United Kingdom

Creation of the “Constitution of the Crown” Sources of authority – Tradition – Ration-legal Magna Carta Bill of Rights Common Law (civil law)

History Evolution of United Kingdom Political Development – Nation-state Great Britain – England – Scotland – Wales Northern Ireland – Liberal democracy – Role of Anglican Church – No written constitution

Historical Development, con’t. Economic Development – Industrial Revolution Rise of middle and working classes Urbanization Social/cultural Development: mostly consensual culture (“collective consensus”)

Political Culture HIGH legitimacy! Mostly consensual culture Insularity Noblesse oblige Increasing multi-nationalism 3 theories of governing

The British Royal Family

Political and Economic Change Gradualism!!! – Increased voting rights & Labour Party (Trade Union Council) – Post-WWII collective consensus Beveridge Report: social insurance program (NHS) Mixed economy – 1970s: economic crisis – 1980s: Thatcherism – Late 1990s-early 2000s: Blair’s “Third Way”

Citizens, Society, and State Mostly homogeneous culture, but multinationalism Social class distinctions – Education Ethnic minorities Political beliefs and values Voting behavior

Political Participation Factors affecting political participation Recruitment of political elite Interest groups – How to best influence policymaking – Insider v. outsider groups – trends

Political Parties British politics = party-based Since WWII, multi-party (though system still dominated by only 2 parties) Comparison of US and British political parties (see chart p. 127)

Political Parties: Conservatives Pre-1970s Changes under Margaret Thatcher Current leader: David Cameron Conservatives today

Political Parties: Labour Origins 1970 shift to the left →huge losses! Moderation in 1980s Changes under Tony Blair in 1990s and 2000s Current leader: Ed Miliband

Political Parties: Liberal Democrats Origins – Liberals (Post WWII) – ’80s: Liberals + Social Democrats = Alliance – ’87 Liberal Democratic Party (Paddy Ashdown) Strong local support; biggest issue = proportional representation 1997 elections; aftermath 2010 elections; aftermath Current leader: Nick Clegg

Political Parties: Minor Parties Wales: Plaid Cymru Scotland: Scottish National Party Northern Ireland: – Sinn Fein – Democratic Unionist Party British National Party United Kingdom Independence Party

Elections “First-past-the- post”/winner-take- all/single-member districts Favors two-party system 2010 Election (also see next slide) Conservatives: 36% (305 seats) Labour 29% (258 seats) Liberal Democrats 23% (57 seats)

All 650 seats in the House of Commons.650 seatsHouse of Commons First partySecond partyThird party LeaderDavid CameronGordon BrownNick Clegg PartyConservativeLabourLiberal Democrat Leader since6 December June December 2007 Leader's seatWitney Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath Sheffield Hallam Last election198 seats, 32.4%355 seats, 35.2%62 seats, 22.1% Seats before Seats won306^25857 Seat change97*91*5* Popular vote10,703,7548,609,5276,836,824 Percentage36.1%29.0%23.0% Swing3.7%6.2%1.0%

Political Institutions: Executive (“Whitehall”) Whitehall = real power Prime Minister – 10 Downing Street – Maximum 5 year terms – Prime minister vs. president – Roles

Executive, con’t. Cabinet and Ministers – Also MPs – Path to becoming minister – Roles/loyalties/collective responsibility – Process for creating laws White paper Debate Votes of confidence Three-line whip Shadow cabinet

Executive, con’t. Civil servants – Administrators only; nonpartisan – Qualifications – #1 job = looking out for minister

Political Institutions: Legislature Monarch: formal roles House of Lords – 3 types – Roles – Reforms House of Commons – Debates! (Question time!) – Frontbenchers vs. backbenchers – Opposition party’s “shadow cabinet”

Political Institutions: Judiciary No judicial review Law lords Issue of EU Bill of Rights and EU Court UK Supreme Court – Criminal cases – devolution

Public Policy and Current Issues Making and delivering government policy Local governments Thatcher Revolution/ “Thatcherism” Blair’s “Third Way” Current policy issues – Proportional representation – Government’s role in the economy – Britain and the EU – Direction of post-Blair policy – British/US relationship – Devolution, decentralization and constitutional reform – Terrorism