THE UNITED KINGDOM

THE UNITED KINGDOM

SIZE: 245,000 sq. km(About the size of California)

POPULATION: 61 million

GDP per capita: $31,800

ETHNIC: 92% White, 8% Other83% English9% Scottish5% Welsh3% Northern Irish

RELIGION: 72% Christian (Anglican: official religion), 3% Muslim, 25% Other or N/A

HEAD OF STATE: Queen Elizabeth IIHEAD OF GOVT: Prime Minister

David Cameron

STATE

A set of public institutions that exercise political power over a defined geographic territory.

Maintain sovereignty through the use of power.

Has a GEOGRAPHIC and POLITICAL boundary.

NATION Human community with a shared culture

and history. Might be a sub-unit within a state. Might transcend state boundaries.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

STATE

http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/British_Cuisine

United Kingdom 4 NATIONS

England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland

http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Maps/Great_Britain_road_map.htm

NATION OF KURDISTAN

Basque Nation

Gradualism in British Political Evolution

Democratization occurred over a very long period of time.

Why is this important?Compared with other states,

the time span for democratic evolution is immense.

Allows for a stable transition to democracy.

Growth of Parliamentary Power

1215: Magna Carta

No absolute monarch

Consent of nobility to tax and spend.

1660 Restoration

Ended Civil War Monarchy

restored Expanded role of

Parliament

Growth of Parliamentary Power

1688 Glorious Revolution

King would be Anglican.

Parliament Supreme

1911 Reform of Lords

House of Lords power is stripped.

House of Commons is supreme.

Expansion of Political Rights1832 Great Reform

Act

Expanded the male vote

1867 Reform Act

All male householders could vote.

Expansion of Political Rights

1918 Representation of the People Act

All men and women over 30 could vote.

1928 Equal Franchise Act

All women can vote.

Collectivist Consensus (1945-1979)

Consensus between parties on major policies. Greater economic equality. Full employment. Government control of major industries. Creation of a WELFARE STATE.

State provides a wide variety of social services.

MIXED ECONOMY Government nationalizes major industry. Continues to allow other principles of capitalism

(i.e., private property)

Beveridge Report (1942) Social Insurance Program for all

Health careUnemployment insurancePensions

National Health Service (NHS), 1948

Reasons for Collectivist Consensus

Margaret Thatcher “The Iron Lady”

End of consensus PRIVATIZATION

Selling state-owned companies

NEOLIBERAL Revival of liberal

ideas Lower taxes, govt.

regulation, & welfare spending.

Protect property rights.

Prime Minister: 1979-1990

(Conservative Party)

Thatcher v. Coal Union, 1984-85

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Problems with Socialism

End of Consensus: Economic Crisis of 1970s

Inflation Stagnating Economy Declining Industrial

Competitiveness OPEC quadrupled oil

prices Government

mismanagement of industry

Strikes by laborers in major industries

Thatcher’s Record Privatization:

25 state-owned sold

Unemployment: 1979: 5% 1987: 10% 1990: 5.5%

Inflation: 1980: 21% 1986 2.5 %

Economic Growth 1.9% in 1980s

Taxes Lowered Income Tax Raised Consumption

Tax (Value-Added Tax) 8% to 15%

Tony Blair“The Third Way”

Prime Minister: 1997-2007

(Labour Party)

“New Labour Party” Combine socialism

and market economy. Kept Thatcher’s

major privatization reforms.

Increased welfare assistance. Welfare-to-work Pensions NHS Education

David CameronBritish Economic Woes

Blair’s increase in welfare assistance.

2008 Global Recession and bailout.

UK debt as % of GDP2010: 76.1%

(U.S. 2010: 62.3%)

Gordon Brown: Labour PM (2007-2010)

Prime Minister: 2010-?

(Conservative Party)

Cameron’s Coalition Government

2010 ELECTION IN PARLIAMENTPolitical Party Number of Seats

CONSERVATIVES 306 (47%)LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 57 (9%)

LABOUR 258 (40%)MINOR PARTIES 29 (4%)

Nick Clegg: Liberal Democrats

https://plus.google.com/101752040505756228125/posts

UK’s Austerity Measures

Cameron’s “Big Society” Volunteerism Empowering

individuals and local communities.

Power shiftWhitehall

British people

Concern Funds for volunteer

agencies and local communities.

DEVOLUTION: Delegating

decision-making to local public bodies.

University FeesKEY FACTS

Fees in England to rise to a maximum of £9,000 a year Universities charging more than £6,000 will have to meet

requirements designed to help poorer students Graduates will begin paying back loans covering their fees

once they are earning at least £21,000 a year They will pay back 9% of their earnings above this level No tuition fees in Scotland, but universities there are calling for

'graduate contributions' Fees in Wales are to rise in line with those in England - but

Welsh students will be subsidised wherever they study in the UK so will pay no more than the current fees of £3,290 a year

A review of the system in Northern Ireland is under way

$1.61=1 Pound $5,316=3,290 Pounds $14,543=9,000 Pounds

“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”

1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?

2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.

3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?

4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?

“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”

1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?

2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.

3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?

4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?