U.K. Flashcards
Great Britain
England, Scotland, and Wales – also shorthand for the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Population
64 million – roughly California and Texas combined
Population
64 million – roughly California and Texas combined
Size
About the size of Michigan
Sequence of Great Britain Creation
Wales and England were unified in 16th Century. Scotland joined in 1707.
Magna Carta
1215 - Latin for “Great Charter.” Statement of the rights of a community inspired by the arbitrary abuses of royal power by King John. It has inspired constitutions around the world.
Civil Wars of 1640s
Several wars over religion and governance that ended with a brief period without a monarchy led by Oliver Cromwell.
Last Catholic King
James II (1688) followed by the protestants William and Mary (as in William and Mary University)
Beginning of British Empire
With the industrial revolution, Britain sold the vast majority of its goods overseas while relying on imported raw materials. Because overseas trade was so vital to Britain, they secured markets around the world. By 1870 British trade represented 25% of world trade and by 1900 Queen Victoria ruled an empire that included 25% of the world’s population and direct rule over 50 countries, including India and Nigeria, giving them hegemonic power.
Hegemonic Power
The influence of a state to control alliances and international order.
Voting Rights
In 1820 only 5% of population could vote. Several legislative acts increased that to nearly all men and women over 30 by 1918.
Economy During WWI
State involvement increased dramatically and remained active causing friction with trade unions that wanted more worker control over production. This contradicted the traditional British policy of laissez-faire.
Laissez-faire
from the French meaning “to let do.” It refers to a policy of minimal government interference of economic markets – minimal regulation.
Devolution
Transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially from a central government to a local or regional administration.
Devolved Powers
The legislative and executive powers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Benefit of Devolution
Decision making moves closer to the citizens and is more democratic.
How long has the U.K. had devolution?
1997 for Scotland and Wales, 1998 for Northern Ireland
How many total legislatures/executives are there in the U.K.?
4 (U.K., Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
How Does it Work?
The different legislatures and executives have to communicate with each other to make sure they don’t contradict each other in a way that would be unsustainable.
Reserved powers
Powers reserved for the main U.K. parliament in London that applies to the entirety of the U.K.
Collectivism
Consensus in politics after WWII that governments should work together to narrow the gap between rich and poor and provide for basic necessities.
Welfare State
A set of public policies designed to provide for citizens’ needs through direct or indirect provision of pensions, health care, education, unemployment insurance, and assistance to the poor.
New Labour’s Third Way
Effort to modernize Britain’s Labour party to build a coalition of voters among Thatcherites (traditional conservatives who voted for Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s) and traditional Labour Party voters (blue collar workers and union members).
Hung Parliament
Outcome after a general election in which no single party holds a majority in parliament (the British parliament typically has multiple parties represented instead of just two like in the U.S.
Big Society
Political effort following hung parliament in 2010 in which partnership between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats (not the same as labour) tried to blend their objectives (Conservative belief of dynamism of free markets with Liberal Democratic belief of decentralization.
Brexit
2016 referendum about leaving the European Union
Special Relationship
Unofficial term coined by Winston Churchill to describe relationship between the U.K. and the U.S.
dirigiste
Policy in which government takes direct responsibility for economic policy (applies to countries like France, no the U.K.)
