AP Comparative Government Legitimacy The legitimacy of Great Britain has developed gradually over the last few centuries Britain was originally based upon traditional legitimacy with a hereditary ruling family ID: 560707
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Slide1
Britain: Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
AP Comparative GovernmentSlide2
Legitimacy
The legitimacy of Great Britain has developed
gradually
over the last few centuries
Britain was originally based upon
traditional legitimacy
, with a hereditary ruling family
Britain currently runs as a democracy
Most citizens accept that there is a connection between the church and the state
Britain finds its legitimacy through custom, common law, and important documents. This is known as the
“Constitution of the Crown”
There is no formal constitution in BritainSlide3
Important Documents
Britain’s political system is based upon
rational-legal authority.
The documents and concepts below helped establish that authority.
Magna Carta-
In 1215, this document was signed by King John and he agreed to consult nobles before he made political decisions, especially taxes. This sets up the idea of a
limited government.
The Petition of Right-
This document helped reestablish laws such as habeas corpus and trial by jury.
The English Bill of Rights-
This document lists rights retained by Parliament, allowing them to take control of some of the kings power
Common Law-
This is a legal system based on local customs and precedent rather than formal legal codesSlide4
Political Traditions
Political traditions in Britain are drawn from a variety of sources. These include
The shaping of the monarchy-
The monarchy has gradually devolved from an all powerful monarchy to a figure head with the role of head of state
The ascendancy of Parliament-
Parliament was able to fill the power vacuum left by the reduction in monarchal power. Parliament has survived through revolution and timeSlide5
Political Traditions
Challenges of the Industrial Revolution-
The explosion of the Industrial Revolution brought great wealth
This moved peasants from the fields into cities to work in factories.
The creation of merchant, business, and factory jobs spurred individuals who wanted a say in the government
Colonialism-
Nationalism and industrialization helped spur the colonial era.
Britain felt nationalistically superior to the rest of the world and need raw goods to drive the Industrial Revolution
Britain gradually lost their colonial claims throughout the 18
th
and 19
th
centuriesSlide6
Political Traditions
Britain in the 20
th
and 21
st
centuries
Britain’s power and influence waned after the two World Wars
In the mid 20
th
century Britain became a
welfare state
that was eventually curtailed in the 1980’s by Margaret Thatcher
This was known as “Thatcherism”
Current political power in Britain is divided as the parliament is currently run by a coalition governmentSlide7
Political Culture
Britain is a very nationalistic state
Britain also reflects the concept of
insularity
, or a feeling of separation from the continent of Europe
They are also cautious
in
regards to involvement with other European Nations
This has lead to issues regarding
British involvement in the
EU
Great Britain has
retained their right to use the Pound rather than the Euro
Britain has often practiced
noblesse
oblique (traditionally
practiced by the more traditional parts of the Conservative party.)
This refers to the practice of the upper classes taking responsibility for the welfare of the lower classes
This is one reason why the
welfare state
became so popular in the middle of the 20
th
century and the propensity for Britain to try and extend their power over the rest of the worldSlide8
Political Culture
Multi-nationalism
Britain is largely culturally homogenous
They do however encompass entities such as England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all of which have been independent at some point in their history
This and the conflicts between Protestantism and Catholicism makeup the main cultural issues in Britain
British citizens are generally willing to obey the law
Britain has one of the smallest police forces amongst democratic nations
There is a growing Muslim population in Britain as well, which has caused some issues in the post 9/11world