Great Britain Flashcards
1
Q
Pros of British monarchy
A
- cultural value, tradition should be kept
- symbol for UK: attracts tourists, source of income, helps to secure trade deals
- queen isn’t linked to any political party, unifies the country and is a real representative
- stable form of government (dual support structure - elected officials that govern over legislation and monarch as head of state) –> less prone to a forced takeover
2
Q
Cons of British monarchy
A
- expensive to maintain, high taxes
- relies on assumption that royal family is superior, privileged –> incompatible with modern democratic values
- living as a Royal is exhausting, no freedom, constant pressure, judgment
- Monarch no real political power, functions are mainly formal and can be taken over by elected president or other political bodies
- hereditary monarchy –> successor to the throne will take the crown regardless of suitability or competency –> you can train some people to be political leaders and have them fail at the position, some might not even want to be in charge in the first place
- no democratic control over Head of State through citizens
3
Q
British Empire
A
- 1600-1945 British Empire (peak 1890-1914)
- 1/3 of world’s population was part of BE
- 2 world wars destroyed basis of Empire
- imperialistic ideology: ‘‘white man’s burden’’ to bring religion, education and western civilization to the ‘‘dark corners of the world’’
- since 1945 commonwealth of nations (former colonies as independent and equal partners)
- 1948 ‘‘windrush immigration’’ GB called upon help of commonwealth to rebuild the country –> workers faced with racism and bad treatment
4
Q
Commonwealth of Nations
A
- autonomous communities united by common allegiance to the crown (queen as head of state)
- 54 countries, 30% of world’s population
- countries like Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, New Zealand…
- how it came to being: decline of the empire, growing nationalism, demands for self-government
- principles: human rights, equality, universal access to education, economic and social development
- effectiveness: helped smooth path from colony to independence, one of the few institutions that bridges the gap between developed and bdeveloping countries
- interventions ineffective (Indian-Pakistan wars)
5
Q
Pros of Brexit
A
- GB can control its own borders
- power returns to government, can make their own decisions
- in EU: if 1 country is against legislation it doesn’t matter if the rest are in favor of it
- e.g. legislation concerning GB’s hospital system: fully open to foreigners from EU for free (and British citizens are the ones who have to pay for health care system)
- GB can prosper without being in EU: bi-lateral trade deals with fast-growing export markets (China, Brazil, Singapore)
- can concentrate on Commonwealth of Nations and support former colonies
- key member of NATO, UN security council, nuclear power
6
Q
Pros of staying in EU
A
- EU committed to peace, human rights, work together to promote these values worldwide
- major aim of EU is wellbeing of its citizens, e.g. consumer policy strategy provides basic laws to protect customers (guarantee from products, full details of food ingredients including genetically modified ingredients and artificial sweeteners)
- effective systems of border controls, any airline travelling into EU has to meet strict safety standards
- cultural advantages: Erasmus, can work and travel anywhere in EU, get to know different cultures and broaden personal horizon, dampen xenophobia and strengthen ties, prevention of serious conflicts
- EU single market responsible for 20% of global imports and exports, wide choice of goods and reduced prices, over 13 member states share same currency (easier comparison, more practical)
- EU supports poorer member states financially in order to boost economy, create jobs (e.g. living standard in Spain much higher than 20 years ago)
- staying in Single Market would mean abiding by European rules in order to allow free mobility of labor –> borders can’t be controlled by GB
- continued access to Single Market vital for British businesses and jobs)
