1. Chapter Eight Politics in Britain Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Country Bio: United Kingdom Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. United Kingdom  United Kingdom created in 1801, merging England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland  Britain did not become a democracy overnight.  Evolution not revolution  Democratization was a slow process  Contrasts with the dominant European practice of switching between democratic and undemocratic regimes  United Kingdom created in 1801, merging England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland  Britain did not become a democracy overnight.  Evolution not revolution  Democratization was a slow process  Contrasts with the dominant European practice of switching between democratic and undemocratic regimes Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Policy Challenges Facing Britain  General Election of 2010 - no party won majority in House of Commons.  Conservative Party of David Cameron - 307 seats  Labour Party of Gordon Brown - 258 seats  Liberal Democratic Party of Nick Clegg - 57 seats.  Conservatives, Liberal Democrats formed coalition  Government’s offices divided between Cameron as prime minister and Clegg as deputy prime minister  General Election of 2010 - no party won majority in House of Commons.  Conservative Party of David Cameron - 307 seats  Labour Party of Gordon Brown - 258 seats  Liberal Democratic Party of Nick Clegg - 57 seats.  Conservatives, Liberal Democrats formed coalition  Government’s offices divided between Cameron as prime minister and Clegg as deputy prime minister Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Policy Challenges Facing Britain  British Empire = Commonwealth  Antigua and Australia to India, Pakistan, Zambia differ in wealth, culture, commitment to democracy.  Special relationship with U.S.  Britain’s world position has declined  European Community (1957) – now EU  Britain did not join until 1973  Created more policy challenges  British Empire = Commonwealth  Antigua and Australia to India, Pakistan, Zambia differ in wealth, culture, commitment to democracy.  Special relationship with U.S.  Britain’s world position has declined  European Community (1957) – now EU  Britain did not join until 1973  Created more policy challenges Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. The Environment of Politics  One Crown but five nations  United Kingdom –  England: no English State in international law  Wales: ¼ speak Welch  Scotland: separate legal, religious, educational institutions  Northern Ireland: remainder of Ireland rebelled against Crown in 1916 and a separate Irish state in Dublin in 1921.  One Crown but five nations  United Kingdom –  England: no English State in international law  Wales: ¼ speak Welch  Scotland: separate legal, religious, educational institutions  Northern Ireland: remainder of Ireland rebelled against Crown in 1916 and a separate Irish state in Dublin in 1921. Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. The Environment of Politics  Unitary State: political system having one source of authority, British Parliament  UK is multinational state  Historically, Scotland, Wales governed by British Cabinet ministers accountable to Parliament.  Scotland/Wales (1999): responsibilities for policy given to local elected assemblies  Northern Ireland is most un-English part of UK  formally a secular polity  identity questions: Catholics and Protestants  turmoil since 1968, IRA  Unitary State: political system having one source of authority, British Parliament  UK is multinational state  Historically, Scotland, Wales governed by British Cabinet ministers accountable to Parliament.  Scotland/Wales (1999): responsibilities for policy given to local elected assemblies  Northern Ireland is most un-English part of UK  formally a secular polity  identity questions: Catholics and Protestants  turmoil since 1968, IRA Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. A Multiracial Britain  Worldwide British Empire was multiracial and so is commonwealth.  Census estimates nonwhite population of UK had risen from 74,000 to 4.6 million – 8% of UK  Since 9/11: stress integration of immigrant families into British way of life  Response to terrorist attacks:  increase police powers  restrictions on asylum seekers  deportation made easier  Worldwide British Empire was multiracial and so is commonwealth.  Census estimates nonwhite population of UK had risen from 74,000 to 4.6 million – 8% of UK  Since 9/11: stress integration of immigrant families into British way of life  Response to terrorist attacks:  increase police powers  restrictions on asylum seekers  deportation made easier Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. The Legacy of History  1940-44, Churchill: laid foundation for welfare state  1951-64, Churchill, Eden, MacMillan – Conservatives  maintained consensus on mixed economy welfare state – led to consumer prosperity.  1964, Wilson – Labour  1970-74, Heath - Conservatives  Britain becomes member of European Community  1940-44, Churchill: laid foundation for welfare state  1951-64, Churchill, Eden, MacMillan – Conservatives  maintained consensus on mixed economy welfare state – led to consumer prosperity.  1964, Wilson – Labour  1970-74, Heath - Conservatives  Britain becomes member of European Community Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. The Legacy of History  1979, Margaret Thatcher – Conservatives  Policies of free-market and privatization  Thatcher never won more than 43% of total vote but division within other parties helped her win  replaced by John Major  1994, Tony Blair – Labour  2 nd longest serving prime minister of past century  Successor – 2007 – Gordon Brown  1979, Margaret Thatcher – Conservatives  Policies of free-market and privatization  Thatcher never won more than 43% of total vote but division within other parties helped her win  replaced by John Major  1994, Tony Blair – Labour  2 nd longest serving prime minister of past century  Successor – 2007 – Gordon Brown Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

