1. Week 1: Building Modern Britain Reading: Norton CH 1 and 2

2. Course Objectives Introduce students to the British political process. –Monarchy vs. Parliament –Executive vs. Legislative Examine pressing issues in British politics. –Devolution and Northern Ireland –Immigration –Election 2010 Examine the basis of British foreign policy. –The “Special Relationship” with the US –The Iraq War

3. Office Hours/Contact Information Temporary Website: –http://sites.google.com/site/dfisk00/british- politicshttp://sites.google.com/site/dfisk00/british- politics Professor David Fisk –E-mail: dfisk@ucsd.edu –Location TBA 5:20-6:20 T/R Teaching Assistant Melanie Feurey –E-mail: mek005@ucsd.edu –SSB 347 Hours TBA

4. Course Grading and Participation Two Exams (Midterm and Final)-45% each –6-8 pages in length –Late assignments are not accepted without valid documentation. Participation-10% –Discussion of current events in the British political system. Current Events –BBC News, Economist, Financial Times –Guardian, Times, Independent

5. Course Readings Norton. Politics in Britain. Dunleavy et al. Developments in British Politics 8. –Read Norton chapters first; Dunleavy second. Riddell. Hug Them Close. –You can purchase either the reproduction or a used copy; you do NOT need to buy both. Archer. First Among Equals. –Fictional account of parliamentary life from an insider –Read Norton and Dunleavy first Supplementary readings: –Read based on interest

6. Guiding Questions What constitutes the United Kingdom? Great Britain? What factors promoted the unification of disparate nations under the banner of the United Kingdom? What does ethnicity, class, and religion look like in the British case? How do British citizens view their political system?

7. Great Britain/United Kingdom Great Britain: –England, Wales, and Scotland. United Kingdom: –England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (Ulster). Democracy by evolution, not revolution. –Important ramifications for the British constitution.

8. Introduction The UK in its current form has evolved over 400 years. –Acts of union added territory to the English dominion. 16 th century: Wales annexed. 18 th century: Scottish lands added. 19 th century: Ireland added –Irish independence in 1922 –Northern Ireland (Ulster) retained after Ireland declares independence.

9. The Process of Unification: Protestantism Each region maintained the “trappings of statehood” at the time of union Over time, economic and political rationale to unification became obvious but initial unification not always seen as beneficial. Protestantism provided an initial basis for common identity in Wales, Scotland, and England. –“Catholic threat” provided a convenient rallying call.

10. The Process of Unification: The French Threat Fears of an attack based in Scotland or Ireland prompted acts of union. Protestantism provided a useful way to mobilize the British territory against threats from Catholic France. Mobilization brought people from various regions together; facilitated nation building.

11. The Process of Unification: Globalization and Empire Industrialization provided benefits for unification. –Search for new markets coupled with impressive naval resources laid the groundwork for empire. Imperial expansion fostered a sense of pride in the British nation. Improvements in communications and transportation fostered closer ties between the regions.

12. The Process of Unification: The Monarchy Advances in communication aided the rise in importance of the monarchy. Cannadine: “Secular magic of monarchy” established during the reign of George III (1760- 1820). Queen Victoria (1837- 1901) furthered solidified the popularity of the institution; linking the monarchy with the state.

13. The Process of Unification: Political Reforms Limitation of the franchise to wealthy aristocrats caused rumblings –Political movements seeking to expand the franchise existed throughout the territory. Reform movements united citizens from various regions. As franchise expands, political parties see value in contesting elections on a national rather than a regional platform.

14. The Effects of Unification Unification has not erased regional identities. –Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements fare well in elections. Devolution provides a voice for the regions while allowing the central government to rule on behalf of the British nation. –While nationalist parties exist, secession seems unlikely.

15. United Kingdom: Population Population: approximately 60 million. One of the most densely populated countries in the world. –625 people per square mile. England is more densely populated than the other regions. Predominantly white; 11 out of every 12 people are native born. A “graying” society; Immigration is changing the makeup of the UK.

16. United Kingdom: Religion Religion no longer provides the same unifying force as it did. As in other advanced democracies, the British are becoming increasingly more secular. The number of citizens who do not identify with any religion has risen by nearly 12% over the last twenty years. Anglicanism has declined by 11%. Catholicism has remained relatively constant.

17. United Kingdom: Class Class used to be the major predictor of partisan identification and activity; this is declining. The postwar era has been associated with upward mobility; working classes have become more middle class while many in the middle class has moved to the upper middle class. The rise of the middle class is reducing the stark differences between the upper and working classes; electoral volatility is on the rise.

18. United Kingdom: Public Opinion Monarchy: –Over two-thirds believe it should be retained. Political System: –Cynicism towards the system is rife; three- quarters believe government could be improved. Political Parties: –Trust in political parties to “do the right thing” or “put the country first” is low. Citizen Efficacy: –Two-thirds believe that they do not really have a say in what government does.

19. Conclusion: The UK as “Typical”? Globalization and immigration are changing the ethnic background of the British population. –Providing the impetus for new political parties (e.g. BNP/UKIP/Respect). The role of religion and class in shaping British politics is declining. –In line with other advanced democracies. While support for the monarchy remains high, cynicism towards the government is in line with other advanced democracies.

20. Next Lecture Theme: The British Constitution Theme: The Monarchy Readings: Norton CH 3