Aims
This course aims to:
• explore the historical development of the British political system to explain its unique characteristics
• examine the background, role and influence of key political and social institutions in British politics
• analyse how contemporary issues and media have shaped modern British political culture
Content
The British political system is often described as having evolved rather than being designed, but what does this mean in practice? This short course explores the historical and contemporary forces that have shaped British politics into its current form. We begin by examining the historical development of British democracy, from monarchy through civil war to today’s parliamentary democracy. Next, we explore the history and ideological foundations of Britain's major political parties, and how their particular stories continue to shape the way they operate today. We then turn to Britain's unique institutional landscape, examining how organisations like trade unions, the established church, and industry shape political development. The fourth session focuses on Britain's distinctive media environment, particularly the tabloid press, and its profound influence on political discourse. Finally, we examine some contemporary challenges facing British politics, exploring how decisions are shaped and constrained by the country’s particular political traditions. Throughout, we'll pay attention to how these various elements interact to create Britain's distinctive political culture.
Presentation of the course
The course will be delivered through interactive lectures that combine historical analysis with contemporary examples. Students are encouraged to engage in discussion and to ask questions, drawing on their own knowledge of different political systems to illuminate the distinctive features of British politics.
Course sessions
1. From absolute to constitutional monarchy: The historical development of British democracy, exploring key events like the Civil War and Reform Acts that shaped today's system. As well as historical developments, we’ll look at contemporary examples of the tensions between parliamentary sovereignty and executive power such as royal prerogatives.
2. More than just left and right: British political parties, their histories and traditions, examining how Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties evolved. Topics will include the Conservative Party's transformation from aristocratic party to modern electoral winning machine, and the Labour Party’s regular identity crises.
3. The pillars of the system: Key institutions in British politics, from the Church of England to trade unions, and their changing influence over time. Issues will include if established religion still has a role in UK society, and how political parties are and should be funded.
4. The fourth estate: The unique role of the British media in political life, focusing particularly on tabloid newspapers and their influence on political culture, but also on the role of social media in recent elections and whether the influence of the tabloids is fading.
5. Contemporary challenges: examining how traditional institutions adapt to new pressures. Topics will be drawn from what’s in the headlines – but could include issues like how nineteenth-century industrial development patterns still shape regional inequalities; House of Lords reform; the tension between the founding principles of the NHS and modern healthcare delivery; and how Victorian infrastructure shapes modern public services, from railways and ports, to water and sewerage.
Learning outcomes
You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course.
The learning outcomes for this course are:
• to understand and explain the historical development of key features of the British political system
• to analyse the role and interaction of various institutions in British political life
• to evaluate how contemporary challenges are met by British political traditions and practices