13. The Structure of Government  Crown rather than a constitution symbolizes the authority of government.  Monarch only ceremonial head of state.  What constitutes the Crown?  Government  Government officials  Whitehall  Downing Street  Parliament  Collectively referred to as Westminster  Crown rather than a constitution symbolizes the authority of government.  Monarch only ceremonial head of state.  What constitutes the Crown?  Government  Government officials  Whitehall  Downing Street  Parliament  Collectively referred to as Westminster Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

15. The Structure of Government  Unwritten constitution:  Acts Of Parliament  Judicial Pronouncements  Customs and Conventions  Few constraints in unwritten constitution:  Vagueness makes it flexible  Can be changed by majority vote in Parliament or by government choosing to act in unprecedented manner  English courts claim no power to declare act of Parliament unconstitutional  Unwritten constitution:  Acts Of Parliament  Judicial Pronouncements  Customs and Conventions  Few constraints in unwritten constitution:  Vagueness makes it flexible  Can be changed by majority vote in Parliament or by government choosing to act in unprecedented manner  English courts claim no power to declare act of Parliament unconstitutional Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

17. What the Prime Minister Says and Does  Political Leader  Ambiguous Duties  Imperatives of the Prime Minister:  Winning elections  Campaigning through the media  Patronage  Parliamentary performance  Making and balancing policies  Political Leader  Ambiguous Duties  Imperatives of the Prime Minister:  Winning elections  Campaigning through the media  Patronage  Parliamentary performance  Making and balancing policies Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. The Cabinet and Cabinet Ministers  Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister  Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords  Remain important as department heads  Major Whitehall departments differ greatly from each other  Political reputation of ministers depends on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall  Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister  Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords  Remain important as department heads  Major Whitehall departments differ greatly from each other  Political reputation of ministers depends on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

20. The Civil Service  Largest number of civil servants are clerical staff with little discretion  Most important group of civil servants is smallest group  Advise ministers, oversee work of their departments  Top civil servants are bipartisan, ready to work for whichever party is winner  Thatcher: focus on making civil service more businesslike  Largest number of civil servants are clerical staff with little discretion  Most important group of civil servants is smallest group  Advise ministers, oversee work of their departments  Top civil servants are bipartisan, ready to work for whichever party is winner  Thatcher: focus on making civil service more businesslike Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

21. The Role of Parliament  Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party.  If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if it is defeated  MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs  Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament  Government rather than Parliament sets budget  Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party.  If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if it is defeated  MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs  Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament  Government rather than Parliament sets budget Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

22. The Role of Parliament  Functions of MPs:  weigh political reputations  publicize issues  scrutinize legislation  examine how Whitehall departments administer public policies  MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers  Functions of MPs:  weigh political reputations  publicize issues  scrutinize legislation  examine how Whitehall departments administer public policies  MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

