Making of the British State

Defining Political Organizations

  • Multinational state; defined territory: UK.

  • Longstanding democracy, parliamentary government since 1215.

  • Glorious Revolution resulted in increased parliamentary powers.

  • Current principle: Parliamentary Sovereignty.

Britain’s Unitary State

  • UK includes Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland.

  • Historically a unitary state with political decisions made in London.

  • Devolution gives local powers to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

Political History & Gradual Change

  • Political change characterized by gradualism; policymaking transitioned from monarch to Parliament.

Democracy vs Authoritarianism

  • Key developments since 1215: Magna Carta, trial by peers, church freedoms.

  • Shift from early authoritarianism to expanded parliamentary powers and rights.

Parliamentary Supremacy

  • The Act of Settlement (1701): monarchs must govern per Parliament’s laws.

  • Emergence of Prime Minister as leader of ruling party.

Suffrage Expansion

  • Great Reform Act of 1832 initiated suffrage expansion.

  • Universal suffrage achieved by 1928; lowered voting age to 18 in 1969.

Evolution of Parliament

  • 1911: House of Lords stripped of its power; reforms in the 1990s replaced hereditary peers.

Common Law Development

  • British legal system based on customs and precedents, forming governance principles.

  • Law Lords became the UK Supreme Court (2009).

Britain’s Constitution

  • Constitution is cumulative: Acts of Parliament, common law, and traditions.

Democratization

  • Gradual liberal democratic regime development; civil rights protected.

  • Two recent changes: regional assemblies and establishment of the Supreme Court (2005).

Rise of the Interventionist State

  • Britain maximized state control during WWI, increasing state role in the economy post-war.

Development of the Welfare State

  • 1945 Labour government nationalized key industries and established the NHS.

Economic Challenges and Political Rift

  • Economy challenged by public spending leading to strikes; Labour Party split over approach to welfare state.

Thatcherism

  • Under PM Margaret Thatcher: neoliberal policies, denationalization, cuts to welfare.

Success & Downfall of Thatcher

  • Short-term success but unpopular policies led to political challenges and resignation.

John Major's Leadership

  • Major pursued consensus, faced challenges including EU agreements, lost power to Labour.

New Labour under Tony Blair

  • Promoted a “Third Way”; significant electoral success focused on moderate policies.

Blair's Policy Achievements

  • Key economic reforms, Good Friday Agreement, constitutional reforms established.

Deterioration post-Blair

  • Decline in support due to fiscal policies and involvement in Iraq War.

Coalition Government 2010

  • Conservatives and Liberal Democrats form coalition; significant political changes.

Brexit Vote

  • 2016 referendum resulted in narrow support for leaving the EU; major political fallout ensued.

Theresa May's Premiership

  • Struggles with Brexit negotiations led to her resignation.

Political Changes under Boris Johnson

  • Strong electoral win, Brexit mandate secured, followed by withdrawal from the EU in Jan 2020.

COVID-19 Measures

  • Emergency powers introduced to handle the pandemic.

Political Turbulence 2022

  • Resignation of PM Johnson over controversies; Liz Truss briefly led, then resigned.

Current Leadership

  • Rishi Sunak took office; notable background and economic handling amidst challenges.