political culture 2

8/3/2019 Political Culture 2

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A Pre-Departure Orientation P rogramon Contemporary British Culture

UK Politics and Current EventsUK Politics and Current Events

Order! Order!?Order! Order!?



Saint George (England) Saint Andrew (Scotland)

Saint Patrick (Ireland) Saint David (Wales)

Flags of the U.K.Flags of the U.K.



Political Culture in the U.K.

Institutions of UK Government

Empire and Commonwealth

Party System

Parliamentary SystemMajor Issues You’ll Hear About

Domestic Policy Differences

The UK and the EU



““The sun never sets on the British Empire.”The sun never sets on the British Empire.”



Lands claimed byBritain in NorthAmerica were

amongst theearliest to becomeBritish colonies.

The British Empire: North AmericaThe British Empire: North America



The British Empire: The CaribbeanThe British Empire: The Caribbean Risking life for glory and richesRisking life for glory and riches

Sugar peaked economic interestSugar peaked economic interest

Slave trade between Britain, Africa, andSlave trade between Britain, Africa, and

the Americasthe Americas



The British Empire: South AmericaThe British Empire: South America

AmericanAmericandominancedominance

prevented Britishprevented British

influenceinfluence Powerful BritishPowerful British

economy allowedeconomy allowed

for the “informalfor the “ informalEmpire” Empire”



The British Empire: AfricaThe British Empire: Africa

First and finalFirst and finalBritish coloniesBritish colonies

TransatlanticTransatlantic

slave tradeslave trade

Gold and ivory asGold and ivory as

attractive tradeattractive trade

goodsgoods



The British Empire: Middle EastThe British Empire: Middle East

Gulf, East Africa,Gulf, East Africa,and West Indiaand West India

tradetrade

Indian dominanceIndian dominanceregional controlregional control

and access toand access to

communicationcommunicationand suppliesand supplies



The British Empire: AsiaThe British Empire: Asia

Fortunes made inFortunes made in

spices from thespices from theOrientOrient

European stateEuropean state

rivalry strengthenedrivalry strengthenedBritainBritain

Markets in tea,Markets in tea,textiles, and opiumtextiles, and opium

EconomicallyEconomicallysuccessfulsuccessful



The British Empire: OceaniaThe British Empire: Oceania

Supported theSupported theRoyal NavyRoyal Navy

Land forLand for

undesirablesundesirables Immigrants toImmigrants to

New ZealandNew Zealand



The British Empire:The British Empire:

Europe to CommonwealthEurope to Commonwealth




Rise of CommonwealthRise of Commonwealth

Succeeded the British EmpireSucceeded the British Empire

Preserved economic and political linksPreserved economic and political links Formalized in 1931Formalized in 1931

Association of free and equal statesAssociation of free and equal states




The Commonwealth TodayThe Commonwealth Today

VoluntaryVoluntary

associationassociation

50 member states50 member states

1.8 billion people1.8 billion people

PromotesPromotes

democracy anddemocracy and

good governancegood governance

Sport, education,Sport, education,

and cultural tiesand cultural ties




The Commonwealth TodayThe Commonwealth Today

Citizens have some rights in eachCitizens have some rights in each

other’s countriesother’s countries–– Citizens can register to vote in otherCitizens can register to vote in other

Commonwealth countriesCommonwealth countries

Share imperial traditionsShare imperial traditions–– Love of cricket and rugbyLove of cricket and rugby

–– Driving on the leftDriving on the left

–– Boxing DayBoxing Day–– Wigged court judgesWigged court judges

–– British EnglishBritish English






Party System



The UK and the EU



UK Party SystemUK Party System






Party System



The UK and the EU



British GovernmentBritish Government



Distinguishing featuresDistinguishing features

Legislative: House of Commons & HouseLegislative: House of Commons & House

of Lordsof Lords

ExecutiveExecutive

JudicialJudicial Role of the MonarchyRole of the Monarchy

Devolution: Government in Scotland,Devolution: Government in Scotland,Wales, and Northern IrelandWales, and Northern Ireland



