1. UNITED KINGDOM “The British happened to the rest of the world. Now the world happens to Britain.” Andrew Marr –British journalist and political commentator –Editor of The Independent” and Political Editor for the BBC

2. UNITED KINGDOM Why is the UK included in a course on Comparative Government?

4. GREAT BRITAIN What is the formal name for this country?

5. GREAT BRITAIN The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

6. GREAT BRITAIN What does this country consist of?

7. GREAT BRITAIN What is the historical core of the country?

8. GREAT BRITAIN What is the historical core of the country? England

9. GREAT BRITAIN What is “Britain”?

10. GREAT BRITAIN What is “Britain”? It consists of England and its Celtic neighbors of Wales and Scotland

11. GREAT BRITAIN Where do the Irish come in?

12. GREAT BRITAIN In 1922, Ireland got its independence but the 6 heavily Protestant counties of Northern Ireland voted to remain with the Crown. Protestants call this area Ulster

13. GREAT BRITAIN So where do these regions fall in the big picture? Take out your blank map.

14. GREAT BRITAIN

16. GREAT BRITAIN What is the capital city of the UK?

17. GREAT BRITAIN LONDON – Groovy Baby! Big Ben – the Parliament Clock Tower

18. GREAT BRITAIN LONDON – Groovy Baby! The Tube

19. GREAT BRITAIN LONDON – Groovy Baby!

20. GREAT BRITAIN What are the other big cities?

21. GREAT BRITAIN England = Birmingham and Manchester Wales = Cardiff Scotland= Glasgow and Edinburgh NI = Belfast

22. GREAT BRITAIN

23. GREAT BRITAIN What is the size of the UK?

24. GREAT BRITAIN What is the size of the UK? Approx 250,000 sq. miles – So? It is 2 islands about the size of California

25. GREAT BRITAIN What does the size and make up of the UK mean for the country?

26. GREAT BRITAIN See any potential problems geographically???

27. GREAT BRITAIN What is the Population of the UK?

28. GREAT BRITAIN What is the Population of the UK? Approx 60 million +

29. GREAT BRITAIN What does the population statistic mean for the UK?

30. GREAT BRITAIN It is a very congested country with 70% of the people living in urban areas and most between London and Newcastle

31. GREAT BRITAIN However, ½ of the country is open pastureland with millions of sheep

32. GREAT BRITAIN Demographic breakdown of the 60 million people: 81.5% English2.8% other 9.6% Scottish 2.4% Irish 1.9% Welsh 1.8% Northern Ireland

33. GREAT BRITAIN 94.2% white 5.8% other – African, Asian, or Caribbean What issues are involved with the population?

34. GREAT BRITAIN After 9/11 and Britain’s recent terrorist attacks, some Conservatives pushed for an end to immigration and repatriation

35. GREAT BRITAIN Scotland Wales are significant minorities in the system and they want more autonomy if not independence.

36. GREAT BRITAIN Irish Catholic and Protestant Issues are improved but never far from chaos again.

37. GREAT BRITAIN Religious Differences??? The country is made up predominantly of Anglicans who belong to the Church of England

38. GREAT BRITAIN Religious Differences??? 9 million Catholics 1 million Muslims 1.5 million other Protestants A Rising Indian population (Sikh, Hindu Small population of Jewish

39. GREAT BRITAIN Religious Differences??? Potential Problem with the Church of England being the official, established religion so it gets funding and state support with 20 officials in House of Lords

40. GREAT BRITAIN Is Social Class an issue in British society?

41. GREAT BRITAIN Yes it is Baby! Upper and Middle class are self-assured and arrogant due to generations of wealth and prestigious private schools Different dress, accents, and sports by classes

42. Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries (formerly connected to Britain) that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/ 191086/191247/the_commonwealth/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/ 191086/191247/the_commonwealth/

43. Commonwealth of Nations Member countries span six continents and oceans from Africa (19) to Asia (8), the Americas (2), the Caribbean (12), Europe (3) and the South Pacific (10).

44. Commonwealth of Nations

45. Conclusion Back to the Opening Quote – So what does it mean?