case study: politics in britain copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 pearson education, inc. all rights...
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Case Study:
Politics in Britain
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Country Bio: United KingdomCountry Bio: United Kingdom
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Policy Challenges Facing BritainPolicy Challenges Facing Britain General Election of 2010 - no party won
majority in House of Commons. Conservative Party of David Cameron -
307 seats Labour Party of Gordon Brown - 258 seats Liberal Democratic Party of Nick Clegg -
57 seats. Conservatives, Liberal Democrats formed
coalition Government’s offices divided between
Cameron as prime minister and Clegg as deputy prime minister
General Election of 2010 - no party won majority in House of Commons.
Conservative Party of David Cameron - 307 seats
Labour Party of Gordon Brown - 258 seats Liberal Democratic Party of Nick Clegg -
57 seats. Conservatives, Liberal Democrats formed
coalition Government’s offices divided between
Cameron as prime minister and Clegg as deputy prime minister
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Policy Challenges Facing BritainPolicy Challenges Facing Britain
British Empire = Commonwealth Antigua and Australia to India,
Pakistan, Zambia differ in wealth, culture, commitment to democracy.
Special relationship with U.S. Britain’s world position has declined European Community (1957) – now
EU Britain did not join until 1973 Created more policy challenges
British Empire = Commonwealth Antigua and Australia to India,
Pakistan, Zambia differ in wealth, culture, commitment to democracy.
Special relationship with U.S. Britain’s world position has declined European Community (1957) – now
EU Britain did not join until 1973 Created more policy challenges
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Structure of GovernmentThe Structure of Government
Crown rather than a constitution symbolizes the authority of government. Monarch only ceremonial head of state.
What constitutes the Crown? Government Government officials Whitehall Downing Street Parliament Collectively referred to as Westminster
Crown rather than a constitution symbolizes the authority of government. Monarch only ceremonial head of state.
What constitutes the Crown? Government Government officials Whitehall Downing Street Parliament Collectively referred to as Westminster
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
What the Prime Minister Says and DoesWhat the Prime Minister Says and Does
Political Leader Ambiguous Duties Imperatives of the Prime
Minister: Winning elections Campaigning through the
media Patronage Parliamentary performance Making and balancing
policies
Political Leader Ambiguous Duties Imperatives of the Prime
Minister: Winning elections Campaigning through the
media Patronage Parliamentary performance Making and balancing
policies
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Cabinet and Cabinet MinistersThe Cabinet and Cabinet Ministers
Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister
Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords
Remain important as department heads Major Whitehall departments differ
greatly from each other Political reputation of ministers depends
on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall
Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister
Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords
Remain important as department heads Major Whitehall departments differ
greatly from each other Political reputation of ministers depends
on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall
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The Civil ServiceThe Civil Service
Largest number of civil servants are clerical staff with little discretion
Most important group of civil servants is smallest group Advise ministers, oversee work of
their departments Top civil servants are bipartisan,
ready to work for whichever party is winner
Thatcher: focus on making civil service more businesslike
Largest number of civil servants are clerical staff with little discretion
Most important group of civil servants is smallest group Advise ministers, oversee work of
their departments Top civil servants are bipartisan,
ready to work for whichever party is winner
Thatcher: focus on making civil service more businesslike
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The Role of ParliamentThe Role of Parliament
Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party.
If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if it is defeated
MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs
Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament
Government rather than Parliament sets budget
Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party.
If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if it is defeated
MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs
Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament
Government rather than Parliament sets budget
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The Role of ParliamentThe Role of Parliament
Functions of MPs: weigh political reputations publicize issues scrutinize legislation examine how Whitehall
departments administer public policies
MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers
Functions of MPs: weigh political reputations publicize issues scrutinize legislation examine how Whitehall
departments administer public policies
MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers
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The Role of ParliamentThe Role of Parliament House of Lords
Unique as second chamber because initially composed of hereditary peers
1999: Labour abolished right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords
Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters
Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills
Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills
House of Lords Unique as second chamber because
initially composed of hereditary peers 1999: Labour abolished right of all but
92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords
Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters
Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills
Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills
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The Courts and Abuses of PowerThe Courts and Abuses of Power Supreme Court created as highest
judicial authority, 2009 Replaced old practice of highest court
being committee of House of Lords Court consists of president and 11
justices Serves as final appeal on points of law Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of
Parliament unconstitutional
Supreme Court created as highest judicial authority, 2009
Replaced old practice of highest court being committee of House of Lords
Court consists of president and 11 justices
Serves as final appeal on points of law Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of
Parliament unconstitutional
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Government as NetworkGovernment as Network
Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies Prime Minister Cabinet Ministers In coalition government major
decisions cannot be made by single politician
Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies Prime Minister Cabinet Ministers In coalition government major
decisions cannot be made by single politician
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Political Culture and LegitimacyPolitical Culture and Legitimacy
Trusteeship Theory of Government: leaders take initiative
Collectivist Theory of Government: government balances competing demands
Individualist Theory of Government: parties represent people not geoups
Trusteeship Theory of Government: leaders take initiative
Collectivist Theory of Government: government balances competing demands
Individualist Theory of Government: parties represent people not geoups
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Political Culture and LegitimacyPolitical Culture and Legitimacy Evidenced by readiness of British
people to comply with basic political laws
Not related to economic calculations
Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy
Habit and tradition
Evidenced by readiness of British people to comply with basic political laws
Not related to economic calculations
Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy
Habit and tradition
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Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Political SocializationPolitical Socialization
Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate Family and Gender: create youthful
identification with party Education: more educated not as
likely to be conservative as once were Class: Conservative = middle class,
Labour = working class Mass Media: only a few papers, TV is
primary source of news
Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate Family and Gender: create youthful
identification with party Education: more educated not as
likely to be conservative as once were Class: Conservative = middle class,
Labour = working class Mass Media: only a few papers, TV is
primary source of newsCopyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Organizing Group InterestsOrganizing Group Interests
Civil society institutions flourished in Britain for centuries Confederation of British
Industries: big business, direct contacts with Whitehall
Trades Union Congress: labor Voluntary/Charitable
Associations
Civil society institutions flourished in Britain for centuries Confederation of British
Industries: big business, direct contacts with Whitehall
Trades Union Congress: labor Voluntary/Charitable
Associations
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Party System and Electoral ChoiceParty System and Electoral Choice General election must occur at least once
every five years Prime minister is free to call election any
time Winner is candidate who is first past the
post (plurality) Winner nationally is party that gains most
seats Two party system vs. multiparty system Distribution of seats in House of Commons
different from distribution of share of votes
General election must occur at least once every five years
Prime minister is free to call election any time
Winner is candidate who is first past the post (plurality)
Winner nationally is party that gains most seats
Two party system vs. multiparty system Distribution of seats in House of Commons
different from distribution of share of votes
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Why Public Policy MattersWhy Public Policy Matters
Government relies on three major resources to produce benefits of public policy: Laws – unique resource of government;
contracts are only effective if enforced Money – taxes on incomes and
consumption and stealth taxes Personnel – public employees are needed
to administer laws and deliver services Social security most costly program of
British government
Government relies on three major resources to produce benefits of public policy: Laws – unique resource of government;
contracts are only effective if enforced Money – taxes on incomes and
consumption and stealth taxes Personnel – public employees are needed
to administer laws and deliver services Social security most costly program of
British government
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.