Class on February the 2nd

Today in class we began to look at the United Kingdom.  Reminder you have a current event due on Monday the 6th as well as a Map Quiz tomorrow.  

Name ______________

Period ______________

 

Country Breakdown Guide

Summarize the History of England.

Describe the government of England.

Summarize the economy of England.

Does England have a good relationship with the international community?  Explain.

What fact do you find the most interesting in this breakdown?

What is Brexit?

CIA FACTBOOK

Background

The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two world wars and the Irish Republic's withdrawal from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. The latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process, but devolution was fully completed in March 2010.

The UK was an active member of the EU from 1973 to 2016, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, frustrated by a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU. The so-called “Brexit” will take years to carry out but could be the signal for referenda in other EU countries where skepticism of EU membership benefits is strong.

Economy - overview:

The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is the third largest economy in Europe after Germany and France. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining; the UK has been a net importer of energy since 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, are key drivers of British GDP growth. Manufacturing, meanwhile, has declined in importance but still accounts for about 10% of economic output.

In 2008, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Falling home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded Britain's economic problems, pushing the economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the then BROWN (Labour) government to implement a number of measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets. Facing burgeoning public deficits and debt levels, in 2010 the CAMERON-led coalition government (between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) initiated an austerity program, which has continued under the new Conservative majority government. However, the deficit still remains one of the highest in the G7, standing at 5.1% of GDP as of mid-2015. London intends to eliminate its deficit by 2020, primarily through additional cuts to public spending and welfare benefits. It has also pledged to lower its corporation tax from 20% to 18% by 2020.

In 2012, weak consumer spending and subdued business investment weighed on the economy, however, GDP grew 1.7% in 2013 and 2.8% in 2014, accelerating because of greater consumer spending and a recovering housing market. As of late 2015, the Bank of England is examining when to begin raising interest rates from historically low levels while being cautious not to damage economic growth. While the UK is one of the fastest growing economies in the G7, economists are concerned about the potential negative impact if the UK votes to leave the EU. The UK has an extensive trade relationship with other EU members through its access to the single market and economic observers have warned an exit could jeopardize its position as the central location for European financial services.

·                      Disputes - international:

in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insisted on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproved of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory); in 2001, the former inhabitants of the archipelago, evicted 1967 - 1973, were granted UK citizenship and the right of return, followed by Orders in Council in 2004 that banned rehabitation, a High Court ruling reversed the ban, a Court of Appeal refusal to hear the case, and a Law Lords' decision in 2008 denied the right of return; in addition, the UK created the world's largest marine protection area around the Chagos islands prohibiting the extraction of any natural resources therein; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 12,383 (Eritrea); 12,667 (Iran); 9,045 (Zimbabwe); 9,354 (Afghanistan); 6,977 (Somalia); 6,319 (Pakistan); 5,279 (Sri Lanka); 6,076 (Sudan); 6,496 (Syria) (2015)

stateless persons: 41 (2015)

Illicit drugs:

producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center

England - Profile

England is the largest constituent part of the United Kingdom, and accounts for 83 per cent of its population and most of its economic activity. Issues affecting the United Kingdom as a whole therefore also apply to England in particular, especially in the case of identity politics. England's continuing contribution to world civilisation is significant, ranging from language to sport, music and law. The various kingdoms set up by Germanic settlers in the 5th-6th centuries were finally united into the Kingdom of England between 927 and 954. The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought in a new ruling class from northern France and heavily influenced the language, culture and European orientation of the country. Weather - good or bad - is a popular topic of conversation England gradually annexed Wales and established hegemony over Ireland and Scotland. This Kingdom of England had a distinct identity until it was subsumed into the United Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The establishment of devolved parliaments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales after 1997 gave those constituent parts of the United Kingdom their own political identity, leaving England the only part directly run by the British government. This has raised the profile of the "West Lothian question", namely that Scottish MPs can vote on specifically English matters in the Westminster parliament while English MPs have no say over Scottish affairs. Between 1998 and 2010, England had its own quasi-governmental organisations and Regional Assemblies. In June 2010, the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government announced that it was abolishing regional strategies and returning planning powers to local government. Only the London Assembly, which was formed in 2000, is directly elected. The Assembly holds the Mayor of London - the most powerful directly-elected politician in the United Kingdom - to account by monitoring his spending and other activities. The former Labour government's proposals for other elected assemblies were dealt a blow by the rejection of such a body in the North-East of England in a 2004 referendum. Plans for referendums in other regions were subsequently abandoned. A campaign for an English parliament grew out of a belief in certain quarters that the Devolution acts of 1998 had put England at a serious political and constitutional disadvantage. Cornwall, an English county with a separate Celtic identity, has also seen a campaign for its own devolved regional assembly. Identity According to the most recent census data, about 95% of the population of Scotland and Wales identify as White British, rising to 99% in Northern Ireland. The comparable figure for England is just under 85%. Therefore most of the British debate about ethnic diversity, immigration and national identity in fact applies to England. This sensitive political question is further complicated by two factors. Many England footballers are known the world over First, British and English institutions and national identifiers such as flag, language, anthem and popular culture largely overlap. As a result, markers of specific English identity, such as the flag of St George, tend to be unofficial, while similar signs of Scottish and Welsh nationhood are sanctioned by the separate institutions of those countries. Second, Scottish and Welsh nationalist movements have long been part of the political mainstream, and are seen as champions of legitimate historical national identities. English nationalism, on the other hand, has often been portrayed as a reaction to non-white immigration and seen as largely the province of the far right. But there is a constitutional nationalist movement that focuses on the English parliament issue. This makes public discussion of English identity politics difficult, as politicians on the left and right have discovered, as accusations of racism and appeasement of minorities are exchanged. The one area where English identity is able to develop without political controversy is the realm of culture, and sporting teams are often the most comfortable focus for national loyalty. Culture England has made a number of major contributions to civilisation, perhaps the most significant being its language. Through a combination of British colonial expansion and trade, plus the world-power status of the United States since 1945, English has approached de facto international second language status. Outside the large areas of the world where it is already an official if not first language, English predominates in international diplomacy and has become the main language in science, communications, business and the entertainment industry. It is estimated that more than a billion people can speak English at a basic level. Among other cultural achievements, England's sporting life is followed worldwide, in particular its football Premier League and cricket team. In terms of popular music, England's international impact has rivalled that of the United States from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the club scene of the 1990s and beyond. Law English law - represented by TV character Rumpole - underpins a variety of legal systems abroad English law underpins a variety of legal systems worldwide. A common-law system distinct from that practised in the rest of Europe, it spread with the expansion of the British Empire and applies in many countries previously ruled by Britain. Under common law, judges apply legal precedent in court on the basis of previous court rulings. This is distinct from civil law, the predominant legal system in the world, which requires judges to apply prior abstract rules to cases under consideration. As the United Kingdom is a member of the European Union, European civil law is also applicable in England and Wales in matters pertaining to interpretation of European Union law. FACTS ·                                 England ·                                 Status: Part of United Kingdom ·                                 Population: 51.45 million (2008 official estimate) ·                                 Capital: London ·                                 Area: 130,395 sq km (50,346 sq miles) ·                                 Major language: English ·                                 Major religion: Christianity ·                                 Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN) ·                                 Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence ·                                 Main exports: Manufactured goods, chemicals, foodstuffs ·                                 GNI per capita (UK figure): US $45,390 (World Bank, 2008) ·                                 Internet domain: .uk ·                                 International dialling code: +44 MEDIA London is the hub of the media industry in England and the UK. The capital is a major centre for broadcasting, film and programme making, publishing and new media. Most of the BBC's UK-wide TV and radio networks are based in London, although the corporation is moving some programme departments to Manchester, in north-west England. BBC local radio serves communities from the Channel Islands to the Scottish border The BBC and commercial operators run TV and radio services across the English regions. Local TV output often comprises a half-hour evening programme, featuring regional stories. The BBC's English Regions local radio network comprises 40 stations, many of them serving a single county. Outlets follow a news and speech-based remit. Local and regional commercial radio formats are often music-based. The radio market, particularly in London, is highly competitive. The UK's national newspaper titles publish from London, although they have deserted their famous Fleet Street home. There is a lively local and regional press scene; many dailies and weeklies are owned by large publishing groups. Some papers distribute free copies in an attempt to stem declining circulations.

LEADERS

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1952 upon the death of her father, George VI.

Queen Elizabeth II

She is the second longest serving head of state, after the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was crowned in 1946.

She is also head of state of 16 independent countries including Canada and Australia.

As a constitutional monarch, her role in the legislative process is largely ceremonial.

Prime minister: David Cameron

David Cameron became prime minister at the head of a coalition government on 11 May 2010, returning his centre-right Conservative Party to power after 13 years of rule by the centre-left Labour Party.

David Cameron: First Conservative prime minister in 13 years

Mr Cameron formed a partnership with the third party, the Liberal Democrats, after an inconclusive parliamentary election from which the Conservatives emerged with the largest number of seats, but without an absolute majority.

It is the first formal coalition government in 70 years to govern the UK, where the electoral system usually guarantees a majority for the largest party.

The new PM was confronted by a daunting economic situation, with the UK only slowly emerging from a deep recession caused by the 2008 global financial collapse, and facing a rapidly mounting budget deficit.

Assuming office, Mr Cameron promised that cutting the deficit would be his top priority. In October 2010, Mr Cameron's government announced a programme of deep cuts in government spending - the UK's largest in generations.

In 2011, the prime minister was criticised for hiring a journalist implicated in the scandal surrounding the hacking of phones by the now defunct News of the World newspaper as his communications director. The journalist, Andy Coulson, a former News of the World editor, resigned and was later arrested in connection with the allegations.

Born the son of a wealthy stockbroker in 1966 in London, Mr Cameron was educated at Eton College - Britain's top private school - and Oxford University. Aged 43 on coming to power, he was the youngest prime minister since 1812.