MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
MULTICULTURALISM
Definition: Multiculturalism refers to a society where people from different cultures, nationalities, and religions live together.
POSSIBLE MODELS:
1. Salad bowl society: This model integrates different cultures while maintaining their separate identities.
2. Melting pot: This model integrates different cultures by abandoning them and becoming a homogeneous group with a shared identity.
IMMIGRATION HISTORY
The United Kingdom has a long history of immigration. Here are some key events:
16th century: Immigration rises.
1948: The first British Nationality Act is passed, allowing all Commonwealth citizens to enter the UK for free.
1965: Main immigration from the Caribbean, India, and Pakistan.
1971: The Race Relations Act forbids racial discrimination and racism.
1970s: Racism is still a big problem.
1972: Immigrant population numbers first reach 3 million.
1980/90s: Wave of immigration from Kenya and Uganda.
2004: 10 new countries join the EU, enabling their citizens to move to Britain.
MAIN ORIGIN NATIONS:
- Poland: 9.50%
- India: 9.00%
- Pakistan: 5.90%
- Ireland: 4.50%
- Germany: 3.30%
- Romania: 2.60%
NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS:
- EU: More than 5 million
- Non-EU: More than 4 million
With time, immigration is getting restricted while racism is being addressed.
ADVANTAGES:
- Freedom of views (on religion, politics, etc.)
- Pluralism
- Exchange between cultures
- Society is enriched by diversity
- More open-mindedness and tolerance regarding all areas of life
- Immigrants bring new/different skills
- Progress of economy
- Diverse cuisine attracts tourists
BRITISHNESS MAP:
- Great Britain: Scotland, England, Wales (no isles)
- United Kingdom: Scotland, England, Wales (and isles), Northern Ireland
TRAITS:
- Successful nation-state
- Royal family/monarchy
- Multicultural
- Flexibility and fluidity
- British humor (ironic, dry)
- Politeness
- Tea
DISADVANTAGES:
- Inequality in multiple areas: education (less degrees, more dropouts), healthcare (less mental health help), employment (learn less, more unemployment, lower positions)
- Crime (higher rate of prosecution)
- Standards (overcrowded spaces)
- Living cultures live more together
- Discrimination, exclusion
- Parallel than actually illegal immigrants
- Possible language/communication barriers
- Fear of losing own culture
- Sense of not fully belonging anywhere
- 2nd generation children have extreme pressure to succeed for their immigrant parents
- Severe gaps between social classes
DEFINITION:
"Britishness/British Identity" means the shared identity of the United Kingdom. Each nation (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) has its own unique identity. It is more political than cultural because of the multiculturalism and struggles to be defined.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT:
The UK has a parliamentary system of government.
The Judiciary:
- The UK Courts of Law: 12 professional judges uphold the law and represent the rule of law.
- It designs, amends, and approves bills.
The appointed Legislature:
- The House of Lords: Approximately 760 members (life peers, Anglican bishops, 92 hereditary peers).
- Life peers can be recommended by the prime minister, leaders of opposition parties, or a commission and are appointed by the crown.
- It represents the unwritten Constitution.
The elected Legislature:
- The House of Commons: MPs are elected from 650 constituencies (in first-past-the-post electoral system every five years).
- The party with the most MPs forms the government.
- It designs, amends, and approves bills.
- It represents the will of the people.
The Executive:
- The Government: The leader of the party with the most MPs in the Commons becomes prime minister (head of the government).
- It appoints approximately 20 ministers/heads of government departments to the cabinet.
- It puts forward laws and runs the government.
- It represents the will of the majority.
The Electorate:
- All men and women over the age of 18.
CONSTITUTION:
The UK has never had a written constitution. There are a number of documents that are linked to important events:
- The Magna Carta (Great Charter) (1215): Limits the monarch's power and protects the rule of law.
- The Bill of Rights (1689): Limits the monarch's power, reinforces the rights of the parliament, and civil rights.
THE LABOUR PARTY:
- Founded: 1900
- Position: Centre-left
- Values: Democratic socialist
- Appoints the prime minister
THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY:
- Founded: 1834
- Position: Centre-right
- Values: Conservative
- Criticizes multiculturalism and supports Brexit
MONARCHY
GENERAL FACTS:
- The monarchy is the oldest form of government.
- Constitutional monarchy reigns but does not rule.
- The monarch must follow power, which is limited.
- Today: Queen Elizabeth II (since 1952) of House Windsor.
- The constitution and parliamentary system reign over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations.
- The monarchy is a big part of British identity.
- 68% of the British want the monarchy.
- It is great for charity and attracts tourists.
- It would ruin lots of traditions.
- It costs only a few cents.
- It unites the UK.
- It gives stability and role models.
SHOULD THE MONARCHY BE ABOLISHED?
Arguments for:
- Against monarchy expensive lifestyle
- Not really democratic
- State and church are tied together
- Outdated concept
- Gets to choose multiple important positions
- No guarantee for a good monarch
- Tourists would come either way
Arguments against:
- Brings money in
- Pro tax
- Has no real political power anyways
- Neutral head of state
- Pays long time
- Commander of the armed forces
- Represents the country
BREXIT
British exit from the EU caused by a referendum in 2016 (52% won). It was highly controversial, with England and Wales being pro and Scotland and Northern Ireland being against. The UK was a member of the EU from 1973 to 2020.
REASONS:
- Political: Immigration control
- Economical: Free trade, EU membership costs 350 million per week
- Identity: Independence, self-determination
CONSEQUENCES:
- Less stability and safety
- Prices rise
- Travel/migration way more difficult
- Less influence on the world
TIMELINE:
- 2016: UK votes Brexit
- 2017: Negotiations begin
- 2018: EU and UK agree on transition phase (transition period)
- 2020: Transition period ends, Brexit is done
HISTORY
BRITISH EMPIRE - COLONIZATION:
- The British Empire existed from the 16th to the 20th century.
- Britain colonized about a quarter of the world's land and ruled over 400 million people.
- "The sun never sets on the empire."
- The empire defeated other nations due to their great fleet and technical advance.
- Trade of goods and slaves all over the world (especially East India Company).
- Exploitation of natural resources.
- Forced spread of Christianity.
- They mapped Africa.
- Slavery was abolished in the early 19th century.
- Downfall came slowly in the early 20th century.
- Multiple independence wars in different colonies.
COMMONWEALTH - DECOLONIZATION:
- Officially founded in 1931.
- Voluntary association of 53 countries, former colonies of the British Empire.
- Each member country has its own government.
- The British monarch is everyone's head of state.
- Close cooperation in government and economy based on shared history and values.
- 2.4 billion citizens.
MAPS:
- The British Empire at its peak.
- The Commonwealth of Nations today.
