Chapter Eight Politics in Britain Copyright 2012

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Country Bio: United Kingdom Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights

United Kingdom § United Kingdom created in 1801, merging England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland § Britain did not become a democracy overnight (case study) § Evolution not revolution § Democratization was a slow process § Contrasts with the dominant European practice of switching between democratic and undemocratic regimes Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Challenges Facing Britain § General Election of 2010 - no party won majority in House of Commons. § Conservative Party (Tories) of David Cameron - 307 seats § Labour Party of Gordon Brown - 258 seats § Liberal Democratic Party of Nick Clegg - 57 seats. § Conservatives, Liberal Democrats formed coalition § Government’s offices divided between Cameron as prime minister and Clegg as deputy prime minister Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Challenges Facing Britain § Next election scheduled for May, 2015 § Rise of “independents” and the fragmentation of the 2 ½ Party System § Rise of Nationalist Parties in Scotland Wales § SNP & Plaid Cymru § Rise of anti-EU parties, esp. UKIP § Rise of anti-immigrant parties (BNP, UKIP) § Rise of the “Greens” Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Challenges Facing Britain § British Empire = Commonwealth § Antigua and Australia to India, Pakistan, Zambia differ in wealth, culture, commitment to democracy. § Special relationship with U. S. § § Involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya “Bush’s Poodle” (Blair) “He calls me bro” (Cameron) Should the UK remain so closely linked to US? Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Challenges Facing Britain § Britain’s world position has declined § European Community (1957) – now EU § Britain did not join until 1973 § Created more policy challenges § Resentment toward EU policies as an “attack” on UK sovereignty § Much UK legislation comes from efforts to keep in line with EU policies § Resentment toward immigration from other EU countries § Rise of nationalist/anti-EU/anti-immigrant parties § BNP, UKIP Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Environment of Politics § One Crown but five nations § United Kingdom – § England: no English State in international law § Wales: ¼ speak Welch § Scotland: separate legal, religious, educational institutions § Northern Ireland: remainder of Ireland rebelled against Crown in 1916 and a separate Irish state in Dublin in 1921. Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Test yourself § The emergence of a new Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are evidence of § A. Marxist influences. § B. diversity. § C. devolution. § D. democratic liberalism. § E. unitary government.

Test yourself § The emergence of a new Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly are evidence of § C. devolution.

The Environment of Politics § Unitary State: political system having one source of authority, British Parliament § UK is multinational state § Historically, Scotland, Wales governed by British Cabinet ministers accountable to Parliament. § Scotland/Wales (1999): responsibilities for policy given to local elected assemblies § Northern Ireland is most un-English part of UK § formally a secular polity § identity questions: Catholics and Protestants § turmoil since 1968, IRA (the “troubles”) Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Devolved Administrations § Scottish Parliament § 129 members § Mixed SMD-FPTP & PR election § Control over taxation, criminal justice, health, education, transport, the environment, sport, culture and local government. § British Parliament retains reserved matters § Foreign affairs, defense, immigration, social security and welfare, employment and general economic & fiscal policy

Devolved Administrations § National Assembly for Wales § 60 members § Mixed SMD-FPTP & PR election § Most legislation is still controlled by British Parliament (Westminster) § Welsh Assembly deals only with local matters § Health, education, transport, the environment, culture and local government

Devolved Administrations § Northern Ireland Assembly § 108 members § Mixed SMD-FPTP & PR election § Assembly’s powers are broad and similar to those of the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Independence § Referendum was held in the fall of 2014 § Result = no vote (narrow margin) § Consequences § Promise of more “devolved” power to Scots § More freedom to tax & spend § Wales & Northern Ireland will push to be more like Scotland

Scottish Independence § More Consequences § “English votes for English laws” § The “West Lothian Question” § Scotch & Welsh MPs vote in Parliament for laws that effect England § No corresponding ability for English MPs § Need for “English Parliament”? § Is a federal system too far behind?

Thinking about Britain: § The basics § The Kingdoms § One of world’s most densely populated countries § One of the world’s most monitored societies § Millions of surveillance cameras – one for every 14 citizens

A Multiracial Britain § Worldwide British Empire was multiracial and so is commonwealth. § Census estimates nonwhite population of UK had risen from 74, 000 to 4. 6 million – 8% of UK § Since 9/11: stress integration of immigrant families into British way of life § Response to terrorist attacks: § increase police powers § restrictions on asylum seekers § deportation made easier Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thinking about Britain: Terrorism, Religious Minorities & “Britishness” No longer an “all white” country § Still rather homogeneous: religion & ethnicity § Immigrants from former British colonies Muslum minority: approx. 5% of population § § 9% in London Terrorism – attacks in 2005 § § § Tories criticize “multiculturalism” which they say allows “parallel lives” without a sense of national identity They would like more direct socialization into British civic culture Government countermeasures Status of civil liberties in UK?