23. The Role of Parliament  House of Lords  Unique as second chamber because initially composed of hereditary peers  1999: Labour abolished right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords  Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters  Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills  Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills  House of Lords  Unique as second chamber because initially composed of hereditary peers  1999: Labour abolished right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords  Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters  Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills  Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

24. The Courts and Abuses of Power  Supreme Court created as highest judicial authority, 2009  Replaced old practice of highest court being committee of House of Lords  Court consists of president and 11 justices  Serves as final appeal on points of law  Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of Parliament unconstitutional  Supreme Court created as highest judicial authority, 2009  Replaced old practice of highest court being committee of House of Lords  Court consists of president and 11 justices  Serves as final appeal on points of law  Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of Parliament unconstitutional Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

25. Government as Network  Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies  Prime Minister  Cabinet Ministers  In coalition government major decisions cannot be made by single politician  Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies  Prime Minister  Cabinet Ministers  In coalition government major decisions cannot be made by single politician Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

26. Political Culture and Legitimacy  Trusteeship Theory of Government: leaders take initiative  Collectivist Theory of Government: government balances competing demands  Individualist Theory of Government: parties represent people not geoups  Trusteeship Theory of Government: leaders take initiative  Collectivist Theory of Government: government balances competing demands  Individualist Theory of Government: parties represent people not geoups Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

27. Political Culture and Legitimacy  Evidenced by readiness of British people to comply with basic political laws  Not related to economic calculations  Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy  Habit and tradition  Evidenced by readiness of British people to comply with basic political laws  Not related to economic calculations  Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy  Habit and tradition Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

29. Political Socialization  Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate  Family and Gender: create youthful identification with party  Education: more educated not as likely to be conservative as once were  Class: Conservative = middle class, Labour = working class  Mass Media: only a few papers, TV is primary source of news  Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate  Family and Gender: create youthful identification with party  Education: more educated not as likely to be conservative as once were  Class: Conservative = middle class, Labour = working class  Mass Media: only a few papers, TV is primary source of news Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

31. Political Participation  Voting: competitive elections bring higher turnout  Sign Petitions  Contact Politicians  Party Volunteers  Most politically involved are no more than 1/10 of 1 percent of electorate.  Voting: competitive elections bring higher turnout  Sign Petitions  Contact Politicians  Party Volunteers  Most politically involved are no more than 1/10 of 1 percent of electorate. Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

33. Political Recruitment  Important political roles:  Cabinet minister  higher civil servant  partisan advisers  intermittent public persons  Each group has own recruitment pattern  Starting early on political career necessary for success  Geography –career will be spent in London  Important political roles:  Cabinet minister  higher civil servant  partisan advisers  intermittent public persons  Each group has own recruitment pattern  Starting early on political career necessary for success  Geography –career will be spent in London Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

34. Organizing Group Interests  Civil society institutions flourished in Britain for centuries  Confederation of British Industries: big business, direct contacts with Whitehall  Trades Union Congress: labor  Voluntary/Charitable Associations  Civil society institutions flourished in Britain for centuries  Confederation of British Industries: big business, direct contacts with Whitehall  Trades Union Congress: labor  Voluntary/Charitable Associations Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

35. What Interest Groups Want  Most interest groups pursue three goals:  sympathetic administration of established policies  information about government policies and changes in policies  influence on policymaking  Insider Interest Groups: have values in harmony with all parties  Outsider Interest Groups: demands are inconsistent with party in power  Keeping Interest Groups at a Distance: less reliance on negotiations with groups and more on authority of Crown  Most interest groups pursue three goals:  sympathetic administration of established policies  information about government policies and changes in policies  influence on policymaking  Insider Interest Groups: have values in harmony with all parties  Outsider Interest Groups: demands are inconsistent with party in power  Keeping Interest Groups at a Distance: less reliance on negotiations with groups and more on authority of Crown Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

36. Party System and Electoral Choice  General election must occur at least once every five years  Prime minister is free to call election any time  Winner is candidate who is first past the post (plurality)  Winner nationally is party that gains most seats  Two party system vs. multiparty system  Distribution of seats in House of Commons different from distribution of share of votes  General election must occur at least once every five years  Prime minister is free to call election any time  Winner is candidate who is first past the post (plurality)  Winner nationally is party that gains most seats  Two party system vs. multiparty system  Distribution of seats in House of Commons different from distribution of share of votes Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

