FAQs about Great Britain http www parliament uk

FAQs about Great Britain http: //www. parliament. uk/ Population 59. 8 million (predominantly urban and suburban) Independence: from 12 th century Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II Head of Government: Prime Minister Tony Blair Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Protestant (Presbyterian, Methodist), Sikh, Hindu, Jewish

Important Characteristics A very secular state – dates from Henry VIII’s break with the catholic church Westminster style of government n n n Parliamentary sovereignty Unitary state Fusion of powers (eg: cabinet) Industrial revolution Loss of empire Uneasy relationship with Europe

International Influence European state with middling influence on regional or world affairs Post-colonial power with cultural and economic ties to old colonies An unequal partner in a special relationship with the USA

Culture of Democracy in Britain Tradition of democracy dating prior to 12 th century Critical events n World war II Devolution n Scotland Wales Northern Ireland (peace process)

The Environment of Politics Political divisions n n n States: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a union not a federal system Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales England has 56% of the population of great Britain Multiracial England n The after-effects of colonialism

Insularity, Involvement and Isolation Shrinking military and diplomatic commitments n Absence of popular support Dependency on world trade World organizations n n n Commonwealth (50 sovereign states) United nations European union Citizen self-identification n n Non-european +50% The English Channel – symbolic & literal separation

Insularity and the EU 1957 EU created GB does not join 1973 – Edward Heath, GB joins but in limited manner 1975 referendum 67 – 33 % favor EU Remains controversial Thatcher government opposes Maastricht Treaty – Major government barely ratifies it in 1993 Blair Government discusses possibility of national referendum on adoption of Euro but backs away as popular dissatisfaction becomes clear (currently, the Pound is stronger than the Euro).

Explanations for Enduring Political Legitimacy Following “the rules of the game” Willingness of citizens to be governed n n Even Scots and Welsh accept parliament as an institution, want their own devolution Tradition Habit

One Crown-Five “Nations” United Kingdom (1) n n England (2) Scotland (3) Wales (4) Northern Ireland (5) Northern Ireland n Protestant majority, dominate government Ireland (Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – multiple identifications.

Structure of Government Crown - symbolic Unwritten Constitution n Mix: acts of Parliament, judicial pronouncements, customs, conventions about the “rules of the game” Parliament n n Final authority (U. S. SC) – parliamentary sovereignty House of Lords, House of Commons Courts n n n No judicial review Statutory examination only. Individuals have had no redress in courts until Blair govt. incorporated European Convention of Human Rights

British Parliament Bicameral House of Commons n n n Lower house Government formed from Commons Single member first past the post districts House of Lords n n n Upper house Life peerage

House of Commons (659) n n n May 1997 new districts increased the number of seats in Commons from 651 to 659 Select committee on modernization of the House of Commons established (1997). Sitting hours, devolution, House of Lords w The House of Lords Act 1999 – restricted the number of hereditary peers in Lords to 92 (678) n sole jurisdiction over finance.

House of Lords shorn of most power can review, amend, or delay temporarily any bills except those relating to the budget 1999, the government removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to hold seats in the House of Lords. Currently consists of appointed life peers who hold their seats for life and 92 hereditary peers who will hold their seats only until final reforms have been agreed upon and implemented. Highest court of appeals

Other Parliaments of the UK Scottish Parliament – Welsh Assembly n n 1997 Scottish/Welsh referenda British Government introduced legislation to establish a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly. Elections for each were held May 6, 1999. The Welsh Assembly opened on May 26, and the Scottish Parliament opened on July 1, 1999. The devolved legislatures have largely taken over most of the functions previously performed by the Scottish and Welsh offices.

