1. Chapter 2 - Britain

2. Cross of St. George of England St. Andrew of Scotland
St. Patrick’s Cross of (Northern) Ireland
Wales

3. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland*

4. Section One: Making of Modern British State

5. Geographic Setting Great Britain = England, Wales, Scotland
Second island = 2 Irelands
Britain or UK = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Offshore but adjacent to Europe
Creates feeling of separation from but a part of Europe
Island nature made it less subject to invasion and conquest

6. Critical Junctures British state formed through unification of
kingdoms by conquest & treaty
William of Normandy 1066 at the Battle of Hastings
Acts of Union 1536 and 1542 united England and Wales
Ascendency of James I united Scottish and English Crowns, Act of Union 1707 united England and Scotland
Ireland added 1801 – N. Ireland remained in 1921 split

7. 17th Century Settlement
Glorious Revolution 1788; creates framework for constitutional monarchy
Parliamentary democracy emerges
Creates Protestant foundation in Church of England
Settles religious differences except in Ireland

8. Industrial Revolution and the British Empire
Shapes Britain
Creates social and economic changes; pressure for democratization
Gradual improvement in standard of living but hurts skilled craft workers
Cotton production becomes key – changed labor organization, relied on imports, depended on overseas trade – creates push for colonialism
Become first industrial power – ¼ of world’s trade
Was a hegemonic power
Push to expand electorate:
Reform Act 1832
Representation of the People Act of 1867
Franchise Act of 1884
Representation of the People Act 1918
Women got the vote in 1928
18 to 21 got the votes in 1969

9. World Wars, Industrial Strife, Depression
Creates interventionist state
Nationalized industries, set prices
Free market vs. interventionist policies continued through WWII
Collective Consensus (Collectivism)
Agreed to the expansion of state to provide broad social welfare programs
Fell apart with economic downturn in 1970s
Margaret Thatcher/Enterprise Culture
Believed collectivism lead to Britain’s decline
Cut taxes, reduced social services, stimulated competition in the private sector
Thatcherism led to an enterprise culture - individual responsibility, commitment to family, frugality, entrepreneurial spirit

10. New Labour’s Third Way
Labour modernized by Blair and Brown offered a ‘third-way’ alternative
Rejected interest-based politics, new ideas about welfare assistance, devolution of powers
Brought down by US support in war in Iraq and London bombings in 2005 (Blair) and 2008 economic collapse (Brown)
Blair and Brown met in 1983
Agreed to power sharing – led to almost dual executive

11. Sources of UK Authority and Power
Social Compacts and Constitutionalism
Traditional legitimacy – the crown
Rational-legal authority
Magna Carta
Bill of Rights
Common Law
“Constitution” of the Crown
Historical evolution of national political traditions
The monarchy
Ascendancy of Parliament
Industrial Revolution challenges
Colonialism
Collective Consensus, Thatcherism, Third-Way
Political culture

12. Political Culture
Nationalism
Insularity
Noblesse oblige – led to Welfare State
Multi-national – 4 countries, differences in dialect, differences in religion

13. Section Two: Political Economy and Development
Is characterized by gradualism
Sources of change are varied
Industrial Revolution
Extension of Rights
Colonialism’s end
Collective Consensus
Thatcherism
Third Way
Big Society

14. Industrial Revolution – new social classes, labor unions, government programs created to respond to consequences of industrialization
Extension of Rights – House of Commons most powerful, party for workers
Colonialism's End – still have political and economic bonds with colonies

15. Consensus Era
Followed Keynesian economics
Beveridge Report created the Welfare state
Supported by both parties
Thatcherite Policy Orientation
Supported neoliberalism
Iron Lady
New Labour’s Approach to Third Way
Brown turned debt into surplus; spent it on NHS
Saw globalization as positive; wanted foreign investment
Conservative’s Big Society
No longer support for “big government”
Began austerity program in UK

16. Political Implications of UK’s Economic Policy
Have never consistently followed any economic theory
Each of the doctrines have helped to determine the moral and cultural vision of UK society
Economics impact on social policy
Less reform of Welfare State by Conservatives than expected – did encourage private services, tried to reduce dependency, but recession caused many to still use services
New Labor focused on training and run by Department for World and Pensions – promised leaner welfare state
Cameron’s Big Society –
Devolution, volunteerism, charter schools, transparency – funded by the National Lottery

