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.
