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THE UNITED KINGDOM

THE UNITED KINGDOM. SIZE: 245,000 sq. km (About the size of California) POPULATION: 61 million GDP per capita: $31,800 ETHNIC: 92% White, 8% Other 83% English 9% Scottish 5% Welsh 3% Northern Irish

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THE UNITED KINGDOM

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  1. THE UNITED KINGDOM SIZE: 245,000 sq. km (About the size of California) POPULATION: 61 million GDP per capita: $31,800 ETHNIC: 92% White, 8% Other 83% English 9% Scottish 5% Welsh 3% Northern Irish RELIGION: 72% Christian (Anglican: official religion), 3% Muslim, 25% Other or N/A HEAD OF STATE: Queen Elizabeth II HEAD OF GOVT: Prime Minister David Cameron

  2. Gradualism in British Political Evolution • Democratization occurred over a very long period of time. • Why is this important? • Compared with other states, the time span for democratic evolution is immense. • Allows for a stable transition to democracy.

  3. Growth of Parliamentary Power 1215: Magna Carta • No absolute monarch • Consent of nobility to tax and spend. 1660 Restoration • Ended Civil War • Monarchy restored • Expanded role of Parliament

  4. Growth of Parliamentary Power 1688 Glorious Revolution • King would be Anglican. • Parliament Supreme 1911 Reform of Lords • House of Lords power is stripped. • House of Commons is supreme.

  5. Democratization 1832 Great Reform Act • Expanded the male vote 1867 Reform Act • All male householders could vote.

  6. Democratization 1918 Representation of the People Act • All men and women over 30 could vote. 1928 Equal Franchise Act • All women can vote.

  7. Collectivist Consensus (1945-1979) • Consensus between parties on major policies. • Greater economic equality. • Full employment. • Government control of major industries. • Creation of a WELFARE STATE. • State provides a wide variety of social services. • MIXED ECONOMY • Government nationalizes major industry. • Continues to allow other principles of capitalism • (i.e., private property)

  8. Beveridge Report (1942) • Social Insurance Program for all • Health care • Unemployment insurance • Pensions • National Health Service (NHS), 1948

  9. Reasons for Collectivist Consensus

  10. End of Consensus: Economic Crisis of 1970s • Inflation • Stagnating Economy • Declining Industrial Competitiveness • OPEC quadrupled oil prices • Government mismanagement of industry • Strikes by laborers in major industries

  11. Margaret Thatcher “The Iron Lady” • End of consensus • PRIVATIZATION • Selling state-owned companies • NEOLIBERAL • Revival of liberal ideas • Lower taxes, govt. regulation, & welfare spending. • Protect property rights. Prime Minister: 1979-1990 (Conservative Party)

  12. Thatcher’s Record • Privatization: • 25 state-owned sold • Unemployment: • 1979: 5% • 1987: 10% • 1990: 5.5% • Inflation: • 1980: 21% • 1986 2.5 % • Economic Growth • 1.9% in 1980s • Taxes • Lowered Income Tax • Raised Consumption Tax (Value-Added Tax) 8% to 15%

  13. Tony Blair“The Third Way” Prime Minister: 1997-2007 (Labour Party) • “New Labour Party” • Combine socialism and market economy. • Kept Thatcher’s major privatization reforms. • Increased welfare assistance. • Welfare-to-work • Pensions • NHS • Education

  14. David Cameron British Economic Woes • Blair’s increase in welfare assistance. • 2008 Global Recession and bailout. • UK debt as % of GDP 2010: 76.1% (U.S. 2010: 62.3%) Prime Minister: 2010-? (Conservative Party)

  15. UK’s Austerity Measures CUTS • Department budgets by 19%. • Public jobs (1/2 million). • Police spending. • Grants to local govt. • Royal household • Unemployment • Retirement benefits • Raising pension age • Raising VAT • 17.5% to 20%

  16. Cameron’s “Big Society” • Volunteerism • Empowering individuals and local communities. Power shift Whitehall British people Concern • Funds for volunteer agencies and local communities. • DEVOLUTION: • Delegating decision-making to local public bodies.

  17. University Fees KEY FACTS • Fees in England to rise to a maximum of £9,000 a year • Universities charging more than £6,000 will have to meet requirements designed to help poorer students • Graduates will begin paying back loans covering their fees once they are earning at least £21,000 a year • They will pay back 9% of their earnings above this level • No tuition fees in Scotland, but universities there are calling for 'graduate contributions' • Fees in Wales are to rise in line with those in England - but Welsh students will be subsidised wherever they study in the UK so will pay no more than the current fees of £3,290 a year • A review of the system in Northern Ireland is under way

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