1. Citizens, Society, and the State AP Comparative GovernmentAP Comparative Government

2. Multi-national Identities The U.K. evolved from four different nations: England, Wales, Scotland, and part of Ireland The U.K. evolved from four different nations: England, Wales, Scotland, and part of Ireland This bringing together of many nations to create one country is the root of many of the conflicts throughout the country This bringing together of many nations to create one country is the root of many of the conflicts throughout the country England: England: This is the largest region of Great Britain and contains the largest population This is the largest region of Great Britain and contains the largest population The British currently have a larger proportion of power throughout the U.K. than do the other entities The British currently have a larger proportion of power throughout the U.K. than do the other entities Wales: Wales: Wales is west of England and became subject to the English in the 16 th century Wales is west of England and became subject to the English in the 16 th century The Welsh are proud that their language is still being taught in school and still feel some resentment towards England’s rule The Welsh are proud that their language is still being taught in school and still feel some resentment towards England’s rule They also have their own national flag called the Plaid Cymru They also have their own national flag called the Plaid Cymru

3. Multi-national Identities Scotland: Scotland: Scotland joined Britain due to an intermarriage of families in the 17 th century Scotland joined Britain due to an intermarriage of families in the 17 th century This is despite years of refusing to yield to Britain This is despite years of refusing to yield to Britain Scots still think of themselves as being very different than the British and display their pride with their own national flag and Scottish Parliament Scots still think of themselves as being very different than the British and display their pride with their own national flag and Scottish Parliament Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland: Religious issues have existed between England and Ireland for centuries Religious issues have existed between England and Ireland for centuries After World War I Ireland was grated the right of home rule, except for the northeast corner where protestants outnumbered Catholics After World War I Ireland was grated the right of home rule, except for the northeast corner where protestants outnumbered Catholics The Irish Republican Army (IRA) used guerilla warfare tactics to convince the British to allow Irish independence The Irish Republican Army (IRA) used guerilla warfare tactics to convince the British to allow Irish independence In 1949 Ireland was allowed total independence except for the northeast section In 1949 Ireland was allowed total independence except for the northeast section

4. Social Classes Today the most important classes are the working class and the middle-class Today the most important classes are the working class and the middle-class These two classes are not easily divided by income, but are more psychological and subjective These two classes are not easily divided by income, but are more psychological and subjective The working class is more focused on keeping the old job, living in the old neighborhood, and keeping close to family and friends The working class is more focused on keeping the old job, living in the old neighborhood, and keeping close to family and friends The school system also reinforces this class system The school system also reinforces this class system The private and upper class schools train middle class students to take over elite positions in the government and in society The private and upper class schools train middle class students to take over elite positions in the government and in society

5. Ethnic Minorities As of 2001 only about 7.1% of the British population was of non-European origin As of 2001 only about 7.1% of the British population was of non-European origin The largest ethnic groups include: The largest ethnic groups include: Indian Indian Pakistani Pakistani Afro-Caribbean Afro-Caribbean Black African Black African Because of past immigration restrictions, most ethnic minorities are young Because of past immigration restrictions, most ethnic minorities are young The increase in ethnic minorities have caused issues throughout England The increase in ethnic minorities have caused issues throughout England In 2001 their were race riots, issues with the Muslim population arose after 9/11, and in 2011 there were another round of race riots In 2001 their were race riots, issues with the Muslim population arose after 9/11, and in 2011 there were another round of race riots

6. The Muslim Population In our Post 9/11 world, and because of major attacks in Britain (7/7/07 attack, and multiple car/bus bombings), there is a level of distrust when dealing with Muslim citizens. This issues stem from: In our Post 9/11 world, and because of major attacks in Britain (7/7/07 attack, and multiple car/bus bombings), there is a level of distrust when dealing with Muslim citizens. This issues stem from: Muslims being a distinct minority throughout Britain Muslims being a distinct minority throughout Britain High levels of unemployment and poverty amongst Muslim citizens High levels of unemployment and poverty amongst Muslim citizens A high level of Pakistani Muslims, who are felt to have stronger ties to al- Qaeda A high level of Pakistani Muslims, who are felt to have stronger ties to al- Qaeda The British support of the Iraq war The British support of the Iraq war A lack of minority integration A lack of minority integration

7. Political Values British civic culture is characterized by trust, deference to authority and competence, pragmatism, and harmony British civic culture is characterized by trust, deference to authority and competence, pragmatism, and harmony There are high percentages of people who vote, acceptance of authority, tolerance for different points of view, and acceptance of the rules of the game There are high percentages of people who vote, acceptance of authority, tolerance for different points of view, and acceptance of the rules of the game This is even despite economic crisis and recent rioting This is even despite economic crisis and recent rioting

8. Political Values There has been a decrease in support of labor unions There has been a decrease in support of labor unions Strikes during the 1970’s helped change the view of Unions and they began to be viewed as bullies Strikes during the 1970’s helped change the view of Unions and they began to be viewed as bullies Increased violence regarding Northern Ireland Increased violence regarding Northern Ireland Religious conflict escalated in the 1970’s with “bloody Sunday” in which 13 Catholic’s were killed Religious conflict escalated in the 1970’s with “bloody Sunday” in which 13 Catholic’s were killed Religious conflict exists even now Religious conflict exists even now Thatcherism Thatcherism This was the push by Margaret Thatcher to move towards a free market economy and away from social welfare programs This was the push by Margaret Thatcher to move towards a free market economy and away from social welfare programs New Labour New Labour This was the movement headed by Tony Blair to move the Labour party more the center and worked to encourage compromise in government This was the movement headed by Tony Blair to move the Labour party more the center and worked to encourage compromise in government Protests over the Iraq War Protests over the Iraq War Blair lost his support over his support of the U.S. in the Iraq War. This lead to his resignation Blair lost his support over his support of the U.S. in the Iraq War. This lead to his resignation

9. Voting Behavior Normally more than 70% of eligible citizens normally vote in parliamentary election Normally more than 70% of eligible citizens normally vote in parliamentary election There is less party loyalty in the past, but voting behavior is largely based on social class and region There is less party loyalty in the past, but voting behavior is largely based on social class and region Social Class: Social Class: Traditionally the working class has supported the Labour Party and the middle class vote Conservative Traditionally the working class has supported the Labour Party and the middle class vote Conservative This has been blurred by the parties moving more to the center This has been blurred by the parties moving more to the center Regional Factors: Regional Factors: The Labour Party usually does well in urban and industrial areas and in Scotland and Wales The Labour Party usually does well in urban and industrial areas and in Scotland and Wales Conservatives usually win in England’s rural and suburban areas Conservatives usually win in England’s rural and suburban areas