XII.

BRITAIN TODAY
 LESSER BRITAIN
o Britain has always had the status as a superpower, even though it was a small island
nation, thanks to its economic situation, development, relationship with the USA and nuclear
weapons
o it was so called “pocket superpower”, which means it was a small country, but it had a big
role during the history (the end of the Empire, WWII and Marshall Plan, Global Crisis
2007-2011, for instance)
o today, however, the large role on the world stage is shrinking and the country has to
rethink its role (Great Britain vs. Lesser Britain)
o in the future the country should not automatically follow the USA

 FOREIGN AND DEFENCE POLICY

o foreign policy do not reflect the reality of its world position
o Britain was engaged in wars and peacekeeping duties
o there is a particular bias – special relationships with the USA based on the common
language, traditions, history, military partnerships
o since 1997 Britain tries to persuade partners and create coalitions for military actions –
member of the EU (but euro sceptic, its own policy priorities), member of the UN Security
Council, alliance with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (but wars outside the NATO
area, for example the war in Afghanistan – UK helped the USA – criticized)
o nuclear weapons – submarine based system, it should be replaced in the future,
modernization (2015), but it is very expensive, the country spends a lot on welfare system,
so to replace the weapons it should rise the taxes – protests, it is still discussed if the country
needs the weapons or not

 COMMERCE
o does not longer include the USA so much – committed to Europe, as the competition has
increased the USA are oriented more to China or India, to the UK anymore
o decline in the manufacturing in the 1970s
o in 2007 the country hit by the financial crisis, today it already is getting better

 SCOTTISH REFERENDUM
o 18th September 2014, the question was if Scotland should be an independent country or not
o in 1707 (The Act of Union) Scotland was united with England and Wales, but it never
became a part of the UK entirely, as soon as it was united there were talks about its
independence – 1934 Scottish National Party was established, in 2007 it won the first
election, again in 2011
o Scotland as well as Wales and Northern Ireland has its own parliament (devolution in
1997)
o there are two main parties in Scottish parliament – Yes Scotland (independence) vs. Better
Together (part of the UK)
o nobody know how it will end as there are still pros (own parliament, laws, legal system) and
cons (rising taxes, less money on public services)
o Scotland votes NO

 REDEFINING OF THE ROYALS

o Catherine The Duchess of Cambridge is the first royal bride with a university education,
she was from middle class, lived with William before the marriage
o the marriage is essential for the future of the monarchy, if it falls apart it would increased the
insecurity in the country, Catherine considered as “new fresh air” in the royal family
o there are also other changes (300 years change) – first-born female succeed the throne,
future monarch may marry a Roman Catholic
 TEENAGE CRIME
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 o British are afraid of their own young generation – British youth drink more than
European youth, they are more likely to take drugs, high rate of young pregnancy, sexual
transmitted diseases
o British kids are less integrated into adult society
o everything might be a result of insufficient education – most children go to state schools,
10 % of state schools are inadequate, or it might be a result of rapid social change, family
and life community life changes, individualistic culture, dropping school early
o focus on helping kids more than punishing them (criminal response in the UK is when the
child is 8 years old)
 London Riots 2011 – after a young man was shot by police there was a rebellion in the
streets, explanation for it might be welfare dependence (people were given not much
money), spending cuts, weak policies, lack of fathers in families, racism (too many black
men and women treated like criminals when they are not)

 LGBTQI RIGHTS IN UK
o lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in the United Kingdom have
evolved dramatically over time though still vary slightly by jurisdiction in the four
nations of the United Kingdom
o before and during the formation of the UK, Christianity and homosexuality clashed
o same-sex sexual activity was characterised as sinful and, under the Buggery Act 1533, was
outlawed and punishable by death
o LGBT rights first came to prominence following the decriminalisation of same-sex sexual
activity across the UK between 1967 and 1982
o Northern Ireland does not intend to introduce same-sex marriage and recognises same-sex
marriages as civil partnerships
o according to the Adoption and Children Act of 2002 (entered into force in 2005), gay and
lesbian single persons as well as same-sex couples have a right to adopt a child in the UK
o The UK is only one of 14 countries where same-sex couples can legally adopt children

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