BRITISH CIVILIZATION

4 International relations

Britain’s historical position as a colonial, economic and political power was in relative decline by
the early decades of the twentieth century.

The effects of global economic competition, two World Wars, the emergence of Cold War politics,
forced Britain to recognize its reduced international status.

Britain’s major defence alliance is with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

5 The legal system

The legal system is among the oldest and most traditional of British institutions.

The law, order and the workings of the legal system are of concern to british people.

Britain does´nt have a common legal system. Instead, there are three separate elements : those of
England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Statute law was originally made by the monarch.

6 The economy

Historically, the British economy has been conditioned by agricultural and industrial revolutions.

Government policies have created a mixed economy of public and private sectors.

The public sector includes the public services and the the private sectors didn´t have a public
services.

The location of British industry was dictated by the industrial revolutions, because the Second
World War causes economic problems.