1. Great Britain
By: Cam, Justin and Abby

2. Historical, Cultural and Social Factors
The United Kingdom includes: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
The UK was formed by uniting the countries under a single monarchy and legislative parliament (located in London England)
Each country is its own country with different traditions and culture
Politically they all work together and share a higher power
It’s like the US, each country has its own laws that is specific to that country then there is a federal government
Great Britain includes England, Scotland, Wales. Northern Ireland is separate from Great Britain but is a part of the UK
Great Britain is made up of countries that are homogenous with both similar and different cultures and traditions

3. Historical, Cultural and Social Factors (continued)
The UK is made up of independent nations with common institutions
They are different when it comes to sociality and consumer behaviors
Some clear similarities are support in the monarchy, political parties and soccer teams. These are looked as contemporary localism
Religious and ethnic differentiation are also important
All the countries in the nation have the same political parties but each country has different parties that are the majority
Social class has always been prominent in these nations
One of the nation's largest exports have been culture and the English language

4. Role of non government organizations
Non governmental organizations are nonprofit organizations, voluntary citizen groups which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good
Help to bring citizen’s concerns to governments, monitor policy and implementation, and encourage participation of civil society stakeholders at community level.
Serve as early warning mechanisms and monitor and implement international agreements.
Some organizations help specific issues such as human rights, the environment or health.

5. How the UK seeks goals and exercises power
The UK doesn’t have a formal document with a written set of rules of government. Like the US has the constitution.
The british rules are formed from various sources including state law made by judges and international treaties.
The cabinet is formed of the most senior government ministers chosen by the prime minister. It is the committee at the center of the British political system and the decision making body in government.
Formal members of the cabinet are drawn exclusively from the house of commons and the house of lords.
New ministerial offices may be created, others may be abolished and functions may be transferred from one minister to another.

6. Policy approaches to a given problem
Politics in the UK are within the guidelines of a constitutional monarchy, in the monarch Queen Elizabeth is head of state and the prime minister is the head of the government.
The powers once exercised by the monarch have been transferred to the ministers.
The monarch retains the power to exercise person discretion over issues such as appointing the prime minister and dissolving parliament.
Custom dictates that the Queen follows ministerial advice.

7. Strengths of British Government
No constitution means there’s rarely any trouble changing out dated ideals.
As a UK citizen you are protected by often relatively new laws and is a highly adaptable system.
An easily adaptable and strong government where people and businesses trust in the government and has made business reliable to where they don’t have to worry about their business being in Britain.
In the UK the head of legislature (parliament) is also the executive. Who ever commands the confidence of the house of commons is the prime minister so you never really end up with disagreements. Like the US government has congress.

8. Weaknesses of British government
No historical constitution leaves your protections a little less secure in the long term.
While the 2 party system does often lead to strong government it is a big trade off it is a lot less democratically representative than a proportional representation.
The rules that keep the UK running are not laws but simply conventions which means these conventions are not as secure as laws and if a party decides to no longer abide by them it can create a bit of a crisis.
The Queen could disband parliament and declare war whenever she wanted.
The power of the government is under the prime minister which means the single leader has far more power and can make more of a change in their short term than any US president could ever dream of doing because of congress and the constitution.

9. Examination of political economy and development
From Britain was considered “the workshop of the world” due to their goods and the efficiency and being able to make products at low prices
In 1870 Britain had ⅓ of its population employed in the manufacturing business
Before the World War II Britain’s economic situation was already in the hole.
There was mass unemployment rates that started in the 1920’s
Along with high unemployment, there was deflation and cut wages for the workers in Britain
By the early 1970’s, due to the high unemployment and low growth, Britain was known as “the sick man of Europe” because of how poorly the economy was performing

10. Examination of political economy and development continued
After World war 2 Britain went through many different economic and social models, that depended on which political party was ruling the country at that time.
To help many state intervention and welfare policies were seen as needed.
This was when they were known as “sick man of Europe” because the economy was performing badly.
Mid 1990’s they avoided high unemployment and recession which erupted in the united states in 2007 and affect many other European countries.
Britain improved from a per capita income ranking of 5th in 1997 to 2nd in 2006
Britain economy shows a dual character, One side with high technology sectors and lacks in manufacturing and high rates of unemployment.
Steady growth is what made Britain’s economy, since former prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s market reforms in the 1980’s the worlds 5th largest.

11. Works Cited
-Kishlansky, Mark A., et al. “United Kingdom.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 12 Mar. 2019,
-“United Kingdom.” Countries and Their Cultures, Z/United-Kingdom.html.
-Thomas, William Harford, and Peter Kellner. “England.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 10 Jan. 2019,
-Black, Jeremy. Britain since the Seventies: Politics and Society in the Consumer Age. Reaktion, 2004.