1. BRITAIN: SOVEREIGNTY, AUTHORITY, AND POWER AP Comparative Government

2. LEGITIMACY  The legitimacy of Great Britain has developed gradually over the last few centuries  Britain was originally based upon traditional legitimacy, with a hereditary ruling family  Britain currently runs as a democracy  Most citizens accept that there is a connection between the church and the state  Britain finds its legitimacy through custom, common law, and important documents. This is known as the “Constitution of the Crown”  There is no formal constitution in Britain

3. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS  Britain’s political system is based upon rational-legal authority. The documents and concepts below helped establish that authority.  Magna Carta-  In 1215, this document was signed by King John and he agreed to consult nobles before he made political decisions, especially taxes. This sets up the idea of a limited government.  The Petition of Right-  This document helped reestablish laws such as habeas corpus and trial by jury.  The English Bill of Rights-  This document lists rights retained by Parliament, allowing them to take control of some of the kings power  Common Law-  This is a legal system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal codes

4. POLITICAL TRADITIONS  Political traditions in Britain are drawn from a variety of sources. These include  The shaping of the monarchy-  The monarchy has gradually devolved from an all powerful monarchy to a figure head with the role of head of state  The ascendancy of Parliament-  Parliament was able to fill the power vacuum left by the reduction in monarchal power. Parliament has survived through revolution and time

5. POLITICAL TRADITIONS  Challenges of the Industrial Revolution-  The explosion of the Industrial Revolution brought great wealth  This moved peasants from the fields into cities to work in factories.  The creation of merchant, business, and factory jobs spurred individuals who wanted a say in the government  Colonialism-  Nationalism and industrialization helped spur the colonial era.  Britain felt nationalistically superior to the rest of the world and need raw goods to drive the Industrial Revolution  Britain gradually lost their colonial claims throughout the 18 th and 19 th centuries

6. POLITICAL TRADITIONS  Britain in the 20 th and 21 st centuries  Britain’s power and influence waned after the two World Wars  In the mid 20 th century Britain became a welfare state that was eventually curtailed in the 1980’s by Margaret Thatcher  This was known as “Thatcherism”  Current political power in Britain is divided as the parliament is currently run by a coalition government

7. POLITICAL CULTURE  Britain is a very nationalistic state  Britain also reflects the concept of insularity, or a feeling of separation from the continent of Europe  They are also cautious in regards to involvement with other European Nations  This has lead to issues regarding British involvement in the EU  Great Britain has retained their right to use the Pound rather than the Euro  Britain has often practiced noblesse oblique (traditionally practiced by the more traditional parts of the Conservative party.)  This refers to the practice of the upper classes taking responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes  This is one reason why the welfare state became so popular in the middle of the 20 th century and the propensity for Britain to try and extend their power over the rest of the world

8. POLITICAL CULTURE  Multi-nationalism  Britain is largely culturally homogenous  They do however encompass entities such as England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all of which have been independent at some point in their history  This and the conflicts between Protestantism and Catholicism makeup the main cultural issues in Britain  British citizens are generally willing to obey the law  Britain has one of the smallest police forces amongst democratic nations  There is a growing Muslim population in Britain as well, which has caused some issues in the post 9/11world