Introduction to British politics lecture notes: what is British politics ? a multinational state, uncodified constitution, the Westminster model, politics scholars, development and critique of British politics
2. What is British Politics?
Sunday, 10 January 2021
12:08
Readings and Resources
Kerr, P. and Kettell, S. (2006) 'In Defence of British Politics: The Past, Present and Future of the
Discipline. British Politics 1:1, pp.3-25.
1. What do we mean by the study of a 'British' Politics ?
What is 'British' Politics?
Britain/UK: 'Britain' is the short form of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and synonymous with 'UK'
Great Britain: Only England, Wales and Scotland; not Northern Ireland
England: Refers only to England, not any other part of the UK
2. How has the study of British politics developed ?
What makes British politics distinctive ?
1. A multi-national state
1536: Act of Union with Wales (involuntary)
1707: Act of Union with Scotland (Voluntary)
1801: Act of Union with Ireland
1921-2: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2. A centralised state
Growth of the state throughout twentieth century
Centralisation in Whitehall.
Uncodified constitution concentrates power
3. An uncodified constitution
Gradual refinement over time
A 'new' constitution developing ?
Ensures elements of past have lingered on
Gradual change
4. A post-imperial State
Decline since 1940s but continuing legacy of the British Empire
Shaped by its experience of empire leading for over 200 years
A 'special relationship' with the US
An ambivalent relationship with Europe
5. An Anglo-liberal political economy
Legacy of empire for global economy
Importance of the financial service sector (now as big as mining sector at height of
industrial revolution)
Distinctive 'Anglo-Liberal' model (Hay, 2013)
6. A liberal political culture
Anglo-liberal community of ideas
Structure Context: First past the post, Political parties, State institutions
Freedom of speech and impartiality of media.
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