17. Impact of economy on society
Economic inequality grew in 1980s, stabilized in 1990s
Under Thatcher deepened inequalities
Major lessened inequalities
Inequalities still exist but have improved since 2007
Inequality and Ethnic Minorities
ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by poverty and diminished opportunity
Face cultural isolation and marginalized education experience
Big gap for job opportunities for whites vs. ethnic groups
Inequality and Women
Pay gap of 19.1% - higher than EU average of 16.4% - but when you look at full time workers down to 9.4%
Government has made family-friendly policies but at minimum EU standards

19. Section Three: Governance and Policy Making

20. Constitutional Monarchy
Reigns but does not rule - as
Head of state (PM = Head of Government)
Gives advice to PM (weekly meeting)
Speech from the Throne: “My government” (speech written by PM)
Apolitical (neutral)
Parliamentary system
Very Ceremonial!
Queen Elizabeth II
( Present)

21. Linkage Institutions: Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, Media
Two party system emerged in 19th century: Whigs (opposed the king – became Liberal Party) and Tories (supported the king – name today for Conservative Party)
Labour Party emerged 20th century in response to Industrial Revolution
Today two party dominant system (Labour and Conservatives) but since 1980s other national parties have emerged
Labour Party
Founded by trade union reps and socialist societies
Major party with victory in 1945
Began moderating ideology and expanding base
Significantly changed since 1970s
Currently moderate left-of-center
Electoral performance more important than ideology

22. Labour Party
Founded by trade union reps and socialist societies
Clause 4 called for nationalization of British industry
Major party with victory in 1945
Began moderating ideology and expanding base
Significantly changed since 1970s
1990s ended Clause 4
Currently moderate left-of-center
Current leaders were: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband, and now awaiting election in September
In power

23. Conservative Party (Tories)
One of most successful parties in Europe; center-right party
Dominant from WWII to 1997 with PM in all years except 16
Internal divisions over Britain’s role in European Union (caused Thatcher’s fall) split party into 2 wings:
Traditional wing
Thatcherite wing (euroskeptics)
Cameron assumed party leadership in 2005
2010 – 2015 in coalition government with Nick Clegg (Lib Dem)
2015 won election with 12 seat majority – coalition fell

24. Liberal Democrats
Only challenge to Labour and Conservatives through 1970s
1981 Social Democrats formed from split in Labour Party
1987 Liberal and Social Democrats merged
After success in 2001 election positioned as center-left critic of New Labour
Was in coalition government with conservatives in 2010 – 2015
Have campaigned for proportional representation, a Bill of Rights, EU membership
Other Parties
Plaid Cymru – Wales
Scottish National Party – Scotland
Seinn Fein and Democratic Unionist Party – Ireland
Far right parties: British National Party and UK Independence Party

25. Elections
Legislative posts only
Elections must be held every five years
Prime minister is elected from a district, not as PM
The Plurality Electoral System
election for Commons is winner takes all
Single member plurality system (SMP) (also called first past the post)
Reduces influence of small parties
Exaggerates victory of largest party
Do not need to live in the district they represent
contributes to Parliament of white men

26. 2015 Updated - Party
UK House of Commons
Sc2ottish Assembly
Assembly in Wales
N. Ireland Assembly
European Parliament
Conservative
330 15 14 19
Labour
232 38 30 20
Liberal Democrats 8 5 1
Democratic Unionist
Scottish Nationlist 56 64 2
Sinn Fein 4 29
Plaid Cymru 3 11
UKIP 24
BNP
Independent/other
Green
Alliance
Social Democratic and Labor
Ulster Unionist 13

27. Elections for Regional Governments
Beginning with Good Friday Agreement devolution of powers has happened
Based on proportional representation
Recently clear majority parties have arisen in Scotland and Wales
European Parliament Elections
Every five years
2014 UKIP has most votes

28. Campaign financing
Shorter and less expensive than in USA
Face investigations when fail to spend money legally
Interest groups
Have interest group pluralism
Characterized by neo-corporatism
Greatest influence comes from quangos
Most influential are linked to class and industrial interests
Role of media
Newspapers reflect social class division
TV strictly regulated by government, BBC supported by license fee on all TVs
Concern over relationship between government and media since phone hacking scandal of 2011

