THE UNITED KINGDOM

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF BRITISH POLITICS Magna Carta(1215) – King John agreed to

consult the nobles before he made important decisions, in particular regarding taxes

Limited government – restrictions on the monarch began with the Magna Carta

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF BRITISH POLITICS The Glorious Revolution (1688) – officially

established Parliament as the ruling body of Great Britain. The agreement signed between William & Mary and Parliament was known as the Bill of Rights

LEGITIMACY The government of Great Britain has

developed gradually; tradition is a primary source of stability

Great Britain’s constitution is unwritten having evolved from different documents (Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights), common law, legal codes, and customs

The UK has rational legal legitimacy, stemming from its democratic constitution and government

POLITICAL CULTURENoblesse Oblige Important tradition in British politics The duty of the upper classes to take

responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes Legacy of feudal times (Lords protected serfs) Reflected in willingness of British citizens to

accept a welfare state Margaret Thatcher’s administration challenged

this by significantly cutting social services and social welfare programs

POLITICAL CULTURE:EXTENSION OF VOTING RIGHTS Great Reform Act of 1832: About 300,000 men

gained right to vote, House of Commons gained more power in relation to House of Lords

Reform Act of 1867: electorate reaches 3 million, many working class people allowed to vote

Representation of the People Act of 1884: electorate is further expanded to make sure that majority of electorate is working class

Women’s Suffrage: all women over the age of 28 and all men over 21 granted the right to vote in 1918. By 1928, all women over 21 allowed to vote.

POLITICAL BELIEFS & VALUES

Through 1960s British political culture characterized by: Trust Deference to authority Pragmatism Harmony High voter participation The “Collectivist Consensus”

COLLECTIVIST CONSENSUS Began during WWII with Churchill’s emphasis

on putting class differences aside in order to work together to defeat Germany

Churchill headed an all-party coalition government during WWII (He was originally elected as a Conservative)

The spirit of collective consensus continued beyond the war well into the 1960s

COLLECTIVIST CONSENSUS Both Labour and Conservative parties

supported the development of the modern welfare system

Beveridge Report – adopted by both parties during the war; made all citizens eligible for health, unemployment, pension, and other welfare benefits

National Health Service (1948) – created under the leadership of the Labour Party

POLITICAL BELIEFS & VALUES CONTINUED: “POLITICS OF PROTEST”

1970s and 1980sLess supportive of collective consensusSupport for free market economyDecreasing support for labor unions Increased violence in Northern Ireland

POLITICAL CULTURE

Insularity Feeling of separation, in particular from the

continent of Europe Sense of exceptionalism Euroskepticism Different from isolationism

POLITICAL CULTURE:MULTI-NATIONALISM Although the UK has a relatively large

amount of cultural homogeneity (Anglo/white), it is divided into four nations England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland

ENGLAND

Largest region of Great Britain Makes up 2/3 of the land mass English have dominated the other

nationalities historically, and still hold a disproportionate share of political power

SCOTLAND

History of resistance to English rule Strong sense of national identity Has its own flag Recently granted its own parliament and

regional assembly (devolution) Scottish National Party – political party of

the region of Scotland

WALES

Located west of EnglandPlaid Cymru – Welch national political

party Strong sense of national pride

reflected in its flag and Welsh language

Granted their own assembly (devolution)

NORTHERN IRELAND The Irish Republican Army (IRA) used guerrilla tactics against

British officials and citizens Sinn Fein – political party of the IRA Under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the IRA

decommissioned its weapons in exchange for some self rule. An assembly was created for Northern Ireland (devolution)

DEVOLUTION

British government is a unitary system (centralized control)

Starting in the 1970s the Scots and Welsh made an aggressive push for political autonomy in their regions

Devolution – the turning over of some political power and autonomy to regional governments

The Labour Party had supported the idea of devolution since the 1970s

DEVOLULTION Margaret Thatcher’s administration blocked

devolution Under Tony Blair’s New Labour Party the idea

of devolution was instituted In 1999, referendums in Scotland and Wales

successfully passed, and each established their own regional assemblies: powers of taxation, education, and economic planning

In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement established an assembly for Northern Ireland

ETHNIC MINORITIES

Make up about 8% of the British population Indian (23%) Pakistani (16%) Afro-Caribbean (13%) Black African (11%)

EDUCATION & POLITICAL ELITE RECRUITMENT “Public schools” originally were intended to

train boys for “public life” in the military, civil service, or politics

Majority of Britain’s political elites go to public boarding schools

Currently only about 65% of British 17-year olds are still in school, the lowest number of any industrialized society

Oxbridge (Oxford-Cambridge) – the most important portal to membership in the elite classes and political recruitment is through these two prestigious universities

LABOUR PARTY Largest party on the “left” of political spectrum Began in 1906 as alliance between trade unions and

social groups that were strengthened by expansion of workers’ rights

Traditionally labor unions have provided majority of funds for the party

LABOUR PARTY Early history of the party was defined by

controversial Clause 4 that called for nationalization of the “commanding heights” of British industry