Thinking about Britain: § § Welfare state is still strong Social class remains a powerful force (see photo) § § Eton and “Oxbridge” Becoming more unequal

Thinking about Britain: Becoming more unequal § Income inequality is the highest it has been since the 1930 s 2011 Riots (“A riot is the language of the unheard”) § § Tories: moral failing in contemporary British society; violence by criminals & opportunists Labour: gov’t austerity measures, absence of opportunities § § 600 K young adults under 25 have never worked Poor policing: 3/4 s of rioters had been stopped and searched; claimed unfair treatment

Thinking about Britain: Political Economy § Climb out of the Great Recession Neo-liberal economic policies since 1979 (Thatcher) Role/extent of welfare state vs. balancing the budget § § § “Austerity” vs. the “safety net” Special place for the NHS

The Evolution of the British State § § § Sequential, rather than simultaneous, tasks of British Building the nation state Defining the role of religion Establishing liberal democracy Industrial revolution Maintained legitimacy without constitution

The Evolution of the British State § § § The Broad Sweep of British History King and Parliament sharing power for over 700 years Religion removed from politics after 16 th and 17 th centuries Growth of Parliamentary power; decline of Royal power Capitalism and urbanization promoted democratic reforms Modern parties established in late 19 th century

Early British Political History § § § Date Set #1 1215 1660 1688 1911 1912 § § § Date Set #2 1832 1867 1918 1928

Activity § Divide into groups § One member of each group should have an electronic device that connects to the internet § Research the dates in terms of British political history § What does data set #1 represent? #2?

Early British Political History § Date Set #1 = Growth of Parliamentary Power § Date Set #2 = Growth of Democracy

The Making of Modern England: Evolution § 1. The Crown was established as the central authority in medieval times. § 2. The supremacy of the state’s power over the church was settled in the 16 th century when Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church to establish the Church of England.

The Making of Modern England: Evolution § 3. The power struggle between Crown and Parliament was resolved by a civil war in the 17 th century in which Parliament triumphed and a weakened monarch was then restored. § Parliament became able to hold the Crown accountable by the 18 th century, but Parliament represented only a small portion of the population.

Test yourself § The National Health Service was established in § A. the 1940 s. § B. the 1950 s. § C. the 1970 s. § D. the 1980 s. § E. the 1990 s.

Test yourself § The National Health Service was established in § A. the 1940 s.

The Evolution of the Modern British State Stage 1: The Collectivist Consensus (1940 s) § § WWII coalition government became an informal agreement on many issues Beveridge Report of 1942 formed core of “Collectivist Consensus” (social welfare program) Post-war political cleavages were class based more than policy based

The Evolution of the Modern British State § Stage #2 (1951 -1964) The Consensus Era § Conservatives in office § Maintained consensus on social welfare § Used Keynesian economics to promote growth, full employment & low inflation § 3 rd stage (early 60 s through 1970 s) § “What wrong with Britain? ” § Stagnation and political drift

Stage 4: The Thatcher Revolution § 1979, Margaret Thatcher – Conservatives § Policies of free-market § From nationalization to privatization (Thatcher – “The Iron Lady”) § From Keynes to Friedman (monetary policy & supply-side economics) § Falklands War (vs. Argentina) § Thatcher never won more than 43% of total vote but division within other parties helped her win § replaced by John Major Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Stage 5: The Blair Revolution § 1994, Tony Blair – “New” Labour § 2 nd longest serving prime minister of past century § New Labour’s “humane face” on social welfare reform § Traffic tax in London to pay for public transport investment (Blair) § Iraq: How to respond to massive public opposition? (Blair) § Successor – 2007 – Gordon Brown

Recent History § 2010 to present § “Hung Parliament” § Coalition government § § § Conservatives + Liberal Democrats PM is David Cameron (Con) Deputy PM is Nick Clegg (LD) Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities § § § § The Monarchy and the Lords: visible but powerless Parliamentary sovereignty, sort of Real power lies with leadership of majority party Collective responsibility is key to power Cabinet government? Ministers rely on expertise of senior civil servants Top ministers and PM’s personal advisors make broad policies

Test yourself § The ceremonial head of state, the Crown, § A. has veto power over some legislation. § B. works with the House of Lords to formulate legislation. § C. symbolizes the authority of government. § D. has absolutely no bearing on modern government in Britain. § E. is always represented by a male heir.

