The United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and of Great Britain and

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Flag descriptionFlag description: : CIA World Fact BookCIA World Fact Book

““blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as British constituent states or provinces, as well as British overseas territories “overseas territories “

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The BasicsCIA, World Fact Book, 2005):CIA, World Fact Book, 2005): “Great Britain, the dominant “Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the a global approach to foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter is Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter is suspended due to bickering over the peace process”suspended due to bickering over the peace process”

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics

1. We know about the consensus period 1. We know about the consensus period (1945-1975) and the reaction:(1945-1975) and the reaction:

a) The Thatcher Revolutiona) The Thatcher Revolutionb) The Blair b) The Blair

Revolution/DevolutionRevolution/Devolution

2. Question: How is Great Britain doing?2. Question: How is Great Britain doing?a) Let’s take a minute to seea) Let’s take a minute to see

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics2. According to the State Department, CIA and other 2. According to the State Department, CIA and other

(cited) sources(cited) sources::a. Britain is a Constitutional Monarchy with no a. Britain is a Constitutional Monarchy with no

written Constitutionwritten Constitution(1) But how are rights protected?(1) But how are rights protected?

b. Current population is 60.4M (CIA, 2005)—one b. Current population is 60.4M (CIA, 2005)—one of the most densely populated places on earth…3of the most densely populated places on earth…3rdrd largest population in the EUlargest population in the EU

c. Infant mortality is amongst the lowest on the c. Infant mortality is amongst the lowest on the planet (5.22/1000 live births) and literacy (100%) and life planet (5.22/1000 live births) and literacy (100%) and life expectancy (78.2) are amongst the highest on the planet expectancy (78.2) are amongst the highest on the planet (State Department, 2005)(State Department, 2005)

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics2. According to the State Department, CIA and 2. According to the State Department, CIA and

other (cited) sourcesother (cited) sources::d. We also know that Britain is a two party d. We also know that Britain is a two party

dominant system with the Labor Party currently dominant system with the Labor Party currently in power, Tony Blair is P.M. and the in power, Tony Blair is P.M. and the Conservatives are the main opposition party Conservatives are the main opposition party (Michael Howard is the leader)(Michael Howard is the leader)

May 5, 2005 Election ResultsMay 5, 2005 Election Results: House of : House of Commons - percent of vote by party - seats by Commons - percent of vote by party - seats by party - Labor 356, Conservative 197, Liberal party - Labor 356, Conservative 197, Liberal Democrat 62, other 31 Democrat 62, other 31

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics

2. According to the State Department, 2. According to the State Department, CIA and other (cited) sourcesCIA and other (cited) sources::

e. Major Ethnic Groups: white e. Major Ethnic Groups: white (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census) 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics

2. According to the State Department, 2. According to the State Department, CIA and other (cited) sourcesCIA and other (cited) sources::

f. Major Religions: Christian f. Major Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census) 23.1% (2001 census)

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics2. According to the State Department, CIA and 2. According to the State Department, CIA and

other (cited) sourcesother (cited) sources::g. Economy: According to McCormick g. Economy: According to McCormick

(2005), Charles Hauss (2005), the CIA World (2005), Charles Hauss (2005), the CIA World Fact Book (2005) and most other experts, The Fact Book (2005) and most other experts, The UK is one of the leading economies in the world UK is one of the leading economies in the world and the fastest growing economy in the EU…it is and the fastest growing economy in the EU…it is a fast growing, low inflation (1.4%), low a fast growing, low inflation (1.4%), low unemployment (4.8%), job producing economy unemployment (4.8%), job producing economy (3.4% growth, 2004)(3.4% growth, 2004)unlike the economies in unlike the economies in France and Germany among othersFrance and Germany among others

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics2. According to the State Department, CIA and 2. According to the State Department, CIA and

other (cited) sourcesother (cited) sources:: g. Economy: Let’s take a look at some of g. Economy: Let’s take a look at some of

the key stats…the key stats…(1) GDP: $1.782 trillion (2004 est.) (1) GDP: $1.782 trillion (2004 est.) (2) GDP Growth: 3.2% (2004 est.)(2) GDP Growth: 3.2% (2004 est.)(3) GDP per capita: $29,600 (2004 est.) (3) GDP per capita: $29,600 (2004 est.) (4) GDP per sector: (4) GDP per sector:

agriculture:agriculture: 1% 1% industry:industry: 26.3% 26.3% services:services: 72.7% (2004 est.) 72.7% (2004 est.)

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics2. According to the State Department, CIA and other 2. According to the State Department, CIA and other

(cited) sources(cited) sources:: g. Economy: Let’s take a look at some of the key stats…g. Economy: Let’s take a look at some of the key stats…(5) Labor force: 29.8M (2004)(5) Labor force: 29.8M (2004)(6) Population below poverty line (similar to in U.S.) = (6) Population below poverty line (similar to in U.S.) = 17%/10.2M (2002 est.) 17%/10.2M (2002 est.) (7) Minimum Wage (converted to U.S. $) (7) Minimum Wage (converted to U.S. $) a) Adult (22 and up) = $7.50 (2005)a) Adult (22 and up) = $7.50 (2005)b) Development Rate (18-21) = $6.60b) Development Rate (18-21) = $6.60c) Minors (16-17) = $4.50 c) Minors (16-17) = $4.50

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics

2. According to the State Department, 2. According to the State Department, CIA and other (cited) sourcesCIA and other (cited) sources::

g. Economy: Let’s take a look at g. Economy: Let’s take a look at some of the key stats…some of the key stats…

(8) Internet users: 25 million (8) Internet users: 25 million (2002)…about 41.3% of population(2002)…about 41.3% of population

The U.K.: The BasicsThe U.K.: The Basics3. In sum…3. In sum…

a. a. Generally, I think it is accurate to describe The Generally, I think it is accurate to describe The U.K. as a prosperous, stable, Liberal DemocracyU.K. as a prosperous, stable, Liberal Democracy

b. And while it is no longer the dominant b. And while it is no longer the dominant hegemonic Great Power it once was in its heyday, it is hegemonic Great Power it once was in its heyday, it is still a leading global military (one of 7 to 8 countries with still a leading global military (one of 7 to 8 countries with nukes), economic and political power, especially now nukes), economic and political power, especially now that it has literally become America’s most reliable and that it has literally become America’s most reliable and powerful junior partner in its quest to fight international powerful junior partner in its quest to fight international terrorism, bring democracy to Iraq, and spread the terrorism, bring democracy to Iraq, and spread the benefits of freedom and capitalism to all (Noam benefits of freedom and capitalism to all (Noam Chomsky, 2005)…just kidding on the Chomsky Chomsky, 2005)…just kidding on the Chomsky reference…reference…

If you want to become a British citizenIf you want to become a British citizen::