Chapter 4: Great Britain Comparative Politics: Domestic Responses to Global Challenges, Seventh Edition by Charles Hauss Chapter 4: Great Britain Chapter Cover Slide – book cover, book title, chapter number, chapter title

Learning Objectives After studying this chapter, students should be able to: explain how the economic problems faced by Britain have had such dramatic political consequences. define and give examples of gradualism within the context of British political history. describe examples of the changes made by Prime Ministers Thatcher and Major to the political/economic culture of Britain. describe how “New Labour” differed from “Old Labour” and from Thatcherism. identify 4-6 major developments in the creation of the current regime. describe the basic elements of the collectivist consensus. describe several ways in which the civic culture of the collectivist consensus broke down in the 1970s.

Learning Objectives, continued After studying this chapter, students should also be able to: explain why the three major parties in Britain are considered “catch-all” parties today. identify the main characteristics of the Conservative Party that ensured its success and survival. describe the conflict between ideological and pragmatic politics within the Labour Party that eventually led to Tony Blair’s election as party leader. explain in general terms how interest groups function in Britain. explain the roles of the parliamentary party, the shadow cabinet, and collective responsibility in the functioning of Commons. describe the basics of the debates in Britain over the country’s relationship with Europe.

The Blair Decade In 2008, the British government nationalized Northern Rock. The government gained a majority of seats on the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) board of directors in 2008. The economy shrank by 0.6% in the last six months of 2008. The British government introduced a stimulus package.

Thinking about Britain The Basics One of world’s most densely populated countries No longer an “all white” country Welfare state is still strong Social class remains a powerful force

Thinking about Britain Democracy evolved over centuries. Scholars call this process gradualism. Post WWII, this led to a collectivist consensus in favor of a mixed economy and welfare state. Only in recent years has the country’s power started to decline.

Thinking about Britain Four Themes: Britain has suffered from less unrest and has had a more consensual history than any other country. Britain’s relative economic standing declined dramatically in the second half of the 20th century. The conservative governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major in the 1980’s and 1990’s redefined political life. Impact of Blair and the “New Labour” Party

Table 4.1

The Evolution of the British State Sequential, rather than simultaneous, tasks of British Building the nation state Defining the role of religion Establishing liberal democracy Industrial revolution Maintained legitimacy without constitution

The Evolution of the British State Broad Sweep of British History British State dates back to the Magna Carta Reformation and Henry VIII Two Revolutions in the 17th Century paved the way for Parliamentary Democracy Bill of Rights Act of Settlement 1701 The Industrial Revolution resulted in the working class demanding political change Great Reform Act of 1832 Late 1860’s brought greater electoral reform In 1911 House of Lord stripped of power

Table 4.2

The Evolution of the British State The Collectivist Consensus During WWII, Winston Churchill and opposition parties agreed to suspend normal politics. The Conservatives under Churchill agreed to establish a Commission to overhaul the social services system. This surge of reform came to an end in 1949, but the Conservatives did not repeal the reforms.

The Evolution of the British State The Collectivist Consensus From 1945 to the mid 1970’s was the golden era of British politics WWII coalition government became an informal agreement on many issues Beveridge Report of 1942 formed core of “Collectivist Consensus” Post-war political cleavages were class based more than policy based

Table 4.3

British Political Culture The civic culture and the collectivist years High levels of legitimacy Great civic tolerance Patriotic enthusiasm

British Political Culture The Politics of Protest: Toward an Uncivic Culture? Growing unrest with the collectivist consensus in the 1970’s Bloody Sunday 1972 Racism and riots Radicalization of unions in face of growing unemployment and economic decline Thatcher government played on dissatisfaction with the left.

British Political Culture The civic culture holds Dangers of protest were fleeting Economic recovery of the 1980s eased many problems Skepticism toward politicians grew

British Political Culture Will there always be a Britain? Identification with the UK has declined since the late 1960’s Resurgence of support for regional parties in Scotland and Wales Devolution (regional parliaments) Monarchy’s loss of influence and prestige Increasing racial diversity (most born in the UK) Growing importance of the EU, euroskeptics

Political Participation Parties have been the primary vehicle for political participation for over 100 years: Party manifestos (platforms) have been very important in the past. Ever since WWII, either the Labour Party or the Conservative Party has won each general election. The parties began to change in the 1970’s, with the parties both moving towards ideological extremes. All major parties have become “catch-all” parties.

