What are British Values What are British Values
What are British Values?
What are British Values? How do we begin to define Britishness?
British Values are those things upon which, collectively, we place value (we consider them valuable, important)
British Values are not what each individual personally consider to be “important” (those are personal values)
British Values are by their very nature a collective “world view” (a general outlook that governs the way we make decisions)
British Values have developed over time, and especially since 1707 – the Act of Union – when local interests became synonymous with national (British) interests
Let’s look at British values along 4 distinct “vectors” – four different elements of national and personal life – and how they interact
Then let’s look at some “values” to which most Britons will subscribe
OK – the word “vectors” sounds a bit academic – let’s just focus on that. . .
Vectors: A “vector” is a line of direction – in science its the idea of direction + quantity We can think of it like this:
Vectors: Self awareness and self understanding vs. Collective and national temperament
Personal Cosmological Vector
Ouch! Another complex sounding idea. A personal cosmological vector. What do we mean?
Personal Cosmological Vector This is a person’s philosophical or religious approach to the world as we find it. . .
Personal Cosmological Vector Why are we here and what is my place in the world?
Whether one is religious or completely irreligious, it is inevitable that each individual will have some cosmological framework
Such frameworks are not set in stone – they can change over time But they are there. . . Personal Cosmological Vector
For this discussion we will call this the Man and God Dynamic
We repeat this dynamic is not restricted to conventionally “religious” people – each person has some “framework” irrespective of what they personally believe
Let’s plot this on our flag. . .
God Man
So that’s the vertical “vector” – it governs the way we approach the world
For many people there will not be a “God” in their conscious thinking. . .
For these people the idea of “God” is directly replaced with “Nothing” Such a framework still “informs” their worldview
For our discussion, though, we will continue to call it the “God-Man” vector
This is the first “vector” along which values will be formed What is the second?
The second is like the first and is an extension of it
Societal Cosmological Vector
Ouch! Yet another complex sounding idea. A societal cosmological vector. What on earth do we mean?
This is really about our collective views about how society is to organise itself. Historically in Britain – and probably in most western countries – this tends to coalesce around the concepts of church and state.
Church and State – how do they coexist in a manner satisfactory to both?
Plainly this concept links directly with the Personal Cosmological Vector Most people – irrespective of personal beliefs – look for a balance of interests. Why?
Historically most people look for this balance, recognising that the two “great estates” act as a counterbalance to each other – denying both absolute power
Church State
We repeat – these ideas are independent of a person’s particular “beliefs” about the cosmos and their place in it
These ideas give us a framework of reference. Held by a vast majority of people, these ideas “inform” our value system.
What have we got so far?
God Church State Man
What is the third “vector”?
The third “vector” we can call the “individual vector”
This is about how individuals view themselves and their place as individuals in wider society
Its true, again, that everyone will have their own framework to understand this dynamic
Do these frameworks influence national characteristics and so influence national value systems?
You decide. . . .
Individual Vector
The individual vector helps us to focus on basic questions like: Ø what do we want from life? Ø what makes us “tick”? Ø who are we?
But the individual vector also helps us to focus on how we interact with other individuals and with society at large:
Value of the individual Personal Responsibility
Value of the individual We repeat – this is about. . ØWhat do we want from life? Ø what makes us “tick”? Ø who are we?
Value of the individual This is how we view ourselves as individuals
But how we view ourselves as individuals is “balanced” in some way by our views about how we relate to each other Personal Responsibility
What responsibility do we have to other people – and to what we call “society”? Personal Responsibility
And the fourth vector?
We can think of this as being the national-communal vector
Again this sounds a bit complex. But really we can say it is Britain’s GPS – our “global positioning system” How does it work?
“GPS” Vector
“GPS” Vector National-communal: How do we relate to ourselves as a Nation? How do we relate to other Nations?
“GPS” Vector We can think of this as two elements that have to be finely balanced – Britain’s desire to be outward looking – and Britain’s desire for national independence
“GPS” Vector A tough nut to crack!
Outwardlooking “GPS” Vector Independence
“GPS” Vector We can characterise this as being the way we think about ourselves as a united kingdom, and the way we think about other nations across the planet
“GPS” Vector Britons have always been an outward looking people. As a seafaring – trading nation, looking outwards is part of the British DNA.
Let’s summarise where we have got to: There are 4 “vectors” (lines of travel) through which we can consider British characteristics and values
Outwardlooking God Church Personal Responsibility Value of the individual State Man Independence
Of course we might ask – are these vectors so very different from other national vectors? Is there a British exceptionalism?
In reality, yes, most nationalities and people consciously or sub-consciously use these frames of reference. Our question is, how do British people typically use these references?
And does this drive “British Values”? We ask again Is there a British exceptionalism?
At the end of the day you have to make up your own mind. Let’s look at those vectors again. . .
Outwardlooking God Church Personal Responsibility Value of the individual State Man Independence
God Outwardlooking Existential cosmological Vector Value of the individual Church State How society organises itself Global Positioning System Individual Vector Personal Responsibility Man Independence
Yes – but what has all this got to do with British Values?
We can take a crack at ‘plotting’ British values along these “vectors” and see if they are different from other value systems
We can add a simple “code” to the flag diagram to help us “plot” these ideas:
Outwardlooking God OL VI Church Value of the individual State Bal PR Personal Responsibility Exis Man Independence
Bal = Balance Exis = Existential
How society balances its “power structures” Bal = Balance Exis = Existential What people believe about the Wold and their place in it
Our pace changes now; let’s look at some typical values which seem to be common across Britain:
(In no particular order!)