Distinguishing FeaturesDistinguishing Features

Parliamentary SovereigntyParliamentary Sovereignty

No separation of powersNo separation of powers

Absence of a single, writtenAbsence of a single, written

ConstitutionConstitution

Ceremonial role of the MonarchyCeremonial role of the Monarchy



Lower chamberLower chamber

659 democratically659 democraticallyelected MPselected MPs

Functions:Functions:

make laws, scrutinize themake laws, scrutinize thegovernment, safeguardgovernment, safeguard

rights of individualsrights of individuals

exclusive power overexclusive power over

money billsmoney bills

Parliament:Parliament:

House of CommonsHouse of Commons



Parliament:Parliament:

House of LordsHouse of Lords

711 members: life peers,

hereditary peers, 26 bishops

of Church of England and lawlords

Functions:

make laws, scrutinizegovernment, safeguard rights ofindividuals, perfect laws passedin the House of Commons

no taxation or finance matters



Executive: The GovernmentExecutive: The Government

Formed by majority partyFormed by majority party

in House of Commonsin House of Commons

Consists of prime minister,Consists of prime minister,

cabinet, and ministerialcabinet, and ministerial

staffstaff

Prime Minister: Tony BlairPrime Minister: Tony Blair

22 Cabinet Members22 Cabinet Members

Over 100 MPs in House ofOver 100 MPs in House ofCommons on ministerialCommons on ministerial

staffstaff



Prime Minister Question TimePrime Minister Question Time

Accountability toAccountability to

governmentgovernment

1990 Example: Prime1990 Example: Prime

Minister Margaret ThatcherMinister Margaret Thatcher

answers question aboutanswers question about

Britain’s role in theBritain’s role in the

European CommunityEuropean Community



MonarchyMonarchy Lacks political powerLacks political power

Ceremonial head of stateCeremonial head of state

Traditional powers are now exercised byTraditional powers are now exercised byPrime Minister and ministers on behalf of thePrime Minister and ministers on behalf of thecrowncrown



JudicialJudicial

Appellate Committee inAppellate Committee inHouse of Lords is theHouse of Lords is thehighest courthighest court

Prime Minister appointsPrime Minister appoints

judges to Appellate judges to AppellateCommitteeCommittee

Lord Chancellor makesLord Chancellor makes

other judicialother judicialappointmentsappointments



Scotland Act of 1998Scotland Act of 1998

129 member Parliament129 member Parliament

First Minister and cabinetFirst Minister and cabinet

Control over most primaryControl over most primarylegislationlegislation

Devolution:Devolution:

ScotlandScotland



Government of Wales Act of 1998Government of Wales Act of 1998

60 member Assembly60 member Assembly

First Secretary and CabinetFirst Secretary and Cabinet

Control over only secondary legislationControl over only secondary legislation


WalesWales



Good Friday Agreement of 1998Good Friday Agreement of 1998

Power sharing designPower sharing design

108 Member Parliament108 Member Parliament First Minister and Cabinet withFirst Minister and Cabinet with

unionist and nationalist membersunionist and nationalist members

Control over primary legislationControl over primary legislation


Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland



Graphic SourcesGraphic Sources

The United Kingdom of Parliament.The United Kingdom of Parliament.

http://www.parliament.uk/http://www.parliament.uk/

10 Downing Street.10 Downing Street. http://www.numberhttp://www.number--

10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp10.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

The British Monarchy.The British Monarchy.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asphttp://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page1.asp

The Scottish Parliament.The Scottish Parliament.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/home.htmhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/home.htm






Party System

Parliamentary System

Major Issues You’ll Hear About


The UK and the EU



Healthcare

The United States vs. Britain



The United States

42.6 million without healthcare

Universal health care is not a right of citizenship

Only industrialized nation that does not

guarantee access to health care as a right of citizenship

28 industrialized nations have single payer

universal health care systems, while 1 (Germany)has a multipayer universal health care system



The United States (cont’d)

Most expensive health care system in the world

Spends at least 40% more per capita than any

other industrialized country with universal care

Based on private insurance coverage related toemployment, public insurance for the elderly

(Medicare), the military, veterans, and the poor

and the disabled (Medicaid) System creates many gaps in coverage



Britain

Healthcare is a basic human right National Health Service (NHS) is 56 years old

Provides healthcare to all citizens based on need

(not ability to pay)