Trade Union Council (TUC) – a coalition of trade unions generally associated with the Labour Party, has traditionally been a force in British politics

Growing moderation of the Labour Party was reflected by removal of Clause 4 in early 1990s

LABOUR PARTY IN 1990S

Shift in policies toward more centrist views

Moderate-centrist views have continued under leadership of and Tony Blair and Gordon Brown (1997-2010)

Tony Blair adopted “Third Way” platform and createed the “New Labour” Party

“THIRD WAY” Moderate Centrist alternative to “Old Labour” Party on left

and Conservative Party on right Initiated by Tony Blair in the late 1990s Attempting to redefine and balance following

policy issues: Evolving relationship between government & economy British relationship with EU Balancing act between the United States and

European Union Devolution

CONSERVATIVE PARTY Characterized by Noblesse Oblige Power centered in London Party organization viewed as elitist Leadership must submit to annual leadership

elections Weakened by division of party in late 1990s:

Traditional Wing(one-nation Tories) – values noblesse oblige and elitism, supports Britain’s membership in EU

Thatcherite Wing – strict conservatives, support full free market, known as “Euroskeptics”, feel EU threatens British sovereignty

THATCHERISM Reforms instituted by Margaret Thatcher in

1980sPrivatized business and industryCut back on social welfare programsStrengthened national defense (staunch

anticommunist)Got tough with labor unions in response to

Labour Parties’ distinct movement left, which had strengthened labor unions politically

THATCHERISMReturned to market economyResisted complete integration into the

European UnionReplaced property tax on houses with a

poll tax on individual adultsFroze income tax increasesForeign policy dominated by securing

British interests internationally

MARGARET THATCHER

CONSERVATIVE PARTY Dominant party in Great Britain between WWII

and late 1990s Main party on the right Traditionally pragmatic as opposed to ideological Historically has supported a market controlled

economy, privatization, and fewer social welfare programs – symbolized by Margaret Thatcher in 1980s

Under Prime Minister John Major (1990-1997) and David Cameron (2010-present) gravitated towards center and away from Thatcherism

DAVID CAMERON

LIBERAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY Attempted to create strong “in the middle”

compromise to the two dominant parties Won a party high 26% of vote in 1983, but

because of single-member district plurality system only secured 23 seats in Parliament

Secured only 62/650 MP seats in 2005 even though it won 22% of the popular vote

Also managed to gain support on issues such as health, education, the environment, and the Iraq War

OTHER PARTIES

Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru – Welsh nationalist party Sinn Fein – political arm of the IRA Democratic Unionist Party – led by

Protestant clergymen National Front-racist and nationalist

VOTING PATTERNS Conservative Party

Middle and upper classes Educated Residents of England, mostly rural and suburban

areas

Labour Party Traditionally supported by working class Residents of urban and industrial areas

(Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle)

INTEREST GROUPS Between 1945-1980, business interests and

trade union organizations fiercely competed for influence over the policy-making process

Trade Union Congress (TUC) – represents coalition of unions, had great deal of political power at one time and government often consulted them on important policy decisions – traditionally aligned with Labour Party

Confederation of Business and Industry (CBI) – a coalition of business groups and private interests, usually supportive of the Conservative Party

MEDIA British newspapers reflect social class

divisions They are divided between quality news

and comments that appeal to the middle and upper classes, and mass circulation tabloids that target working and lower classes

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – government funded and guaranteed independenceUsually respectful of government officials

TABLOID JOURNALISM

ELECTIONS Members of Parliament (MPs) are the only

national officials that British voters elect Elections must be held at least every 5 years,

but Prime Minister may call them earlier Officially elections occur after the Crown

dissolves Parliament, but that always happens after the Prime Minister requests it

Power to call elections very important – the Prime Minister always calls elections when he or she thinks that the majority party has the best chance to win

ELECTIONS “Winner-take-all” system Single-member district plurality system Each party selects a candidate to run for

each district “First-past-the-post” winner MPs do not have to live in the district in

which they are running, therefore party selects who runs in what districts

ELECTIONS Party leaders run from safe districts – or

districts that the party almost always wins Political neophytes are selected to run in

districts the party know it will lose They are usually happy just to receive more

votes than the party usually gets in that district

U.S. VS BRITISH ELECTIONS United States

Parties are less powerful

Members must live in districts

Party leaders run in their respective districts

Individual votes for four officials on national level

Between 30 and 60 percent of the eligible voters actually vote

First-past-the-post, single-member districts; virtually no minor parties get representation

Great Britain Party determines who runs

where Members do not have to

live in their districts Party leaders run in “safe

districts” Individual votes for only

one official on the national level

About 70 to 80 percent of the eligible voters actually vote

First-past-the-post, single-member districts; some representation from minority parties, but still less than if they had proportional representation