Compromise: VI Its better that everyone get’s something – if its at all possible (“Win-Win”)
Rule of Law: VI Laws are there to protect (all). So its important that law is upheld and respected – by all. PR
Democracy: VI The ability of everyone to contribute to the laws of our nation. PR
Democracy: Democracy is not “elected dictatorship”. Democracy enables all to speak openly without fear of recrimination.
VI Support for the underdog: British value fairness. When the dice are loaded, the British tend to support the one against whom those dice have been weighted. Ind
VI Freedom of the press: Whilst freedom can present real difficulties, overall with diminished media freedom, democracy itself is threatened. PR
Freedom of the press: If necessary, the British “hold their noses” at some of the shennanigans of the press, recognising that freedom may entail a price in terms of press abuse.
Animals: Yes, the British are, by and large, fond of animals and expect them to be treated humanely. PR
Common Law: This effects a balance between politician made law and judge made law, in the spirit of compromise. PR
Sport: VI Its good for us! Its fun (most of the time). It should bring out the best in us. . .
Sport: “Its not cricket” is a metaphor fair play and supporting the underdog. . .
Monarchy: Not all Britons are ardent Royalists. But most value the in-built compromise between the various governing authorities. Ind
Monarchy: The in-built compromise between the governing authorities denies absolute power to any. This has been a strong preserver of democracy.
Stoicism: Life can be tough. The British expect people not to “make a song and dance” about their problems. We all have problems! PR Ind
Stoicism: “Just get on with it” probably summarises the public face we like to see – even if in private we are generally keen to help those with problems.
Stoicism: Taking ownership of one’s own troubles and not trying to project them onto other people (but accepting help when necessary)
The military covenant: We don’t like war – but it happens. Our service personnel are volunteers. They place themselves in harm’s way for the greater good. PR Ind
The military covenant: They place themselves in harm’s way for the greater good. The rest of society provides the military with proper materiel and moral support.
Lampooning politicians: VI Since we do not (generally) rebel against politicians – its good to be able to laugh at them. Too often they thoroughly deserve it.
Lampooning politicians: Lampooning politicians without fear of sanction is a fundamental British value.
Fairness: Life is not fair. The British do not kid themselves that it is. But we do expect things to be as fair as reasonably possible. PR
Fairness: This is an aspect of supporting the underdog and the rule of law. Where situations are manifestly unfair to the detriment of the weaker, then the British generally don’t like it.
The Protestant work ethic: Whether or not one is a “Protestant” (various definitions possible) most will recognise the idea: PR
The Protestant work ethic: People try to work hard and expect to enjoy the rewards of hard work. The “Protestant” dynamic emerges from the idea that work is an aspect of worship.
The Protestant work ethic: Irrespective of beliefs – or non-beliefs – the idea that work is a fundamentally good thing, and to be celebrated, is a common British one.
OL The Union: A greater Britain consisting of Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland England, and all the regions in those countries, is widely seen as a greater good Ind
The Union: The Union is seen as a triumph of common interests over factional interests
The Union: This fully functioning and successful Union is seen as a practical demonstration of the benefits of democracy and pooled sovereignty
Queuing: Another aspect of fairness and supporting the underdog. We hate queuing, but we do it because it is manifestly fair and sensible. PR
VI Monogamy: As opposed to polygamy. This is fairest to families and especially to children. It emerges from European personal cosmological vector we saw earlier.
OL Absorption – Mongrel: The British have successfully absorbed many waves of immigrants in the past. Most consider that this has tended to strengthen the cultural fabric.
Absorption – Mongrel: We are a mongrel people. The sum of the whole is greater than the parts
Keep calm and carry on: When the going gets tough we aim to be phlegmatic and just get on with the job. “Make the best of a bad job” is the same value. . . . PR Ind
Doggedness: Determination and not giving up easily are traits the British tend to admire PR Ind
VI An unwritten constitution: Historically seems to work in practice and leads to political flexibility. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is the British attitude
The right to offend: VI Catering for, and deferring to, everyone’s sensibilities to the “Nth degree” is just impossible. Free speech means some people get offended. That’s life! Ind
Freedom of choice in marriage partner: VI Whilst “arranged marriages” may have certain practical benefits, the British value the idea of autonomy in choosing life partners
Bulldog spirit: Linked to stoicism and doggedness; once started, the British tend to finish PR Ind
VI Freedom of religion: People are free to believe, not to believe, to change belief and to express beliefs – this is a foundational value on the existential cosmological vector Exis
Free Speech: VI The ability to speak openly and honestly without fear of reprisal – perhaps the most vital British value PR Exis Ind
British Values To conclude. . . .
While there will inevitably be differences in overall approach to values between different people, the values we have explored do seem to typify the British. . .
Are they uniquely British? . . You decide!
Let’s try to “plot” some of these values on our vector map – what does it begin to look like?
Outward looking OL Church Value of the individual God VI State Bal PR Personal Responsibility Exis Man Independence
Outward looking Compromise Absorption Mongrel God Monogamy Value of the Sport individual Democracy Press freedom Right to offend Church Stoicism Support for Keep Calm & the underdog Carry On Queuing PW ethic Rule of law Common law Personal Fairness Responsibility Animals Man State Doggedness Bulldog spirit The Union The military covenant Independence
This is not an exact science. Some of the “values” overlap across the vectors. There are too many to “plot” easily on one slide. . .
We can, though, begin to see commonly held values that are characteristic of the British.
Its helpful to clarify, these commonly held British values are not the same as the values sometimes claimed by the metropolitan elite as being British.
Metropolitan elite values are, well. . metropolitan elite values! Only occasionally do these coincide with British values.
Enough said! Are these a fair reflection of British values? You decide!
British Values
- Slides: 130