29. Institutions of National Government
Overview
Has three branches and a bureaucracy
Legislature is bicameral
No separation of powers
No judicial review
Unitary State
Core principle of Westminister Model is parliamentary sovereignty
Cabinet and Prime Minister
Each cabinet heads major bureaucracy of the government
Based out of 10 Downing Street
Based on collective responsibility for making policy for the country – about 2 dozen ministers
Publically support the Prime minister’s decisions but may disagree behind closed doors
There is no grid lock between legislature and executive as there is in the USA but also huge power in Prime Minister

30. The Legislature – Parliament
Today doesn’t legislature but more assents to Prime Minster and Cabinet
Little separation of powers between cabinet and Parliament
Bills can be introduced in both houses, but approval by House of Lords is not required
Ideas for laws come from various places, complex system to get a law made
Once goes through houses, goes to Crown for royal assent (a formality) and becomes a law – Act of Parliament
House of Commons
three functions: pass laws, provide finances for the state through taxation, review administration and government policy
Party in majority and loyal opposition with shadow cabinet
Backbenchers are less influential but play a role
Vote of no confidence can cause government to fall
Question time is the “check” on government

31. House of Lords
Almost no power among 781 members
Made up of 92 hereditary peer, 26 Lords Spiritual, rest are life peers
Only delay legislation and debate technicalities of bills
Used to have five law lords but changed with House of Lords Act of 1999
Numerous suggestions for its revision, but so far no other changes

32. Bureaucracy and Civil Service
Located along Whitehall (road that encompasses Parliament Square and many governmental ministries)
In practice shares policymaking with the cabinet
Conceptualize and refine policy
Reforms have streamlined and reshaped civil service
Top civil servants have a great deal of discretionary power to make many decisions in legislative and executive decisions

33. The Judiciary and Supreme Court
12 justices
Final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases.
Hears appeals in criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Determines devolution issues (have devolved governments acted within their powers?)
Ensures laws are consistent with EU laws and the European Convention on Human Rights
cannot overturn any primary legislation made by Parliament ( no judicial review)
Common law—precedent

34. Other State Institutions
Military: focused on NATO; Ranked top 5 in world; Involvement in Iraq unpopular – Blair tried to make the case
Police - traditionally independent but since 1980s increased government control, centralization, and politicization
Subnational Government - Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland
No constitutional powers
Considerable financial/policy discretion
West Lothian Question created
Following the election of a Conservative government in the 2015 general election, new parliamentary procedures and an English Grand Committee were enacted.
Have had devolution of power
a mayor of London – which London?
Scottish Parliament – voted down independence in 2014
National Assembly of Wales
N. Ireland Assembly (under St. Andrews Agreement)

35. Section Four: Citizens, Society, and the State

36. Multi-National Identities
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Social Class Distinction
Working class vs. middle class
Education
Ethnic Minorities
Number has grown
½ are under the age of 25
Tension with police
Muslim Minorities
Concerns over homegrown terrorism due to social class differences, link to Pakistan, UK participation in war in Iraq, lack of integration
Eastern European minorities – number is rising

37. Political beliefs and values have followed the following trajectory:
Decreasing support for labor unions
Increased violence regarding Northern Ireland
Thatcherism – rejection of noblesse oblige
New Labour – Good Friday agreement, loosened support of labor unions
Protest over Iraq War
Voting behavior
Social class patterns
Regional Patterns

38. Section Five: British Politics in Transition

39. Matters of Public Policy in Britain Today
Evolving relationship between government and the economy
Keynesianism vs. neoliberalism
Austerity programs
Welfare state
Transparency in government
Abuse of power
Political efficacy among Britons
Relationship with EU
Refusal to join the euro
Loss of sovereignty due to EU policies
Referendum in 2017 to stay
Terrorism and Violence
7/7/05 – London bombings by 4 Muslim extremists
Hate crimes grew
Knighting of Salman Rushdie created affront to Muslim community
Struggling with singling out extremists amongst moderates
Relationship with the USA
UK support of US war in Iraq caused problems
Damaged relationship with France, caused dissent in Labour Party, led to Blair’s resignation

40. Devolution and Constitutional Reform
Began process of devolution
1999 created Scottish and Welsh assemblies
1998 Good Friday Agreement set up Home Rule – 2002 to 2007 shut down due to violence
2009 two British soldiers and police constable were killed and dissident IRA terrorists claimed responsibility – brought peaceful protests across N. Ireland
Hope when leaders of Sinn Fein, Democratic Union Party, and English bosses of N. Ireland police were photographed shoulder to shoulder outside N. Ireland Assembly
Creating of office of mayor and general assembly for London
2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
44.7% yes
55.3% no