Pre-reading questions:
1. What makes Britain unique as a democratic state?
2. What do you know about British political culture?
3. How can you characterise the British political life?
Britain has a long history of independent existence as a more or less united
nation. It has a strong commitment to democracy, with its representative institutions of government, based on regular and free elections, in addition to strong liberal values about individual rights and responsibilities. It was the first parliamentary democracy in Europe, so that many of the other countries modelled their institutions, party system and methods on the British experience. In particular, the Westminster model was exported to many of the colonies and territories of the old Empire, when countries became independent.
The British have traditionally preferred to use parliamentary channels rather than the anti-parliamentary politics of street demonstrations, direct action and terrorist violence. People generally accept the main institutions of state and the idea that issues should be resolved through the ballot box and not by the bullet and the
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bomb, even if at various times individuals and groups in parts of Ireland have not subscribed to that preference. People have been willing to place trust in the political elite that rules them, so that social deference (respect for or compliance with the wishes of those in authority) has often been mentioned as a source of British conformity and acquiescence in the status quo.
Continuity is another key element in British political life. It affects not just the hereditary monarchy and the House of Lords, which until 1999 had a large hereditary element, but other institutions that also have a long history. The country has not been a prey to the internal turmoil, revolutionary dissent or occupation by a foreign power which many of our continental neighbours have experienced. Relatively free from upheaval, the British have enjoyed a stable political system, in which the past presses heavily on the present practice. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary change has been preferred. The British have a preference for pragmatism over ideology and doctrine. As the country lacks a written constitution, ideas and institutions relating to government evolved over the years, being modified as change becomes desirable or necessary. When politicians do suggest something which is very different to what voters are used to, such proposals are regarded with suspicion. Constitutional and parliamentary reformers invariably find that many individuals and groups are resistant to new thinking.
Britain's island position has affected its attitudes, with important historical, economic and political consequences. The sea has helped to protect the country from invasion, but has also strengthened the development of the common language and national identity. It has made people reluctant to throw in their lot with the European Community/Union, for Britain is separated from the continent by geography, language and culture. In many respects it has stronger bonds with the Unites States, with ties of historical development, defence interests, language and entertainment. To the island Britain, trade was always important and a spur to colonial expansion – it developed a British Empire, now the Commonwealth, so that in foreign policy it has links with Europe (since joining the Community in 1973), the Commonwealth and the USA.
Word study
1. Find words in the text which correspond to the following:
1. a willingness to give your time and energy to something that you believe in, or a promise or firm decision to do something
2. respect and politeness
3. the act of obeying an order, rule, or request
4. behaviour that follows the usual standards that are expected by a group or
society
5. willing to do what other people want
6. the fact of something continuing for a long period of time without being
changed or stopped
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7. to be hurt or deceived by someone or something bad
8. a state of confusion, uncertainty, or disorder
9. strong difference of opinion on a particular subject, especially about an
official suggestion or plan or a popular belief
10.a great change, especially causing or involving much difficulty, activity, or
trouble
11.the quality of dealing with a problem in a sensible way that suits the
conditions that really exist, rather than following fixed theories, ideas, or
rules
12.who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them
different from others
13.something that acts as an encouragement for an activity or development
2. Translate the following word combinations into Russian and recall how they are used in the text:
a. tomodelsomethingon
b. to resolve through the ballot box
c. to subscribe to a preference
d. to be a prey to
e. to be free from upheaval
f. to have a preference for something over something else
g. to evolve over the years
h. to be regarded with suspicion
i. to be resistant to new thinking
j. to be a spur to something
After-reading questions:
1. What characterises Britain as a united nation?
2. What importance is attached to the fact that Britain was the first
constitutional democracy in Europe?
3. Why do the British prefer parliamentary channels rather than
demonstrations, direct action and violence?
4. What is a source of British conformity and acquiescence?
5. What is another key element in British political life?
6. Why does Britain have a stable political system?
7. How do voters treat constitutional and parliamentary reformers? Why?
8. What role does the island position of Britain play in shaping the British?
9. Why does Britain have stronger ties with the USA?
10.What role did the trade play in the development of the British Empire?