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The United Kingdom Test Dillon Patel

Gradualism: Its democracy evolved over a number of centuries in a

process known as gradualism

It did have to face the challenges of creating a nation-state,

overcoming religious and class conflict and the strife that often

accompanies democratization. However, unlike most states, it was

able to spread these challenges out over a number of centuries and

to largely resolve each of them before it had to meet the next.

The Economy

Has been on economic decline since 2002

The House of Commons

More powerful than the House of Lords

Why is Britain part of Comparative Politics?

1. The incubator of liberal democracy (representative) 2. Its Gradualism

3. Has been one of the worlds greatest powers

4. Its political system is very similar to most English speaking

countries making it a good country to begin with

Beveridge Report (1942)

Called for a social insurance program in which every citizen would

be eligible for Health Care unemployment insurance, pensions, and

other benefits that would guarantee all Britons a least a subsistence

income

Collective Consensus (1945-1975)

The golden era of British politics

Leaders from both party agreed on a variety of political goals

o Full employment, some social services, cooperation with labor

unions and government intervention to secure economic

growth

Although labor began to weaken, Capitalism did not repeal much of

its policy, but actually did much of the opposite Each party consistently expanded the role of the state

The End: 1970s Economic Collapse

o Raising unemployment, lowering GDP, and stagflation

Original Cleavages

Conservatives: rich, urban, aristocrats, middle class

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Liberal: worker, city, London, poor

Conservatives

Successful because..

o 1. Pragmatic

o 2. Nobleo 3. Elitist, but effective organization

Thatcherism (1980s)

o Finally defeat union supremacy

o Not actually that far left

o Renewal of more free market economy

Privatization

Reduced spending for social services

Curbed the power of Unions

Opposed integration into Europe

Reasserted Britains influence in global affairs

Labor Party

Began as alliance of trade unions, independent socialist

movements, and cooperative associations: but became TOO liberal

and had to move more center to compete in elections

Social Democratic Party: Closer to center labor party members

Tony Blair (1994)

o Despite their original plans, ended up keeping many ofThatchers reforms

o Blair had a bright, engaging personality and was possibly one

of Britains most effective Politicians

o His siding with the US on Iraq caused his downfall

British Political Culture

Collectivist years: Most believed in the legitimacy of the

government and that they had a level of efficacy (ability to

influence the political process as individuals).

1970s: more reservations about the government

o radicalization of Northern Ireland and the Unions

Good Friday Agreement (1998)

Gave Northern Ireland a regional government in which all parties

will be represented or a proportional basis.

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o Later agreements did the same for Scotland and Wales.

The major of London will be directly elected

Immigration

Conservatives: tend to opposed the integration of races in British

society Euroskepics

the large majority of English citizens

Maastricht Treat: created the multinational organization in the early

1900s, the English were incredibly hesitant

o due to their feared loss of national distinctiveness and the

viability of the Euro.

The Act of Settlement of 1701

designed to secure the Protestant succession to the throne, and to

strengthen the guarantees for ensuring parliamentary system of

government

strengthened

the Bill of Rights

No Roman Catholic, nor anyone married to a Roman Catholic, could

hold the English Crown.

The Magna Carta

The Magna Carta, written in 1215, is the most historic document

that has come to define both the history of England and in essencethe democratic world. The manuscript stated that King John, a 13 th

century tyrant, no longer held absolute power and would need the

consent of Parliament before forming policy, raising taxes, or

spending money.

Vocabulary

Shadow Cabinet: the official leadership of the opposition party that

shadows the cabinet

The Backbenchers: members of the Parliament who are not in the

government of shadow cabinet