An Introduction Great Britain England Scotland Wales United
An Introduction
• Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales • United Kingdom of Great Britain: Britain + N. Ireland • Scotland has its own bank notes and legal system • England, Wales, Scotland Northern Ireland all have their own international soccer teams • Population is around 66 million, 70% urban • About 2/3 are Protestant; 10% are Catholic • Between 5 -10% are non-white (African, Asian or Caribbean) • Quality of life is relatively good, but not on par with US or Germany or France • Clothing, cars, school and sports they follow highlight a person’s social class in UK
� Britain was included in the study of comparative politics for four reasons: Liberal democracy flourished in Great Britain over a long period of time known as gradualism 1. Gradualism has its roots in the Magna Carta As British democracy grew, gradualism led to a postwar collective consensus 2. Collective consensus gave way to a mixed economy welfare state Britain had been one of the world’s great powers for 500 years and still strong enough to have a seat on the UN Security Council 4. It’s political system was similar to other Englishspeaking countries, therefore, easy for readers to start with 3.
� Gradualism is still a valid study in British politics and history � Britain is not the global strength it once was �Global ranking has shrunk over past 30 years �Collective consensus disappeared in the 1970 s �Britain’s historical role and how it helps us understand the development of democracy is critical in comparative politics International Rank in GNP per Capita Country 1939 1960 1974 1995 2000 USA 1 1 3 5 3 GB 2 6 14 18 14 Source: Hauss, Comparative Politics, p 71
TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF GREAT BRITAIN � Trend One: Gradualism � the historical shifts in British democratic history that are rooted in the Magna Carta � Britain has enjoyed more consensual history than other democracies; this helps smooth the demographic transitions � It did have religious unrest, violence, class conflict during democratization, but spread it out over a number of centuries � Trend Two: Britain has had many troubles for a stable democratic country � The collectivist period (1960 s) gave way to riots, labor strikes and union busting in 70 s & 80 s � Great Britain is no longer one of the wealthier democracies in the world � Britain is not a poor country, but production has lagged behind
TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF GREAT BRITAIN � Trend Three: Political Conservatism � Conservative governments redefined British political life in the 80 s and early 90 s � Collective consensus gave way to free-market privatization � Thatcherism crushed unions, privatized dozens of industries, reduced spending on social services and opposed British involvement in Europe (Euro-skeptics) � Her supporters argue she saved the UK from economic disaster � Her opponents argue she left Britain a heartless, uncompassionate government who divided its citizens � Trend Four: New Labour � Tony Blair’s New Labour re-wrote the political rules in Britain � Labour Party’s goals were re-defined to include a mixed economic system � Nationalization of industry was abandoned, but a closer relationship between business, labor and government was formed
The British happened to the rest of the world. Now the rest of the world happens to Britain. - Andrew Marr; BBC journalist - Hauss, 68
- Slides: 7