1. The UK: Country and People
16 January 2017 by
Sigrid Brevik Wangsness

2. I. Terminology The UK = Britain The UK vs. Great Britain
The British Isles
a) Two large islands
b) Many small islands
The geographical and political units do not coincide.
The British people: The British, Britons

4. II. National Characteristics and Values
What do you consider ”typical” for the British people?
Problems of stereotyping/ generalizations
Outside vs. inside perspectives – nuances
Is there one British national identity?
Unifying factors?
Not one national character, but national characteristics? Britishness vs. the end of the Union

5. III. The Country and the People: Past and Present
The make-up of the British population
a) Origin (population movements)
b) Four major nationalities
“A glorious past”: the empire
Colonies
Multicultural Britain today

6. Britain’s present influence on the world
The English language
Technology/ science
Authors
Music
Sports
Entertainment
Business
Politics

7. IV. England as the Dominant Nation in the UK
Historically
Numerically
E: m S: m W: m
NI: m (approx.)
The UK: 65m (approx.)

8. V. Britain in the World Today
Britain and the Commonwealth
Still important?
Britain and the USA
Still “a special relationship”?
Britain and Europe
Most important, but Brexit…

10. “A medium-sized power with global influence"?
Britain’s global role today:
self-perception vs. reality?
Both diplomatic and interventionist?
Keep its military strength?
Trade

11. VI. Divisions in British Society
How united is the United Kingdom?
The (Dis)United Kingdom?
Regional divisions (January 16)
Racial and ethnic divisions (February 27)
Class divisions (February 27)
Divisions in education (January 23)

12. Regional Divisions
Devolution (definition):
Why devolution? 1. 2. 3. 4

13. Devolution
Scotland
Referendum on independence in September 2014: “No”!
Powers of the UK Parliament
Powers of the Scottish Parliament

14. The West Lothian question
Devolution
Wales
Powers of the Welsh Assembly
England?
The West Lothian question

15. Devolution Northern Ireland “The Troubles” Solution through devolution
The Northern Ireland Assembly