Introduction to Comparative Politics

1
Introduction to Comparative Politics

• Lecture 7
• Why are the British so old-fashioned?

2
Agenda for today

• What is the United Kingdom?
• Who are the British?
• What is distinctive about British history?
• Why study Britain?
• Why are the British so old-fashioned?

3
What is the United Kingdom?

• England vs. the United Kingdom
• The United Kingdom England Scotland Wales
  Northern Ireland
• A multinational state
• Nationalism and separatism in Scotland and Wales
• New Immigrants

4
BRITISH SOCIETY

• The greatest modern empire
• The first parliamentary democracy
• The first industrialized country
• The most urbanized country
• A highly centralized (monocephalic) society
• Britain in decline

5
Highlights of British History

• 1066 Norman Conquest
• 1215 Magna Carta
• 1295 Model Parliament
• 1535 Wales incorporated
• 1642-48 Civil War
• 1688 Glorious Revolution
• 1707 Scotland incorporated (Treaty of Unity)
• 1776 Declaration of Independence
• 1800 Ireland incorporated
• 1832 Reform Act
• 1867 Reform Act
• 1911 Reform of Parliament
• 1922 Irish Independence
• 1947 Indian Independence
• 1973 European Union Membership

6
The British Constitution

• An unwritten constitution
• A constitution that constrains governments more
  than it protects citizens
• A medieval constitution
• An evolutionary constitution

7
Principles Of The British Constitution

• Constitutional monarchy (vs. republic)
• Unitary government (vs. federalism)
• Parliamentary supremacy (vs. checks-and-balances)
• Parliamentary government (vs. separation of
  powers)
• British democracy as Majority Rule

8
Sources Of The British Constitution

• Statute Law (Acts of Parliament)
• Common Law (Legal Precedents)
• International Treaties (EU)
• Convention (Binding, but unenforceable, rules)
• Works of Authority (Persuasive Authority Only)

9
Why the British Are So Old-fashioned

• The constitution is based in large part on
  conventions and precedents
• There is no domestic judicial review
• The constitution is easy to amend
• Therefore, Britain relies heavily on politicians
  restraining themselves
• Sticking to tradition and convention is the
  easiest way to ensure such self-restraint