An Introduction

•Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales

•United Kingdom of Great Britain: Britain + N. Ireland

•Scotland has its own bank notes and legal system

•England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have their own international soccer teams

•Population is around 66 million, 70% urban

•About 2/3 are Protestant; 10% are Catholic

•Between 5-10% are non-white (African, Asian or Caribbean)

•Quality of life is relatively good, but not on par with US or Germany or France

•Clothing, cars, school and sports they follow highlight a person’s social class in UK

Britain was included in the study of comparative politics for four reasons:1. Liberal democracy flourished in Great Britain

over a long period of time known as gradualism

Gradualism has its roots in the Magna Carta2. As British democracy grew, gradualism led to

a post-war collective consensus Collective consensus gave way to a mixed economy

welfare state3. Britain had been one of the world’s great

powers for 500 years and still strong enough to have a seat on the UN Security Council

4. It’s political system was similar to other English-speaking countries, therefore, easy for readers to start with

Gradualism is still a valid study in British politics and history

Britain is not the global strength it once was Global ranking has shrunk over past 30 years Collective consensus disappeared in the 1970s Britain’s historical role and how it helps us

understand the development of democracy is critical in comparative politics

Country

1939

1960 1974 1995 2000

USA 1 1 3 5 3

GB 2 6 14 18 14

International Rank in GNP per Capita

Source: Hauss, Comparative Politics, p 71

Trends in the Study of Great Britain

Trend One: Gradualism the historical shifts in British democratic history that are

rooted in the Magna Carta Britain has enjoyed more consensual history than other

democracies; this helps smooth the demographic transitions It did have religious unrest, violence, class conflict during

democratization, but spread it out over a number of centuries

Trend Two: Britain has had many troubles for a stable democratic country The collectivist period (1960s) gave way to riots, labor

strikes and union busting in 70s & 80s Great Britain is no longer one of the wealthier democracies

in the world Britain is not a poor country, but production has lagged

behind

Trends in the Study of Great Britain Trend Three: Political Conservatism

Conservative governments redefined British political life in the 80s and early 90s

Collective consensus gave way to free-market privatization Thatcherism crushed unions, privatized dozens of industries,

reduced spending on social services and opposed British involvement in Europe (Euro-skeptics)

Her supporters argue she saved the UK from economic disaster

Her opponents argue she left Britain a heartless, uncompassionate government who divided its citizens

Trend Four: New Labour Tony Blair’s New Labour re-wrote the political rules in Britain Labour Party’s goals were re-defined to include a mixed

economic system Nationalization of industry was abandoned, but a closer

relationship between business, labor and government was formed

The British happened to the rest of the world. Now the rest of the world happens to Britain.

- Andrew Marr; BBC journalist

- Hauss, 68