40. Party Images and Appeals  Terminology of left/right rejected by British voters  median voter tends to choose central position, a tenth on far left or far right  consensus among voters on variety of issues; economy, crime, health service major concerns  parties emphasize collectivist economic interests and consensual goals  Governing party has votes to enact parliamentary legislation, regardless of protests by opposition  New governments must also enforce the laws enacted by the previous governments  Terminology of left/right rejected by British voters  median voter tends to choose central position, a tenth on far left or far right  consensus among voters on variety of issues; economy, crime, health service major concerns  parties emphasize collectivist economic interests and consensual goals  Governing party has votes to enact parliamentary legislation, regardless of protests by opposition  New governments must also enforce the laws enacted by the previous governments Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

41. Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies  Unitary state, political authority is centralized  Decisions are binding on public agencies through Acts of Parliament and regulations  Treasury must authorize expenditures before bill can be put to Parliament  Minister must pilot bill through Parliament  Minister may also negotiate agreement with public agencies outside and with affected interest groups  Unitary state, political authority is centralized  Decisions are binding on public agencies through Acts of Parliament and regulations  Treasury must authorize expenditures before bill can be put to Parliament  Minister must pilot bill through Parliament  Minister may also negotiate agreement with public agencies outside and with affected interest groups Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

42. Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies  Devolution to Elected Officials:  Local government is subordinate to central government  Scotland and Wales to representative assemblies  Local council elections fought on party lines  Local government divided into two tiers of county, district councils, each with responsibility for local services  Central government grants are largest source of local government revenue  Devolution to Elected Officials:  Local government is subordinate to central government  Scotland and Wales to representative assemblies  Local council elections fought on party lines  Local government divided into two tiers of county, district councils, each with responsibility for local services  Central government grants are largest source of local government revenue Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

43. Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies  Nonelected Institutions:  Executive agencies  National Health Service (NHS)  Quasi-Autonomous Nongovernmental Organizations  Advisory Committees  Administrative Tribunals  Turning to the Market  Privatization  Nonelected Institutions:  Executive agencies  National Health Service (NHS)  Quasi-Autonomous Nongovernmental Organizations  Advisory Committees  Administrative Tribunals  Turning to the Market  Privatization Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

44. Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies  From Trust to Contract:  Civil service has relied on trust in delivering policies  Government buying from private sector  The Contingency of Influence:  Theory of British government is centralist.  All roads lead to Downing Street  Influence varies with problem  From Trust to Contract:  Civil service has relied on trust in delivering policies  Government buying from private sector  The Contingency of Influence:  Theory of British government is centralist.  All roads lead to Downing Street  Influence varies with problem Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

45. Why Public Policy Matters  Government relies on three major resources to produce benefits of public policy:  Laws – unique resource of government; contracts are only effective if enforced  Money – taxes on incomes and consumption and stealth taxes  Personnel – public employees are needed to administer laws and deliver services  Social security most costly program of British government  Government relies on three major resources to produce benefits of public policy:  Laws – unique resource of government; contracts are only effective if enforced  Money – taxes on incomes and consumption and stealth taxes  Personnel – public employees are needed to administer laws and deliver services  Social security most costly program of British government Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

47. Policy Outcomes in Society  Outputs of public policy play significant part in everyday lives of Britons  Benefits received are especially important for low-income families  Average family makes use of at least two major social programs: health and education services  Broad agreement about need to make economy more competitive in global economy  Differences of opinion about policy that can best achieve goal  Outputs of public policy play significant part in everyday lives of Britons  Benefits received are especially important for low-income families  Average family makes use of at least two major social programs: health and education services  Broad agreement about need to make economy more competitive in global economy  Differences of opinion about policy that can best achieve goal Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.