Test yourself § The ceremonial head of state, the Crown, § C. symbolizes the authority of government.

The Structure of Government § Unwritten constitution: § Acts Of Parliament § Judicial Pronouncements § Customs and Conventions § Few constraints in unwritten constitution: § Vagueness makes it flexible § Can be changed by majority vote in Parliament or by government choosing to act in unprecedented manner § English courts claim no power to declare act of Parliament unconstitutional Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

British Constitutionalism § “un-codified” § Statutory law = parliamentary law § “Conventions” – agreed upon standards & rules § Interpretations § Treaties § European Union laws

British Constitutionalism § 1. Defines the powers of Parliament § 2. Define the relationships between Parliament and the Crown § 3. Relationships among the constituent parts of the UK (Scotland, Wales, No. Ireland) § 4. Rights of Citizens vs. the state

Some Key Parts of the British Constitution § § § Magna Carta (1215) The Habeas Corpus Act (1679) The Bill of Rights (1689) The Act of Settlement (1701) The Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949) The Peerage Act (1963) The European Communities Act (1972) The Scotland Act (1998) The Human Rights Act (1998) The House of Lords Act (1999) Reform Acts (1832 & 1867)

Bagehot’s Analysis § 1867 “The English Constitution” § Two parts § 1. “dignified” § “excite and preserve the reverence of the population” § “attach” the population to the state/government § Basis for legitimacy and authority

Bagehot’s Analysis § 2. “effective”/”efficient” § How power is employed § Actual functioning of the institutions § Reality

Structure of the U. K. Government § 1. Constitutional monarchy § 2. Unitary state § 3. Parliamentary democracy § Executive is part of and answerable to Parliament (House of Commons) § 4. Fusion of Power § Cabinet government § Collective decision making § Collective responsibility

Test yourself § Which of the following institutions may delay or debate legislation, but not create new legislation, in England? § A. office of the Exchequer § B. prime minister § C. Cabinet § D. House of Commons § E. House of Lords

Test yourself § Which of the following institutions may delay or debate legislation, but not create new legislation, in England? § E. House of Lords

The Structure of Government § Crown rather than a constitution symbolizes the authority of government. § § Monarch only ceremonial head of state. § § § Government officials Whitehall Downing Street Parliament What constitutes the Crown? § Collectively referred to as Westminster Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Monarchy § Political Roles § “Assents” to legislation § Queen’s Speech § Written by the government and delivered at the State opening of Parliament each year § Sets out the legislative agenda for the year ahead § Doesn’t include everything § Budget and pre-budget reports excluded

What the Prime Minister Says and Does § Political Leader § Ambiguous Duties § Imperatives of the Prime Minister: § Winning elections § Campaigning through the media § Focus of media attention § Dispenses Patronage § Parliamentary performance § Making and balancing policies Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Prime Minister’s Roles § 1. Party Leader § Maintain support of fellow MPs § Keep coalition together (if necessary) § 2. Leader of government § Question Time – defend government policies and answer questions

The Prime Minister – Downing Street § Speaks legitimately for all members of Parliament § Chooses, moves and dismisses cabinet ministers and important subordinate posts § Chairs Cabinet and determines its agenda § Appoints senior members of civil service § Makes decisions in the Cabinet, with the agreement of the ministers

The Prime Minister – Downing Street § 3. Politician § Guide his party to victory in general elections § Determine date of “general elections” § Campaigns for and represents the party in parliamentary elections § Electoral victory = “mandate” for party manifesto

The Prime Minister § 4. National & International Leader § Represents the nation at international summits § Focus of media attention

The Prime Minister § Nothing equivalent to Article II of the US Constitution that defines the PM’s powers § Instead powers come from “convention”

The Prime Minister § Additional powers as mentioned in Gordon Brown’s speech § § Power of the executive to declare war Power to request dissolution of Parliament Power of the recall of Parliament Power of the executive to ratify international treaties w/o a decision by Parliament