Table 4.4

Political Participation The Conservatives Conservatives have been successful: They were flexible and changed policies. They emphasized market forces but maintained responsibility to the poor. They have an elitist but effective organization. Party strong during Thatcher years Party has had four leaders since 1997 Today they are stronger contenders because of public dissatisfaction with Labour Party. The party’s views on Europe are not shared by the majority of Britons. The party leadership is aging.

Political Participation Labour Began as alliance of unions, socialists, and cooperative associations in the early 20th century Clause 4: Formally repudiated by Blair Economic crisis and New Left activists led to leadership by party’s left wing Leaders more interested in electoral success than ideology were chosen in mid-‘80s New Labour: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and younger, more moderate leaders took over in mid-1990s

Table 4.5

Political Participation Liberal Democrats Product of 1987 merger of Liberal and Social Democratic parties “First past the post” system prevents them from winning as many seats. The party is currently challenging the Conservatives as second-largest party. The party has capitalized on dissatisfaction with conservatives to build its base. The party has fared better under new leader Charles Kennedy.

Political Participation Minor Parties Rise in Scottish, Welsh, and Irish nationalism has led to moderate growth in support for regional political parties. What is devolution? Regional parties’ fortunes ebb and flow. In recent general elections, they have often come in second in their regions. Regional parties have always dominated Northern Ireland

Political Participation The British Electorate Long time class-based politics upset by radicalism and Thatcher victories Dealignment instead of realignment Labour victories result of: Voters’ “fatigue” with Conservative government Success in appealing to middle class and post-materialist voters Labor has tried to increase support among women by nominating them to elected positions

Political Participation Interest Groups Many interest groups, but little actual lobbying Lobbying must be done when bills are drafted Focus their activity on the people who make the decisions Civil servants Ministers Party leaders Trade Unions Council has close links with labor, Confederation of British Industries with Conservatives What was their role during collectivist years?

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities Walter Bagehot’s The English Constitution Britain’s Constitution composed of acts of Parliament, understandings, and traditional practices that everyone agreed to follow Difference between the “dignified” and “real” constitution

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities The Monarchy and the Lords: visible but powerless House of Lords: 92 have hereditary membership, life seats to recognize exemplary service, church officials, and law lords Can delay legislation for up to six months In theory, monarch still rules “in Parliament”, but not in practice

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities House of Commons Represent single member districts elected in first past the post system MPs do not have to live in their districts Elections are party centered

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities Key to British Democracy is the Parliamentary Party Leader of majority party is Prime Minister Head of minority party is the shadow cabinet Backbenchers Thatcher and Brown’s career paths are typical

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities The Cabinet Cabinet members are all members of the House of Commons except for the Attorney General and Leaders of the House of Lords Collective responsibility Introduces all legislation 90% of legislation passes after extended study and debate Richard Crossman memoirs, cabinet becoming less important

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities The rest of the British State: Civil servants act as administrators, not policy makers. Regulatory agencies oversee newly privatized companies. QUANGOs make a great deal of policy and regulation. While courts have potential to be more active, they have never exercised a policy-making role.

FIGURE 4-1 Decision Making in Britain

Public Policy: The Thatcher and Blair Revolutions Domestic politics After the 1945 election Labour nationalized key industries, were performing poorly by the 1960’s Welfare state became a growing expense Thatcher reduced the role of state and privatized government owned companies and government services Tony Blair's “Third Way”

Public Policy: The Thatcher and Blair Revolutions Domestic Policy: Thatcher and Major governments Privatization was popular in the short term Attempts to reduce social service met with resistance Supporters: saved British economy Detractors: Widened gap between rich and poor

Public Policy: The Thatcher and Blair Revolutions Domestic Policy: Blair government Welfare to work Raised minimum wage Tuition increases Congestion pricing

Public Policy: The Thatcher and Blair Revolutions Foreign policy: Europe International power has waned since WWII Special relationship with United States Britain divided on “Europe” Issue of single currency Should the UK join European Monetary Union? Should the UK ratify the new EU treaty (constitution)?

Public Policy: The Thatcher and Blair Revolutions Foreign policy: Iraq Great Britain supported 1991 Gulf War and U.S. effort in Afghanistan after 9/11 Under Blair government, Great Britain became second largest contingent of troops in Iraq in 2003 Britain pulled half of its troops by mid-2007

Feedback Centralized, professional media 11 main daily newspapers, London dailies Regional newspapers, local newspapers Five quality newspapers known as broadsheets Tabloids are superficial and scandalous BBC and independent broadcasters offer thorough political coverage Papers usually support a political party Very little local news Conclusion: Blair’s legacy and British democracy, regime has rock solid support