16th Century
Fleet-war
17th Century
Colonies in North America
1642-1649
English Civil war
18th Century
War against France & India
1776
North America becomes independent
Since 1880s
Almost all of west Africa belongs to GB
1902
Highlight of British Empire
1914-1918
World War 1
1947
India becomes independent
1960s
African colonies become independent
1973
Britain joins the EU
2020
The Uk leaves the EU
The Royals positive
Connection to many traditions
reforms in the royal family -> marriage with a middle class women
Succession to the throne, regardless of gender
Still a lot of interest - e.g. series the crown
The Royals negative
many scandals -> proncess Diana
A lot of taxes -> sovereign Grant (86,3 million pounds)
No direct representation of democracy-> hereditary order
No transparency
Cultural identity
Inborn
Acquired
Brexit General Information
23 June 2016, 51,9% voted in favor of leaving the EU
Negotions on terms of withdrawal -> trade, border controls, civil rights, financial obligations …
Final withdrawal 21 January 2020
Transition took place (till dec 2020) during which relations between the EU & the UK were maintained
24 dec 2020 trade agreement was signed for future business relations
Northern Ireland protocol-> regulates relationship between northern ireland and Ireland
Brexitcurrent Situation
No free movement between EU & UK
Permits needed for living in the UK (as a European)
New border & trade rules
Slowed economy -> buisnesses moved their headquarters to other countries
Employee shortage-> EU workers left
Worse living conditions
Political Parties
Conservative
Labour
The conservative party
Stron nationalism
law & order
Private enterprise
Minimal interference of the state in the economy
The labour party
state control & planning
nationalization of key industries
welfare
affiliation to the trade unions
Political System general information
UK -> constitutional monarchy (without a written constitution)
Legislature / Executive / Judiciary (not as specific as in Germany)
2 types of kaw : statute law: written form of rules and laws (parliamentary), common law (case law): historic body of conventions
Division: parliament & government
Parliament general functions
passes laws
watches the government policy & administration
debates major issues of the day
Different elements of the Parliament
House of commons
House of lords
The queen/ king
First chamber; lower house; democratically elected house
650 members represent interest & concerns of the public (elected body)
Legislature of the UK
Consists for 5 years
MPs propose new laws or ask about current issues
House of Lords
Second chamber; upper house
Checks/ shapes laws that were passed by the lower house
Consists of hereditary peers & life peers
Political power has been reduced over the years
Can be compared to the “German Bundesrat” or the “United States Senat”
The queen/ the king
Formal part of the government; no actual power
Positions are: symbol of nation unity/ head of state or “supreme governor” of the church of England
Exemplary tasks: appointing the prime minister
Representation of the country
She/ he can summon & dissolve Parliament
Cultural Identity concerning the UK
Strong belief in their country
Social etiquette
Regional identities
Importance of the monarchy & traditions
Language & literature
Richness of historical heritage
Multicultural britain -British empire as a clear reason for multiculturalism- movement against multiculturalism (feeling of britishness and fear of it’s loss)
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