GovernmentoftheUKHastheoldestrepresentativedemocracyintheworld.(over1000years)KeytermsThedivinerightofkings.(ThekingreceivedhispowerfromofGod–notfromthepeopleheruledover.)ThisthinkingcamefromtheBible–OldTestamentexampleofKingDavidwhowasappointedkingoverIsraelbyaprophet.Absolutepower–turnedoutnotsoabsoluteThekingshouldreceiveadvicefromimportantmenlikebarons.KingJohnfinallyhadtosignthe“MagnaCarta”.KeyClauseNofreemanshallbeseizedorimprisoned,orstrippedofhisrightsorpossessions,oroutlawedorexiled.Norwillweproceedwithforceagainsthimexceptbythelawfuljudgmentofhisequalsorbythelawoftheland.Tonoonewillwesell,tonoonedenyordelayrightorjusticeTheMagnaCartaplacedlimitsontheking'spowerandisconsideredoneofthefirststepstowardshavingarepresentativegovernment.TheParliamentParliamentComesfromverb-“toparley”-discussortalk.1236Developedwhenthekingwantedtoraisemoney.FirstGroup–theGreatCouncil(thewealthy)“Summonedbyname”SecondGroupRepresentativesofcommunitiesTheHouseofLords(summonedbyname)TheHouseofCommons(summonedbyrepresentation)PrimeMinister&CabinetKingmetwithimportantmembersofParliament.BecameknownastheCabinet.KingGeorgeIThePrimeMinister1832–Modernpoliticalsystemisborn.GovernmentTodayAparliamentarydemocracyandAconstitutionalmonarchy.HeadofstateistheQueen–butherpowersarelargelytraditionalandsymbolic.Othercountrieswithsamesystem–Australia,Canada,NewZealandandIndia.(IndiadoesnotrecognizetheQueenastheirheadofstate).TheConstitutionItisoneofonly2countriesthatdonothaveawrittenconstitution.(GreatBritainandIsrael)Itisbaseduponstatutelaws–lawspassedbyParliament,commonlaws,andconventions.FunctionsofParliamentLawsTaxationMonitorthegovernmentTherearenorestraintsonParliamentRoleofMonarchytodayThe2HousesLordsCommonsReviewHowmanyinvasionshasEnglandexperienced?Whatarethe4partsoftheU.K.?WhodidKingArthurfightagainst?TellsomethingaboutRobinHood.WhatisBraveHeartabout?HowdidNorthernIrelandcomeabout?Whatisthecauseofthetroubles?ReviewWheredidtheVikingscomefrom?Whatwasdifferentabouttheinvaderswhocamein1066?Whatpopularfigureappearsduringthistime?Whatsayingisattributedtohim?ABOUThowmanypeopleareinEngland?Scotland?Wales?NorthernIreland?WhatistheIRA?WhatisGoodFriday?Politics/Class/RaceTherighttovoteforwhowillrepresentthemisveryimportant.Thishasgraduallyincreased.1832–5%1919-25%1928–99%(excludesHouseofLords)andsomegroupsWhenElectionsOccurRepresentedby650membersMajorityformsthenewgovernment5yearstoruleCancallelectionssooner“Voteofnoconfidence”Whocanrunforoffice?Lowrequirements500poundsEligibletovote“MonsterRavingLoonyParty”Whathappens?DatesetListofvoterswhoareeligibleVotingcardCampaignbegins“FreeTVtime”OpinionpollsSecretvotingPoliticalParties3MajorpartiesConservativeLabourLiberalDemocrats–20%LabourRedistributiveagentNationalHealthSerice“cradletograve”careBiggovernmentandhightaxesConservativeHashadmosttimeinpowerPartyoftheindividualProtectingindividualrightsDifferenceindegree–notanabsoluteLiberalDemocrats3rdlargestpartyOccupyingthemiddlegroundRecentTrendsTheproblemsofthe1970'sWidespreadstrikesMargaretThatcher–UK'sfirstwomanPrimeMinisterEncourageEntrepreneurshipSellingoffstateownedenterprisesTaxcutsChangesintheLabourpartyEnvironmentalPolicySignedontotheKyotoProtocolSeekingtouserenewableenergy/lowcarbonenergysourcesClassMoreimportantthaninothercountriesMakesadifferenceinanindividual's“life-chances”50%MiddleClass–50%WorkingClassEmploymentisthekeyidentifierReadingpreferencesEducation(Oxbridge)ClasscontinuedHereditaryaristocracyInheritedTitles:Baronets,Barons,DukesGettobeintheHouseofLordsInfluential–butdonotdominate