UK

United Kingdom v. Great Britain

Distinct entities; UK includes Scotland, Wales, England, N. Ireland

Welfare State

Provides benefits, healthcare, and unemployment assistance

Insularity

Culturally closer to the US than Europe

Sources of Power

Unwritten constitution, democratic & parliamentary system

Free Market Economy

Economic system promoting personal wealth creation

Protestant Dominant

Historical religious influence, Martin Luther, Henry 8th

Unitary System

Centralized government with limited federalism

Devolution

Increasing powers to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

Collective Responsibility

PM & cabinet's duty to govern collectively

Bicameral Legislature

Two-house system with House of Commons as real power

Shadow Cabinet

Opposition party's cabinet ready to replace

Plurality

Winner-takes-all system promoting a two-party setup

Supreme Court

Highest court, no power of judicial review before 2005