2-tiered system with private service option

One of the largest organizations in Europe

Funded by taxpayers; managed by the Dept of

Health



Britain (cont’d)

Dept of Health distributes funds to healthauthorities in each region

Government ensures high standard

NHS receives appropriations annually

98% funded by income tax and National Insurance

contributions 2% funded by patient charges (i.e., prescriptions,

dental care)



Public Opinion (cont’d)

I prefer the UK's NHS to the nightmareof red tape, expense and iniquitousmedical resourcing that is inherent in the

US private system. I cannot imagine howanybody, including Blair, can consider aprivate healthcare system that diverts

precious financial resources to profits asbeing "efficient".

- Dr Eric Bowman, St Andrews, Scotland




American healthcare is dictated by insurance companies

whose boards are occupied by political heavyweights,ensuring that both economic and political power remainscorporate. Individual choice only exists for those whohave financial independence, since US healthcare istightly linked to employment. The unemployed,chronically sick or between jobs are uninsured - about40m Americans have no health insurance. And privateinsurance systems are unlikely to cover the costs of chronic illness. The UK has universal healthcare with

100% coverage, free at the point of access andindependent of health status, employment or socio-economic class. If you corner most US doctors in a darkroom they are really rather envious of the NHS.

-Darren Fowler, Boston, USA




I feel that the NHS desperately needs to beoverhauled. It is not 'free at the point of delivery' formany who need treatment. People who need to wearglasses have to pay for examinations and the

spectacles they wear (even though their standard of living would be greatly reduced if they had noglasses.) If more employers were to offer healthcareschemes, perhaps there would be more money to be

directed towards where it really needs to go.- Philip Edwards, Taunton Somerset England




I firmly support some sort of individualaccountability for medical costs. Lifestyle choicesstrongly influence the cost of care. I highly resent

being forced to pay for someone else's poorlifestyle choices when I take good care of myself.When someone can come up with a solution tothat dilemma, I'll support their system.

-Marten King, Portland, Oregon, USA



Employment Services

The United States vs. Britain



The United States

Unemployment results from “lack of work”;no fault of your own

States administer federal unemployment

insurance Department of Labor governs federal rules

Payments based on percent of the last 52week’s earnings, not exceeding maximum




Maximum benefit period is 26 weeks(government may extend)

In many states compensation is ½ of earnings, up to a certain limit




Circumstances that may disqualify personfrom collecting unemployment

Quitting without good cause

Fired for misconduct Resigned because of illness

Left to get married

Self employed

Involved in a labor dispute

Attending school



Britain (cont’d)

If person does not qualify for CBJSA and has

little/no income, they receive IBJSA

Must prove they are available for and actively

seeking work

IBJSA means tested for each individual person

Benefits lower for those younger than 25 years old

To continue receiving benefits, must visit jobcenter every 2 weeks, give details about their job

search and sign a declaration they are following

their Job Seeker’s Agreement

P liti l C lt i th U K






Party System

Parliamentary System

Major Issues You’ll Hear About


The UK and the EU



Beginnings…

Aftermath of World War II, animosity betweenEuropean nations

Originally an economic arrangement betweenFrance and Germany: united through industry

Brains behind it were… French

6 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, theNetherlands, France and West Germany…who’s missing ?



Progress towardsEuropean Economic Community

The 6 strengthened their economiccooperation and the EEC

– known informally as the Common Market

– born in 1958.

Same 6 countries, and lots of Frenchmen in

the driving seat…



Britain tries to join!

Britain applies for entry in 1961, but isblocked by…a Frenchman.

De Gaulle famously said “NON!”

Still part of the British collectiveconsciousness



1973: Britain becomes a member

Cracks show immediately – all decisions had to be voted unanimously – UK vetoes decision after decision after decision.

Example: – In 1972, EEC attempted to pass a law regulating

sugar in jam – UK objected on grounds that marmalade (traditional

British jam made with oranges) should not beclassified as jam – so vetoed, vetoed and vetoed, until the law was

passed… in 1988.