PRIME MINISTER & CABINET Prime Minister

“First among equals” Member of Parliament

and Leader of majority party

Speaks legitimately for all Members of Parliament

Chooses cabinet ministers and important subordinate posts

Makes decisions in cabinet, with agreement of ministers

Campaigns for and represents the party in parliamentary elections

Shapes cabinet decisions into policy

Cabinet The cabinet is the

center of policy-making in the British political system

As leaders of majority party elected by the people, they take “collective responsibility” for making the policy of the country

The cabinet is the target of lobbying by interest groups

COMPARING EXECUTIVES Prime Minister of

UK Serves only as long as

he/she remains leader of majority party

Elected as MP Has an excellent

chance of getting his/her programs past Parliament

Cabinet members are always MPs and leaders of the majority party

Cabinet members not experts in policy areas: rely on bureaucracy to provide expertise

President of the US Elected every four

years by an electoral college based on popular election

Elected as president Has an excellent

chance of ending up in gridlock with Congress

Cabinet members usually don’t come from Congress (although they may)

Some expertise in policy areas; one criteria for their appointment; head vast bureaucracies

PARLIAMENT

House of CommonsParty that receives the majority of the plurality of the votes becomes the Majority Party in Parliament, the party with the second most votes becomes the “loyal opposition”Coalition government occurs when no party wins a majority

HOUSE OF COMMONS:SET-UP

House of Commons set-up with long benches facing each other

Prime Minister sits on front bench of majority side, directly in the middle

Directly across from the PM sits the leader of the “opposition” party

Between members of the majority and opposition parties is a long table

Cabinet members sit on the front rows of the majority party side

“Shadow Cabinet” – influential members of the opposition party sit facing Cabinet members of majority party on the opposing side

Backbenchers – less influential members of both parties sit in the rear benches on both sides of the meeting hall as well

HOUSE OF COMMONS

HOUSE OF COMMONS:DEBATE

“Government” – consists of cabinet secretaries who sit in the first rows of the majority party side, including the PM, that are most influential in making policy

Question Time/Question Hour – the hour the prime minister and his cabinet must defend themselves from inquisitive attacks from the opposition party as well as direct inquiry from members of his/her own party

Speaker of the House – presides over the debates in Parliament, the speaker is suppose to be objective and often is not a member of the majority party. Their job is to let all speak without letting the debate get out of hand.

Because of a lack of checks & balances between branches in British politics the opposition party is seen as the “check” on the majority party within Parliament, this “check” power is best utilized during times of debate over policy

PARTY DISCIPLINE Party discipline very important in British

politics If party members do not support their party

leadership, the “government” may fall into crisis

A failed vote of confidence dissolves the government and the prime minister calls for new elections.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Vote on a key issue within the party If the issue is not supported, the cabinet

by tradition must resign immediately, and new elections for MPs must be held as soon as possible

This is usually avoided by settling policy differences within majority party membership

If the party loses a vote of confidence, all MPs lose their jobs, so there is plenty of motivation to vote the party line

BLAIR’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Higher Education BillVote of confidence took place in 2005Bill squeaked by with an approval vote of

316 to 311The bill proposed raising university fees, a

measure criticized not only by the opposition, but by outspoken MPs from the Labour Party as well

The vote narrowly allowed Blair’s government to remain in control of the Commons

PARLIAMENTARY POWERS

Debate and refine potential legislation They are the only ones who may become

party leaders and ultimately may head the government

Scrutinize the administration of laws Keep communication lines open between

voters and ministers

HOUSE OF LORDS Only hereditary parliamentary house in

existence todayHereditary peers: hold seats that have

been passed down through family ties over the centuries

Life peers: people appointed to nonhereditary positions as a result of distinguished service to Britain

Lords have gradually declined in authority over last 4 centuries

The House of Lords has been reduced by half

“POWERS” OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS Since the beginning of the 20th century the

House of Lords’ only powers are:To delay legislationTo debate technicalities of proposed billsLords may add amendments to legislation,

but House of Commons may delete their changes by a simple majority vote

BUREAUCRACY: CIVIL SERVANTS Hundred of thousands of civil servants in the UK They administer laws and deliver public services Most do clerical and routine work for the bureaucracy A few hundred directly advise ministers and oversee

work of departments Top civil servants and bureaucrats usually stay with

their departments, while ministers are party officials who move with party demands

Therefore, top civil servants often have a great deal of input into policy-making

JUDICIARY BRANCH In Britain, the principle of parliamentary

sovereignty (parliament’s decisions are final) has limited the development of judicial review

British courts can only determine whether government decisions violate the common law or previous acts of Parliament

By tradition British courts cannot impose their rulings upon Parliament, the prime minister, or the cabinet

Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 – provides for a Supreme Court of the United Kingdom to take over the existing role of the law lords

Most judges are not MPs and few are active in party politics; most were educated in public schools and the Oxbridge connection