Northern Ireland 1921 -73 had its own parliament and prime minister British Government imposed direct rule in order to deal with the deteriorating political and security situation. 1973 - 1990 s, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, based in London, was responsible for the region, including efforts to resolve the issues that lay behind the "the Troubles. “

Northern Ireland – peace, devolution and assembly Mid-1990 s peace pressure increases n Former U. S. Senator George Mitchell leads process Good Friday Accords 1998 n n approved by majorities in both Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland Major elements: work toward "total disarmament of all paramilitary organizations, " police reform, and enhanced mechanisms to guarantee human rights and equal opportunity. Also, formal cooperation between the Northern Ireland institutions and the Government of the Republic of Ireland, established the British-Irish Council w (representatives from British, Irish Governments as well as the devolved Governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Northern Ireland – Self Determination? IN Legislature reestablished in Northern Ireland in December 1999 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement provides for a 108 -member elected Assembly, overseen by a 12 -minister Executive Committee (cabinet) in which unionists and nationalists share leadership responsibility. Northern Ireland elects 18 representatives to the Westminster Parliament in London. However, the two Sinn Fein MPs, who won seats in the last election, have refused to claim their seats.

Northern Ireland – Current Status 2002 progress continues on elements of GFA IRA has undertaken two acts of decommissioning of its weapons the assembly functions when not suspended as result of sporadic violence/violations of GFA Efforts at normalizing security underway U. S. has given or pledged over $300 million to the International Fund for Ireland

Parliamentary Legitimacy Causes of Legitimacy? n n Habit and tradition Political socialization reinforcing culture Trusteeship theory of government n n Leaders behave in public interest but with initiative Conservative Party/New Labour Collectivist theory n n Balancing competing interests of citizens Traditional Conservatives Individualist theory n n Direct representation of citizens Liberal Democratic Party

The Prime Minister Effective political executive in Britain Must manage party politics: loyalty, co-option, representativeness, competence n n n Patronage –frontbenchers, backbenchers Parliamentary performance – question time Media performance – Press scrutiny Winning elections – election as party leader Policy leadership – overall direction of the government, international affairs, party leadership

The Executive – Cabinet Government Emphasizes key roles of executive government (policymaking, control of gov’t, coordination of departments) PM selects loyal supporters to serve as ministers in the cabinet (frontbenchers) Membership in parliament and cabinet required – no fixed size Diverse roles (potential PMs) n n Run their ministry Member of parliament duties Duty to the PM Duty to the political tendency of the party

Cabinet Government (continued) Principle of Collective Responsibility n Requires all ministers bound to support any action taken by an agency in the name of the government. Checks on the Prime Minister n n n PMs need the support of the majority of their Cabinets for significant decisions Vote of no confidence in the commons PM can dismiss the cabinet

Conclusions and Comparisons As an individual politician the Prime Minister has less formal authority than the American President (and most Presidents). Collectively the British government is more powerful than the administration of an American president. Circumstances and the individuals holding these offices will always play a role.

Political Parties of the UK Great Britain– Two party majoritarian system (emerging 3 rd party) n Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats (Liberal and Social Democratic party) Scotland--Scottish National Party Wales--Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) Northern Ireland n Ulster Unionist Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Fein, Alliance Party, and other smaller parties. Suffrage: British subjects, citizens of other Commonwealth countries, the Irish Republic resident in the UK, at 18.

The Judiciary Judicial--magistrates' courts, county courts, high courts, appellate courts, House of Lords. Independent but without Judicial Review More limited than France, German or US court systems Parliamentary sovereignty limits Judiciary

Judiciary Power only to determine whether policy directives/administrative acts violate common law or an act of parliament Less politicized/influential Increasingly courts are being called on to intervene in controversy Impact on democracy in GB? Role of EU courts?

Economy – Modern History Status as political and economic hegemon led to complacency. Dependent on free trade and raw materials (colonies). 1890 falling behind in technical innovation, domestic manufacturing, scale of production (facilities).

Economy – Approaches No institutionalized relationship between government and organized economic interests Laissez faire relationship between government and economic actors State = limited role in economic and social life

Economy – Previous Approaches Keynesianism n State budget deficits used to expand demand to boost consumption and investment when the economy slows. Post World War Two economic prosperity n Keynesian economics works to the 1970 s. State economic intervention focuses on the balance of power n n Public/private via privatization of industries (late 1970 s, 1980 s) From labor to management by affirming management authority -- but no state sponsored planning…

Economy – past to current approaches Macro-economic policy also limited by lack of political cohesion Exception – nationalized industries GB limits role to broad policy instruments designed to have general impact (state revenues and expenditures) 1970 s recession shows limits of Keynesianism