European Monetary System

Agreed in 1979: 8 countries IN, one OUT…

– This is why you won’t be taking euros with you.

Blair committed himself to a referendum onthe issue, but has recently moved closer tothe Bush administration than to his European

allies. – (And he’s “committed himself” to a lot of things

before.)



The “European Union”

1991 Maastricht Treaty – single currency

– social charter

– abolition of borders

– European police…

UK hostile and insists on “opt-out clause”

Commission President: Famous integratorJacques Delors (French)

– vilified by the British press; The Sun printed on its

front page UP YOURS, DELORS!



Into the 21st century…

Challenges for UK/EU relations

– Single currency

– European Constitution – UK/US ‘special relationship’

– European expansion and immigration

– UK media and ‘United States of Europe’



6 December 2004

NHS Revolut ion: _______ t o t ra in as

surgeonsA prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.

The defection of Brian Sedgemore,who is standing down after 27 years asa Labour MP, threatens to upset MrBlair's apparently unstoppable

campaign for a historic third term.Declaring that "enough is enough", MrSedgemore also reveals that a smallgroup of unnamed fellow MPs who arestanding down are secretly planning toleave the Labour Party in protest at MrBlair's leadership after the election.His decision to defect will intensify theescalating row over the legality of thewar which was yesterday thrust to thecentre of the election campaign.

A defiant Mr Blair insisted he wouldnot apologise for the war when he

came under sustained criticism afterthe leaking of the Attorney General's

advice questioning the legality of theconflict. But Mr Sedgemore , who hasbeen a Labour Party member for 37years, yesterday blamed the Labour

Party's policies on Iraq for his decisionto join the Liberal Democrats.

Writing in The Independent, MrSedgemore says: "I voted against thewar on Iraq and it becomes clearerevery day that Blair decided to go towar after meeting Bush on his Texasranch in 2002. After that, he lied topersuade the country to support him."The stomach-turning lies on Iraq werefollowed by the attempt to use the

politics of fear to drive throughParliament a deeply authoritarian set

of law-and-order measures thatreminded me of the Star Chamber.

The Star Chamber used torture but atleast they allowed a proper trialbefore throwing someone into prison.That is when I decided enough was

enough."For some of us it's not just about

the war, it's about top-up fees andprivatising the health service. Wewere going to issue a joint statement.That would have been the easiestthing for me to do but I believe I oweit to voters to speak out now," hesays.

Labour's spin machine maydismiss Mr Sedgemore as a maverick



6 December 2004

NHS Revolut ion:Nurses t o t rain as

surgeonsA prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.
















7 December 2004

Mother of 6 living on₤20,000 benefits has

twins on the wayA prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.
















Med schools paid totake -------- students

A prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.














7 December 2004



Gloria was close to death. The

problem wasn't AIDS or poverty...it was that the NHS had stolen

all the nurses.A prominent Labour politician will

announce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.














5 December 2004



Outrage over new 'fast-track' ---------------- for

teens... no questions askedA prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.














5 December 2004



Outrage over new 'fast-track' contraception for

teens... no questions askedA prominent Labour politician willannounce today that he is defecting tothe Liberal Democrats in protest atTony Blair's "lies" over Iraq.






Party's policies on Iraq for his decisionto join the Liberal Democrats.Writing in The Independent, Mr

Sedgemore says: "I voted against thewar on Iraq and it becomes clearerevery day that Blair decided to go towar after meeting Bush on his Texasranch in 2002. After that, he lied topersuade the country to support him."The stomach-turning lies on Iraq werefollowed by the attempt to use the




enough."For some of us it's not just aboutthe war, it's about top-up fees andprivatising the health service. Wewere going to issue a joint statement.That would have been the easiestthing for me to do but I believe I oweit to voters to speak out now," hesays.


5 December 2004




Are you polit ically savvy? Are you polit ically savvy?

Quiz & RaffleQuiz & Raffle



Are you politically savvy?



Who is the leader of theConservative Party?

y p y y

Michael Howard




How many MPs are in the Houseof Commons?

y p y y

659




Who has been tipped to be thenext Labour leader after TonyBlair?

y p y y

Gordon Brown

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