that are rooted in the Magna Carta  Britain has enjoyed more consensual history than other democracies; this helps smooth the demographic transitions  It did have religious unrest, violence, class conflict during democratization, but spread it out over a number of centuries  Trend Two: Britain has had many troubles for a stable democratic country  The collectivist period (1960s) gave way to riots, labor strikes and union busting in 70s & 80s  Great Britain is no longer one of the wealthier democracies in the world  Britain is not a poor country, but production has lagged behind

 Trend Three: Political Conservatism  Conservative governments redefined British political life in the 80s and early 90s  Collective consensus gave way to free-market privatization  Thatcherism crushed unions, privatized dozens of industries, reduced spending on social services and opposed British involvement in Europe (Euro-skeptics)  Her supporters argue she saved the UK from economic disaster  Her opponents argue she left Britain a heartless, uncompassionate government who divided its citizens  Trend Four: New Labour  Tony Blair’s New Labour re-wrote the political rules in Britain  Labour Party’s goals were re-defined to include a mixed economic system  Nationalization of industry was abandoned, but a closer relationship between business, labor and government was formed

The British happened to the rest of the world. Now the rest of the world happens to Britain. - Andrew Marr; BBC journalist - Hauss, 68