1. The Role of the British Monarchy

2. History Queen Elizabeth II
Historically, Monarch had absolute authority
After Civil War, this authority was curbed and controlled
Modern power lies in influence, and is otherwise ceremonial
Current house: House of Windsor (1917, previously House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1901)
Queen Elizabeth coronated in 1953
Queen Elizabeth II

3. Public Opinion Most Brits feel a sense of pride in their monarchy
Look to the monarch as a role model
Some see the monarchy as an obsolete and unnecessary institution

4. The Windsors in Action Involved in Charity work
Most of the men serve in the armed forces (Harry Army, William Army/Navy/RAF, etc)
Represent the UK at an International Level
Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Commonwealth
Perform Ceremonial Duties
Play a leadership role
Prince Harry
Lady Diana

5. The Royal Wedding
Most people in the UK consider it an exciting and major event
The last royal wedding was that of Prince Andrew And Sarah Ferguson in 1986
Some people are speaking out against her “common” blood
Prince William and Kate Middleton

6. The Welfare State in the U.K.
What services should the government provide to the people?

7. The Welfare State
Definition: “a system whereby the government undertakes to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, esp. those in financial or social need, by means of grants, pensions, and other benefits.”

8. This presentation: What it is Where it came from
How people feel about it (the culture)
Future directions

9. Why is this important? relationship between state & citizen
what people expect from their government
major contrasts with U.S.

10. Timeline
‘45: Labour comes to power (Clement Atlee, PM); begins implementing Welfare State
’97: Tony Blair comes to power, essentially continues Thatcherism
‘19: Labour adds Nationalization to platform
’42: Beveridge Report
’48: National Health Service created
~ 1895: Labour Party Founded
present
…Industrial Revolution
’79-’90: Margaret Thatcher is in power; makes cuts
2010: David Cameron elected: Big Society, budget cuts, controversy over welfare state
: WWI
: WWII

11. Timeline
‘45: Labour comes to power (Clement Atlee, PM); begins implementing Welfare State
’97: Tony Blair comes to power, essentially continues Thatcherism
‘19: Labour adds Nationalization to platform
’42: Beveridge Report
’48: National Health Service created
~ 1895: Labour Party Founded
present
…Industrial Revolution
’79-’90: Margaret Thatcher is in power; makes cuts
2010: David Cameron elected: Big Society, budget cuts, controversy over welfare state
: WWI
: WWII
Idea takes shape
implementation & golden age
cuts, reevaluations, and uncertain future
origins

12. Contents Healthcare National Health Service: free care for all
Education
state-funded schools for ages 3-18
state-funded higher education
’09-10: £3225 / year max (raised to £9000)
Employment
National Insurance Act (1911): health & unemployment insurance
Social Security
Old Age Pensions Act (1908)

13. Why did it emerge? noblesse oblige: nobles’ responsibility to people
reaction to Industrial Revolution
needs of industry
healthy, educated workforce
WWII: people became accustomed to state control
Beveridge

14. Why was it cut back under Thatcher?
poor performance
high spending
economic troubles
opposition to radicalized Labour
free-market ideology:
competition is key
similar to Reagan

15. How do people feel about it?
Healthcare, education, etc are rights, not privileges
noblesse oblige: government has obligation to help the common people
in contrast with U.S.; UK citizens are:
more comfortable w/ government involvement
less fixated on self-reliance
“communist” is not an automatic insult

16. Current Events: Where is it going now?
challenges:
financial crisis
debt
Cameron’s plan:
budget cuts
~490k public sector job cuts
increased retirement age
increased college fees
reduced social services
Big Society
power → local communities (devolution)
volunteerism
support non-governmental aid organizations
charities, co-ops, social enterprises, etc

17. A new, empowering type of society, or a glorification of budget cuts?
Reaction:
A new, empowering type of society, or a glorification of budget cuts?

18. Positive
Dr Rowan Williams: “The positive side of the big society agenda in the present Government's language is I think not just about saving money or cutting corners - it's about some kind of effort to get hold of a strong sense of civic responsibility”

19. Negative
many students are not as enthusiastic

20. December 2010: maximum fee increased to £9000
December 2010: maximum fee increased to £9000

21. Elections UK general elections:
Held at least every 5 years w/ one-month campaign
650 constituencies
326 seats needed to win an overall majority

22. First Past the Post
Also known as “single ballot” or “single member plurality”
Definition: the electoral system in which the person winning the most votes in a constituency is elected.

23. Other Advocated Options
Alternative vote: run-off voting w/ multiple rounds
Single transferable vote: proportional representation w/ preferential voting

24. What Happened Last Year…
Labour Party:
29.0% of vote; 47.2% of seats
Conservative Party
36.1% of vote; 39.7% of seats
Liberal Democrats
23.0% of vote; 0.09% of seats
Others
11.9% of vote; 0.04% of seats

25. Coalition Government?
Gordon Brown, the incumbent Prime Minister from the Labour Party and David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party began wooing Nick Clegg, head of the Liberal Democrats.

26. New Possible Measures
Regional and local governments currently use a proportional system, which many say is fairer than the general elections
Nick Clegg agreed to settle on a referendum for AV, although he wanted STV initially.
He serves as deputy under Cameron, who says that FPTP is better and simple.
They are saying their disagreement won’t hurt their relationship.