UNITED KINGDOM
• “The British happened to the rest of the
world. Now the world happens to Britain.”
• Andrew Marr
– British journalist and political commentator
– Editor of The Independent” and Political Editor
for the BBC
UNITED KINGDOM
• Why is the UK included in a
course on Comparative
Government?
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• What is the formal name for
this country?
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• The United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
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• What does this country
consist of?
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• What is the historical core of
the country?
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• What is the historical core of
the country?
• England
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• What is “Britain”?
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• What is “Britain”?
• It consists of England and its
Celtic neighbors of Wales
and Scotland
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• Where do the Irish come in?
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• In 1922, Ireland got its
independence but the 6 heavily
Protestant counties of Northern
Ireland voted to remain with the
Crown. Protestants call this
area Ulster
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• So where do these regions fall
in the big picture? Take out
your blank map.
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•
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• What is the capital city of the
UK?
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• LONDON – Groovy Baby!
Big Ben –
the
Parliament
Clock Tower
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• LONDON – Groovy Baby!
The Tube
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• LONDON – Groovy Baby!
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• What are the other big cities?
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• England = Birmingham and
Manchester
• Wales = Cardiff
• Scotland= Glasgow and Edinburgh
• NI = Belfast
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•
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What is the size of the UK?
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What is the size of the UK?
Approx 250,000 sq. miles – So?
It is 2 islands about the size of
California
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What does the size and make up of
the UK mean for the country?
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See any potential problems
geographically???
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What is the Population of the UK?
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What is the Population of the UK?
Approx 60 million +
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What does the population statistic
mean for the UK?
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It is a very congested country with
70% of the people living in urban
areas and most between London
and Newcastle
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However, ½ of the country is open
pastureland with millions of sheep
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Demographic breakdown of the 60
million people:
81.5% English
2.8% other
9.6% Scottish
2.4% Irish
1.9% Welsh
1.8% Northern Ireland
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94.2% white
5.8% other – African, Asian, or
Caribbean
What issues are involved with the
population?
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After 9/11 and Britain’s recent
terrorist attacks, some
Conservatives pushed for an end to
immigration and repatriation
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Scotland Wales are significant
minorities in the system and they
want more autonomy if not
independence.
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Irish Catholic and Protestant Issues
are improved but never far from
chaos again.
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Religious Differences???
The country is made up
predominantly of Anglicans who
belong to the Church of England
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Religious Differences???
• 9 million Catholics
• 1 million Muslims
• 1.5 million other Protestants
• A Rising Indian population (Sikh,
Hindu
• Small population of Jewish
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Religious Differences???
• Potential Problem with the Church
of England being the official,
established religion so it gets
funding and state support with 20
officials in House of Lords
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Is Social Class an issue in British
society?
GREAT BRITAIN
Yes it is Baby!
Upper and Middle class are self-assured
and arrogant due to generations of
wealth and prestigious private schools
Different dress, accents, and sports by
classes
Commonwealth of Nations
• The Commonwealth is a voluntary
association of 54 countries (formerly
connected to Britain) that support each
other and work together towards shared
goals in democracy and development.
• http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/
191086/191247/the_commonwealth/
Commonwealth of Nations
• Member countries span six continents and
oceans from Africa (19) to Asia (8), the
Americas (2), the Caribbean (12), Europe
(3) and the South Pacific (10).
Commonwealth of Nations
Conclusion
• Back to the Opening Quote – So what does
it mean?