Interest Group View of Who Holds the Most Power (‘ 92)

The Prime Minister § Chairman of the Cabinet § § Primus inter pares When the Cabinet meets and what it discusses Sums up the discussion Determines the extent and composition of Cabinet committees § Head of Civil Service reports directly to PM § Deliver government’s promises

The Cabinet and Cabinet Ministers § § § Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords Remain important as department heads Major Whitehall departments differ greatly from each other Political reputation of ministers depends on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Prime Minister § Appointment of Ministers § By “convention” normally drawn from Parliament § Predominantly from the House of Commons § Drawn from the PM’s majority party § Balance geography & different wings of the party § Appointment assures ministerial loyalty § Collective responsibility

The Cabinet § PM + Cabinet = “the government” § The “collective decision-making body” of British (UK) government § 20 -24 members § Ministerial heads of principal government departments

The Cabinet § Ministers roles § Initiate policies § Oversee the actions of thousands of civil servants § Interact with the media § Not an expert in his policy area § Is an expert in Parliamentary politics § They must rely on their advisors and civil servants

The Cabinet § As a body, it has no legal powers § Instead the powers are vested in ministers § When the government takes on new powers, those powers are vested in ministers § Major policies are announced through the publication of a “white paper” § Report/policy document that has gone through the cabinet but was drawn up within departments

The Cabinet § Cabinet is challenged by the “Shadow Cabinet” of the opposition § Adversarial § The PM may choose to have the Sovereign dismiss a minister § The PM may conduct a Cabinet “reshuffle” § Ministers are reassigned to different departments § Bound by two conventions § Cabinet collective responsibility § Cabinet independent responsibility

Collective Responsibility § Members must resign if they do not support the policies of the Government set forth by the PM § Ministers may argue in a cabinet session, but once a decision has been made, they are required to support it publically § Similar to a concept called “democratic centralism § If a motion of no confidence passes, all cabinet members must resign § Members of the cabinet accept responsibility for decisions made by it

Individual Responsibility § If a minister’s department is involved in a major scandal, the minister is considered responsible for the problem, even though the fault may not be his/hers § If the minister is involved in a personal scandal, the minister must resign

Cabinet Government § In theory, the Cabinet is a “check” on the PM’s power § The PM must gain the support of a majority of the cabinet for any significant decisions § Concept weakened under Thatcher & Blair § Meetings are “dull & perfunctory, and debate is rare. ” § The PM, a few key cabinet ministers, and a handful of advisers make decisions in smaller gatherings.

Case Study: The Iraq War § Decision to go to war was discussed § “but was never subjected to the full-scale debate and formal cabinet approval” § “To gain assent for the Iraq War, the PM had summoned cabinet ministers individually. ” § Cabinet meetings were beside the point

Cabinet Government § The PM holds or controls many of the levers of power in the core executive § His/her office helps develop policy, coordinates operations, and functions as a liaison with the media, the party, interest groups and the Parliament § “The culmination of a long process of centralization of power in the hands of the PM is seen in the declining role of the Cabinet and the increased development of resources inside Number 10. ”

The Role of Parliament (Westminster) § Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party. § If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if it is defeated § MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Role of Parliament § Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament § Government rather than Parliament sets budget § Parliament is “a policy-ratifying” body Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Role of Parliament § Functions of MPs: § weigh political reputations § publicize issues § scrutinize legislation § examine how Whitehall departments administer public policies § MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Role of Parliament § House of Lords § Unique as second chamber because initially composed of hereditary peers § 1999: Labour abolished right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords § Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters § Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills § Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Civil Service – “Whitehall” Largest number of civil servants are clerical staff with little discretion § Most important group of civil servants is smallest group § Advise ministers, oversee work of their departments § Top civil servants are bipartisan, ready to work for whichever party is winner § Thatcher: focus on making civil service more businesslike § Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Bureaucracy § Permanent secretary § Very senior career civil servant who has responsibility for running a department § Civil servants do much of the work of conceptualizing and refining legislation § Done by committee staff in US Congress § Political because they are concerned with formulating, revising, and advising on policies

The Bureaucracy § Bipartisan because they need to be ready to work for whichever party is the winner of an election § Ministers rely on the expertise of senior civil servants because they are political appointees and often not experts in the area they are responsible for

The Bureaucracy § Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) § Since the 1970’s an increasing number of administrative functions have been transferred to bodies that are part of the government in terms of funding, function and appointment of staff § But, they operate at arm’s length from ministers

