Politics In Britain PDF

POLITICS IN BRITAIN  UNITED KINGDOM United Kingdom created in 1801, merging England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland Britain did not become a democracy overnight. Evolution not revolution Democratization was a slow process Contrasts with the dominant European practice...

POLITICS IN BRITAIN  UNITED KINGDOM United Kingdom created in 1801, merging England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland Britain did not become a democracy overnight. Evolution not revolution Democratization was a slow process Contrasts with the dominant European practice of switching between democratic and undemocratic regimes  Unitary State: political system having one source of authority, British Parliament UK is multinational state Historically, Scotland, Wales governed by British Cabinet ministers accountable to Parliament. Scotland/Wales (1999): responsibilities for policy given to local elected assemblies Northern Ireland is most un-English part of UK formally a secular polity identity questions: Catholics and Protestants turmoil from 1968 to early 1990s (Irish Republican Army)  THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT (1 OF 2) symbolizes the authority of Crown rather than a constitution government. Monarch only ceremonial (?) head of state. What constitutes the Crown? (which is the state – abstract concept used in continental Europe...) Government Government officials Whitehall Downing Street – where the prime minister works Parliament Collectively referred to as Westminster FIGURE 7.1 POPULAR INFLUENCE MUST FOCUS ON WESTMINSTER THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT (2 OF 2) Unwritten constitution: Acts Of Parliament Judicial Pronouncements Customs and Conventions Few constraints in unwritten constitution: Vagueness makes it flexible Can be changed by majority vote in Parliament or by government choosing to act in unprecedented manner English courts claim no power to declare act of Parliament unconstitutional WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS AND DOES Imperatives of the Prime Minister: Winning elections Campaigning through the media Patronage Parliamentary performance Making and balancing policies  CABINET MINISTERS Cabinet is senior ministers appointed by prime minister Must be members of House of Commons or House of Lords Major Whitehall departments differ greatly from each other Political reputation of ministers depends on success in promoting interests of their department in parliament, in media, in battles within Whitehall  THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT (1 OF 3) Principal division in Parliament is between party with majority of seats in House of Commons and opposition party If bill or motion is identified as vote of confidence in government, government will fall if the bill or motion is defeated MPs from majority party generally vote as party leadership instructs Whitehall departments draft bills presented to Parliament  THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT (2 OF 3) Functions of MPs: publicize issues scrutinize legislation examine how Whitehall departments administer public policies MPs in the governing party have private access to the government ministers THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT (3 OF 3) House of Lords Unique as second chamber because initially composed of hereditary peers 1999: Labor party in government abolished right of all but 92 hereditary peers to sit in House of Lords Government often introduces noncontroversial legislation in Lords if it deals with technical matters Uses Lords as revising chamber to amend bills Lords cannot veto legislation, but can amend or delay passage of government bills  THE COURTS Supreme Court created as highest judicial authority, 2009 Replaced old practice of highest court being committee of House of Lords Court consists of president and 11 justices Serves as final appeal on points of law Limited powers, cannot declare Acts of Parliament unconstitutional  GOVERNMENT AS A COALITION Within Whitehall network, core set of political figures are important in determining policies Prime Minister Cabinet Ministers In coalition government major decisions cannot be made by single politician POLITICAL CULTURE AND LEGITIMACY British people willingness to comply with basic laws Symbols of common past as major determinants of legitimacy Customs and traditions Figure 7.3: Least Trusted Social Group  POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AND PARTICIPATION (1 OF 2) Socialization influences the division between those who do and do not participate Family and Gender: create useful identification with party Education: more educated not as likely to be conservative as once were Class: Conservative = middle class, Labor = working class Mass Media: only a few newspapers, TV is primary source of news Figure 7.4: Participation in Politics POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AND PARTICIPATION (2 OF 2) Voting: competitive elections bring higher turnout Signing petitions Contacting politicians Volunteering in party activities  PARTY SYSTEM AND ELECTORAL CHOICE General election must occur at least once every five years Prime minister is free to call election any time Winner is candidate who is first past the post (plurality) Winner nationally is party that gains most seats Two party system vs. multiparty system Figure 7.5: Ups and Downs of Electoral Fortunes of Parties Figure 7.6: Parties’ MPs and Share of Votes  CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY AND DECENTRALIZED DELIVERY (1 OF 3) Unitary State, political authority is centralized Decisions are binding on public agencies through Acts of Parliament and regulations Treasury must authorize expenditures before bill can be put to Parliament Minister must pilot bill through Parliament Minister may also negotiate agreement with public agencies outside and with affected interest groups  CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY AND DECENTRALIZED DELIVERY (2 OF 3) Devolution to Elected Officials: Local government is subordinate to central government Local council elections fought on party lines Local government divided into two tiers of county, district councils, each with responsibility for local services Central government grants are largest source of local government revenue  CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY AND DECENTRALIZED DELIVERY (3 OF 3) Non-elected Institutions: Executive agencies National Health Service (NHS) Quasi-Autonomous Nongovernmental Organizations Advisory Committees Administrative Tribunals From Trust to Contract: Government buying from private sector  POLICY PERFORMANCE Government relies on three major resources to produce/provide public goods and services: Laws – unique resource of government; contracts are only effective if enforced Money – taxes on incomes and consumption and stealth (value added) taxes Personnel – public employees are needed to administer laws and deliver services ** Social Security most costly program of British government Figure 7.7: Slicing the Budget Pie