Protects civil rights and liberties, despite discrimination against marginalized groups
Civil Society
Voluntary groups, online activists, and social movements independent of government
Active civil society
Crucial for democratic states to thrive
Role of Protests
Amplify citizens' voices beyond elections, demonstrate intense feelings and contribute to civil society
Historical Context
Middle Ages and Modern day: battles over taxation, religious freedom, right to unionize
Late 1800s/Early 1900s: Right to vote expanded
Example: 2019 'climate strike' highlighted citizen activism for climate change
Civil Service System
Bureaucracy staffing based on competitive testing and qualifications
Parliamentary Sovereignty
Parliament's power is supreme over the state, civil rights protected through long-standing consensus, Welfare State programs benefit citizens' health and well-being
Magna Carta established rights to trial by peers and limited monarchy's power
1215
Henry VIII broke with Catholic Church, leading to religious conflicts
1534
Civil war and Cromwell's rule, monarchy restoration
1640s
Glorious Revolution expanded parliamentary power over monarchy
1688
Representation of the People Act granted voting rights to men and some women
1918
Industrialization Impact
1800s: UK became a global power through economic transformation
1900s: Post-WW2 democracy expanded social rights and welfare programs
Unitary System vs. Devolution
Unitary system centralizes power, devolution grants regional authority
Devolution
Northern Ireland and Scotland's devolved powers
Executive Branch
Headed by Monarch and Prime Minister, Prime Minister's powers include proposing legislation and foreign policy, Cabinet ministers support PM's decisions, Terms and elections regulated by Fixed-term Parliaments Act
Legislature
House of Commons and House of Lords are key legislative bodies, House of Lords reformed in 1999 to reduce hereditary peers, Checks on PM's power include vote of no confidence and Question Time
United Kingdom in AP Politics
The only liberal democracy studied in AP Politics
Judiciary
Common-law system ensures consistent application of law, Supreme Court established in 2009 for judicial oversight, Justices appointed based on merit, can rule on civil rights violations and devolution disputes
Elections for House of Commons
Free and fair, controlled by two major parties
Government
Protects civil rights and liberties, despite discrimination against marginalized groups
Civil Society
Voluntary groups, online activists, and social movements independent of government
Active civil society
Crucial for democratic states to thrive
Role of Protests
Amplify citizens' voices beyond elections, demonstrate intense feelings and contribute to civil society
Historical Context
Middle Ages and Modern day: battles over taxation, religious freedom, right to unionize
Late 1800s/Early 1900s: Right to vote expanded
Example: 2019 'climate strike' highlighted citizen activism for climate change
Civil Service System
Bureaucracy staffing based on competitive testing and qualifications
Parliamentary Sovereignty
Parliament's power is supreme over the state, civil rights protected through long-standing consensus, Welfare State programs benefit citizens' health and well-being
Magna Carta established rights to trial by peers and limited monarchy's power
1215
Henry VIII broke with Catholic Church, leading to religious conflicts
1534
Civil war and Cromwell's rule, monarchy restoration
1640s
Glorious Revolution expanded parliamentary power over monarchy
1688
Representation of the People Act granted voting rights to men and some women
1918
Industrialization Impact
1800s: UK became a global power through economic transformation
1900s: Post-WW2 democracy expanded social rights and welfare programs
Unitary System vs. Devolution
Unitary system centralizes power, devolution grants regional authority
Devolution
Northern Ireland and Scotland's devolved powers
Executive Branch
Headed by Monarch and Prime Minister, Prime Minister's powers include proposing legislation and foreign policy, Cabinet ministers support PM's decisions, Terms and elections regulated by Fixed-term Parliaments Act
Legislature
House of Commons and House of Lords are key legislative bodies, House of Lords reformed in 1999 to reduce hereditary peers, Checks on PM's power include vote of no confidence and Question Time
Judiciary
Common-law system ensures consistent application of law, Supreme Court established in 2009 for judicial oversight, Justices appointed based on merit, can rule on civil rights violations and devolution disputes