Chap. 2: Great Britain Flashcards
National Identity- England
Largest region in Great Britain. Contains the majority of the population. Have dominated other nationalities and have a disproportionate share of political power.
National Identity- Wales
Very into their Welsh pride. Even though they accepted English authority a long time ago, some resentment remains.
National Identity- Scotland
Resisted English authority for a long time, but eventually jointed to England through intermarriage of royalty. They then agreed to a single parliament in London, but still have a strong national identity.
National Identity- Northern Ireland
English and Ireland have a long history of arguing over religion. Oliver Cromwell wanted Ireland to become Protestant, but Ireland wanted to stay Catholic. After WWI Ireland was granted “home rule” with the exception of Northern Ireland, were Protestants outnumbered Catholics. Ireland then became a totally independent country and Northern Ireland remained under British rule.
Solidarity
….
“Public School” vs. “Private School”
Elite people have attend public boarding schools. They were designed to train young men for the military. Middle-class students attend private grammar schools, were students wear uniforms but do not spend the night.
Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge Universities)
Almost half of all Conservative members of Parliament went to Oxbridge. and so have a quarter of of all Labour MPs. Sense WWII, more scholarships have been available to Oxbridge, so that more working or middle class youths can attend the elite schools.
Distinct minority/majority cleavages - Muslims
Muslims have an identity of being a minority distinct from a well-established majority, such as the English in Britain or the French in France.
Social class difference of Muslims
In the US Muslims are relatively well-off, but in Britain disaffected and unemployed.
Where do most Muslims immigrate from?
Most are from Pakistan, but many are also from Turkey and Africa.
“Politics of Protest”
The tendency to disagree openly and sometimes violently with the government.
What percent of people vote in parliamentary elections?
More then 70%.
Parliamentary
The prime minister and cabinet ministers are actually members of the legislature.
Linkage Institutions
Groups that connect the government to its citizens.
Ex. political parties, interest groups
Conservative Party
The main party on the right; split between the traditional wing and “Thatcherites.”
Noblesse oblige
The duty of the upper classes to take responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes.
The traditional wing (one-nation Tories)
vs.
The Thatcherite wing
Values noblesse oblige and wants country ruled by an elite that takes everybody’s interests into account before voting.
vs.
Wants to roll back government controls and move to full free market. Members are referred to as “Eurosceptics” because they see the EU’s move to European integration as a threat to British sovereignty.
Labour Party
Main part on the left; began as an alliance of trade unions and socialist groups;
have moved toward the center since the 1990s; generally more supportive of EU membership.
Liberal Democratic Party
Goal was to establish a strong party in the middle; between the Conservative party and the Labour party.
Nick Clegg
Criticized the Labour government for its erosion of individual civil liberties.
How often is a new prime minister elected?
Every five years unless the prime minister calls an election sooner.
Alterante Vote
Allowed voters to rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference.
Interest group pluralism
Guard their independence by selecting their own leaders and raising their own funds. These autonomous groups compete with each other and with the government for influence over state policies.
Neo-corporatism
Interest groups take the lead and sometimes dominate the state.
QUANGO’s
Quasi-autonomous nongovernmental organizations
Trade Unions Congress (TUC)
The voice of working people. They try to pass policies that will benefit citizens at work.
Confederation of Business Industries (CBI)
Promotes the interests of business.
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
To educate citizens through media.
Parliamentary
Executive branch and legislature are combined, because the prime minister and the cabinet are the actual leaders of parliament.
Collective cabinet
The center of policy making in the British political system.
Unitary state
…..
“Loyal opposition”
All parties that are not the winning party.
“Shadow cabinet”
……
“Vote of no confidence”
If party members do not support their leader they vote on weather or they leave should leave.
Law lords
Until 2009 served as Britain’s highest court of appeals ?????
Hereditary peers
Hold seats that have been passed down through family ties over the centuries.
Life peers
People appointed to nonhereditary positions as a result of distinguished service to Britain.
Discretionary power
They are offered or suggested not mandatory ??????
Parliamentary sovereignty
Parliament’ s decisions are final.
Common law
Based on tradition, past practices, and legal precedents.
Supreme Court
Replaced the “Law lords” (members of the House of Lords who were designated as the highest judicial authority in Great Britain) in 2009.
Keynesianism
The government took action to secure full employment, expand social services, maintain a steady rate of growth, and keep prices stable.
Neo-liberalism
The revival of the old political and economic philosophy of liberalism that had guided Britain in earlier years.
“Misery index”
The Blair-Brown team brought Britain’s “Misery index” (inflation plus unemployment) down to a new low.
“Big Society”
Emphasizes greater roles for private companies.
Devolution
Transferring power to a lower level.
Collective consensus
Both the Labour and Conservative parties supporting the development of a modern welfare state.