The Bureaucracy § NDPBs are better known as QUANGOs § Quasi-nongovernmental organizations § They take responsibility for specific functions and can combine governmental and private sector expertise § Some are involved in the delivery of services

The British State: Enduring Myths and Changing Realities The rest of the state § § § Civil servants act as administrators, not policy makers Regulatory agencies oversee former government corporations QUANGOs make a great deal of policy and regulation While courts have potential to be more active, they have never exercised a policy-making role

The Courts and Abuses of Power § Supreme Court created as highest judicial authority, 2009 § Replaced old practice of highest court being committee of House of Lords § “Law Lords” § Court consists of president and 11 justices § Serves as final appeal on points of law § Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of Parliament unconstitutional Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Court System in England Wales § Supreme Court § Final word on all types of cases other than criminal matters in Scotland § Also rule in disputes over devolution § No power of judicial review § Violation of “parliamentary supremacy” § May issue declaration of incompatability

Great Britain: Supreme Court § However, The Court must enforce § directly applicable European Union law, and § interpret domestic law so far as possible consistently with European Union law. § It must also enforce the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. § A sovereignty issue caused by membership in the EU

Great Britain: Courts § Human Rights Act 1998: Rights guaranteed in the European Convention on Human Rights are secured in British courts.

Government as Network § Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies § Prime Minister § Cabinet Ministers § In coalition government major decisions cannot be made by single politician Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Culture and Legitimacy § § Legitimacy comes from history, tradition, monarchy, democracy Who should be involved in decision making? § § § Trusteeship Theory of Government: leaders take initiative and use own best judgment Collectivist Theory of Government: government balances competing demands; parties represent groups/classes Individualist Theory of Government: parties represent people not groups; freedom from government; choice; “market” Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

British Political Culture § § § § Will there always be a Britain? Identification with the UK has declined in past 40 years Resurgence of support for regional parties in Scotland Wales Devolution (regional parliaments) Monarchy’s loss of influence and prestige Increasing racial diversity (most born in the UK) Growing importance of the EU

Political Socialization § Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate § Family and Gender: create youthful identification with party § Education: more educated not as likely to be conservative as once were § Class: Conservative = middle class, Labour = working class § Mass Media: only a few papers, TV is primary source of news Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Participation § Voting: competitive elections bring higher turnout § Sign Petitions § Contact Politicians § Party Volunteers § Most politically involved are no more than 1/10 of 1 percent of electorate. Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Participation § The British electorate § Long time class-based politics upset by radicalism and Thatcher victories § Rather than realignment, it was a dealignment § Labour victories probably the result of voter “fatigue” with Conservative government and Labour’s success in appealing to middle class and post-materialist voters

Political Recruitment § Important political roles: § § Cabinet minister higher civil servant partisan advisers intermittent public persons § Each group has own recruitment pattern § Starting early on political career necessary for success § Geography –career will be spent in London Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Organizing Group Interests § Civil society institutions flourished in Britain for centuries § Confederation of British Industries: big business, direct contacts with Whitehall § Trades Union Congress: labor § Voluntary/Charitable Associations § Lobbying must be done at highest levels where bills are drafted Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Interest Groups Want § § Most interest groups pursue three goals: § sympathetic administration of established policies § information about government policies and changes in policies § influence on policymaking Insider Interest Groups: have values in harmony with all parties Outsider Interest Groups: demands are inconsistent with party in power Keeping Interest Groups at a Distance: less reliance on negotiations with groups and more on authority of Crown Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Party System and Electoral Choice § § § General election must occur at least once every five years Prime minister is free to call election any time Winner is candidate who is first past the post (plurality) Winner nationally is party that gains most seats Two party system vs. multiparty system Distribution of seats in House of Commons different from distribution of share of votes Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Party Images and Appeals § Terminology of left/right rejected by British voters § median voter tends to choose central position, a tenth on far left or far right § consensus among voters on variety of issues; economy, crime, health service major concerns § parties emphasize collectivist economic interests and consensual goals § Governing party has votes to enact parliamentary legislation, regardless of protests by opposition § New governments must also enforce the laws enacted by the previous governments Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies § Unitary state, political authority is centralized § Decisions are binding on public agencies through Acts of Parliament and regulations § Treasury must authorize expenditures before bill can be put to Parliament § Minister must pilot bill through Parliament § Minister may also negotiate agreement with public agencies outside and with affected interest groups Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies § Devolution to Elected Officials: § Local government is subordinate to central government § Scotland Wales to representative assemblies § Local council elections fought on party lines § Local government divided into two tiers of county, district councils, each with responsibility for local services § Central government grants are largest source of local government revenue Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies § Nonelected Institutions: § Executive agencies § National Health Service (NHS) § Quasi-Autonomous Nongovernmental Organizations QUANGOs) § Advisory Committees § Administrative Tribunals § Turning to the Market § Privatization Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Why Public Policy Matters § Government relies on three major resources to produce benefits of public policy: § Laws – unique resource of government; contracts are only effective if enforced § Money – taxes on incomes and consumption and stealth taxes § Personnel – public employees are needed to administer laws and deliver services § Social security most costly program of British government Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Outcomes in Society § Outputs of public policy play significant part in everyday lives of Britons § Benefits received are especially important for low-income families § Average family makes use of at least two major social programs: health and education services § Broad agreement about need to make economy more competitive in global economy § Differences of opinion about policy that can best achieve goal Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Great Britain: Supreme Court § Is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland § Hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance § Concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance

British Political Culture § The civic culture and the collectivist years § high levels of legitimacy § great civic tolerance § patriotic enthusiasm

Great Britain § Rule of law tradition: § Magna Carta 1215 § Common law (case law): precedent: § Independent court § Measures: § World Bank Governance Percentile Rank: 92. 3 § Freedom House: PR-1, CL-1

Court System in England Wales § Lower level (original jurisdiction) § Magistrates’ courts for minor criminal cases § Crown courts for serious criminal cases § High Court § Chancery Division (equity, tax, bankruptcy) § Family Division § Queen’s Bench (contract, tort & commercial cases)

Court System Scotland § Treaty of Union of 1707 guaranteed the Scottish legal system. § Original jurisdiction § District Courts § Sheriffs Courts § High Court of Justiciary (very serious criminal cases + appeals from lower courts) § Court of Session (civil cases)

Great Britain: Supreme Court § In giving effect to rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights, The Court must take account of any decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. § An individual contending that his Convention rights have not been respected by a decision of a United Kingdom court (including The Supreme Court) against which he has no domestic recourse may bring a claim against the United Kingdom before the European Court of Human Rights.

Great Britain: Supreme Court § Under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (article 267), The Court must refer to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg any question of European Union law, where the answer is not clear and is necessary for it to give judgment.

Political Culture and Legitimacy § Evidenced by readiness of British people to comply with basic political laws § Not related to economic calculations § Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy § Habit and tradition Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

British Political Culture § The politics of protest: toward an uncivic culture? § growing unrest in 1970 s § Northern Ireland a battlefield § Urban race riots § Radicalization of unions in face of growing unemployment and economic decline § Renewed activism of anti-nuclear, anti-war movements § polarization of politics and alienation of the center

British Political Culture § The civic culture holds § Dangers of protest were fleeting § Economic recovery of the 1980 s eased many problems § skepticism toward politicians grew

Political Participation § Interest groups § Trades Union Council and Confederation of British Industries are dominant peak associations § Lobbying must be done at highest levels where bills are drafted

Political Participation § § § § The Conservatives Traditionally pragmatic politicians Historically practiced “noblesse oblige” Elitist and effective party organization Opening organization to more democratic processes led to Thatcher’s election Since Thatcher, party has struggled to find success Benefitted from “Labour fatigue” in 2010 § § Coalition with Lib-Dems Challenged by anti-immigrant & anti-EU parties

Political Participation § § § Labour Began as alliance of unions, socialists, and cooperative associations in the early 20 th century Led by pragmatic politicians for 70 years Economic crisis and New Left activists led to leadership by party’s left wing Leaders more interested in electoral success than ideology were chosen in mid-‘ 80 s New Labour, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and younger, more moderate leaders took over in mid-1990 s

Political Participation The Liberal Democrats § Product of 1987 merger of Liberal and Social Democratic parties § Plurality elections prevent it from winning as many seats as their percentage of national vote would seem to entitle it § Currently challenging the Conservatives as second-largest party § Minor parties §

Central Authority and Decentralized Delivery of Policies § From Trust to Contract: § Civil service has relied on trust in delivering policies § Government buying from private sector § The Contingency of Influence: § Theory of British government is centralist. § All roads lead to Downing Street § Influence varies with problem Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.