Britishness and Multicultural Identity

• Study notes generated:

Britishness

• Refers to the shared identity, values, and traditions defining UK citizens, and it is shaped by historical events like the British Empire
• Illustrates how national identity is shaped by history, culture, and values
• Modern British identity is increasingly diverse due to globalization and immigration
• The diversity raises questions about the definition of "British" today, sparking debates about regional identities, such as Scottish and Welsh identities
• Multicultural identity and the integration of different cultures brings diversity and new ideas because of immigrants from Pakistan, India and Africa
• A con to Britishness includes the loss of traditional values like family meals and social bonds
• Brexit has intensified the debate about Britishness, focusing on national identity versus European integration

Multicultural Identity

• London is a melting pot of different cultures; Brick Lane Mosque is a symbol of cultural layering
• It enriches cultures through diversity like food, music and art
• Tensions between ethnic groups and racism, along with experiences like Moses Gittens', can make British people feel threatened

Tradition

• Queen Victoria was a symbol of the British Empire, her reign lasted from 1837-1901, and she was known as the "Grandmother of Europe" due to diplomatic marriages of her children
• Queen Elizabeth II had the longest reign in British history, she was a symbol of stability and continuity, and a role model to the kind and capable
• Traditions create a national identity and attract tourists
• A con is the lack of democratic legitimacy
• The afternoon tea is an essential British tradition, involving tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries served in elegant settings
• Afternoon tea symbolizes British refinement and hospitality, which are popular with tourists
• It can be seen as outdated or elitist
• Royal Events like royal weddings, coronations, and jubilees, such as Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, are central to British culture
• They foster national unity and pride, and attract global attention
• Critics argue they are costly and reinforce outdated hierarchies
• Sports like cricket, traditional cuisine, and music help develop a national identity and pride
• Accusations of looking down on other cultures by creating an overly elite and untouchable image is considered a critical tradition
• Traditions attract tourists, stimulating the economy and bolstering the national image

North and South: Economic Differences

• London is the biggest financial market globally, with a high cost of living, but also high salaries and job opportunities
• Northern England, including Manchester and Liverpool, suffers from deindustrialization and economic dependence on London
• The North has undergone changes to modernize its cities and transform warehouses into luxurious apartments to match the level and pace of the South
• London: Is a global financial center with cultural diversity and famous attractions, and is successful and independent
• Cons of London: Overcrowding leads to more crime, high rents, social inequality, and congestion
• Pros of the North: Lower cost of living, regeneration through development programs
• Cons of the North: Economic weakness and migration to London due to its fame and image

North and South: Cultural Differences

• North: Described as "dark, true, and tender" (Laura Barton), industrial past has worsened industry and economy, friendly people
• South: Fast-paced, anonymous, economically successful, Londoners are rude and look down on anyone from the provinces
• The UK relies too heavily on London's high income; London's GDP is higher than 70% compared to other cities like Manchester
• The small amount of houses and jobs in London creates regional inequality, leading to overqualification due to overreliance on London for jobs

Brexit: Reasons

• Sovereignty which means many Britons wanted more control over laws and borders
• Immigration: Fear of uncontrolled immigration from the EU
• Economy: Criticism of contributions to the EU budget because London was independent enough without relying on other cities or countries and they disagreed with the ideas or concepts of the EU

Brexit: Consequences

• Pros: More national control, end of EU budget contributions, and EU membership fees can be repurposed and spent on more important issues
• Being part of the EU keeps the UK from fully capitalizing on trade with other major economies like Japan, India, and the US
• Cons: Economic uncertainty, the gap between rich and poor is increasing and it creates trade barriers
• Britain loses influence over international matters through the EU exit
• It is harder for students to study in the UK or British people in the EU (Erasmus+)
• The UK loses its security provided by the union for terrorism or other crimes

Brexit and Identity

• Brexit has intensified the debate about Britishness, focusing on national vs. European identity, leading to racism, discrimination, or even violence
• Xenophobia is Fremdfeindlichkeit
• British people feel ethnic minorities threaten their culture and want their country back, but most iconic cultural traditions were brought by immigrants with a history of immigrants and different ethnicities

Multiculturalism

• Melting Pot vs. Salad Bowl
• Melting Pot: Blending cultures into a unified culture and in the UK, fish and chips are a result of Jewish immigration, creatinga place where different people, styles, and theories are mixed
• Salad Bowl: Different cultures coexist, maintaining separate identities; Brick Lane is the center of the Bangladeshi community
• Cultural enrichment, including music, food, and art, and economic benefits from immigrants
• Social tensions, racism, such as the experiences of Nadia Hussain, and the loss of traditional British values

Basic Knowledge About History

• British Empire: Rose in the 16th century through trade and colonization of India, Africa, and America
• Pros: Economic growth, spread of the English language, and more power
• Cons: Exploitation of colonies, slavery, and cultural oppression
• The Commonwealth formed after the collapse of the Empire to connect former colonies for trade and cooperation
• The union of these nations is non-political, with voluntary support and they act independently
• Pros: Cultural and economic exchange, helps them work together on global issues, promotes peace and cooperation
• Cons: Persistence of colonial power structures which is seen as a reminder of colonialism, and not all countries benefit equally

Important Persons

• Queen Victoria: Symbol of the British Empire, her reign brought progress in medicine and Darwin's theory
• Queen Elizabeth II: Longest reign, symbol of stability, died in 2022, was a role model for many people, and some Britons compared her to their mothers because of a strong connection
• King Charles III: Became the new monarch after his mother's death, he is wants a more modern monarchy to decrease costs and not be extravagant
• Cecil Rhodes: Colonial politician, founder of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Political System

• Monarchy: Role of the Monarch is as a representative, politically neutral (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III), so they do not necessarily act political or decide on laws
• Pros: Symbol of national unity and continuity
• Cons: High costs, lack of democratic legitimacy
• Parliament: House of Commons (elected MPs) pass the laws
• House of Lords are not elected, but they advise and review laws
• Pros: Democratic legitimacy, checks and balances
• Cons: Complexity and slow decision-making
• Elections: First-Past-The-Post system, where the winner takes all and it often leads to majority governments/ the winner candidate could get more votes than any other person
• Pros: Stable governments
• Cons: Underrepresentation of smaller parties

General Political Situation

• Current Challenges: Brexit leads to economic uncertainty and trade barriers
• It also leads to regional Inequality: Economic dependence on London and poverty in the North
• The challenges of multiculturalism: Integration of immigrants and racism