Alternativer Bildtext:

the other way around timeline OF BRITISH HISTORY the UK becomes the most powerful nation in the world 19th century Ireland under English control (Henry Will) Kingdom of Ireland' 1535 the king of Scotland also becomes the king of England 1604 1542. Wales is fully annexed by England 1998 own law-making institutions for Scotland, Ireland & Wales union between Ireland and Great Britain United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland' 1801 1707 the union of Scotland and England refusing to introduce the euro 2002 beginning of the comprehensive welfare state 1942 1919-1921. Irish war of independence 2014 Scotland's referendum on independence is defeated the UK joins the EU 1973 1945 turning-point: India gaining indepen- dence the British Empire starting to decline Brexit: the UK officially leaves the EU 2020 THE WELFARE SYSTEM A welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the social and economic well-being of its citizens comprises expenditures by the government of the UK intended to improve health, education, employment & social security everyone should be able to provide for basics & maintain a decent lifestyle The modern UK welfare state was founded in 1948 with the aim of providing cradle. grave protection. to the welfare payments are intended to help people through temporary periods of difficulty le.g. sick- ness or unemployment) many people are needy for reasons beyond their control lie. disabilities) > not providing help for the needy would create even greater social problems Humanitarianism: it is our moral duty. as a society to take care of people who cannot help themselves > THE NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE NORTH people are poorer & have worse health care →in the 2000s industrial heart- land welfare dependency (Abhängigkeit) • it can be seen as the easy way out' Individuals should be responsible for their own lives and should not rely on handouts from the state > Charities are there to help the needy (support does not have to come from the state) extremly expensive ('unaffordable ) (3 of all governmental spendings) > the system encourages people to put no effort into searching for a way to make money on their own > welfare gap between those living long-term in this system and those outside it only very little people would really need this support the term 'North-South divide' referes to the cultural, economic, & social differen- ces between northern England and sou- thern England SOUTH people are richer, have better health care & often better edu- cation most businesses choose the south over the north → BRITAIN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY British Empire has resulted in immigration from Commonwealth countries > EU membership also led to migration from EU countries le.g. for work). generally, the UK is one of the most diverse places globally Thus, the British "culture" is kind of a mixture of many different cultural aspects from different countries → economy, literature, music & food are influenced by immigrants MULTICULTURALISM the presence of, or support to the presence of, several distinct or ethnic groups within a society PRO enriches a society (wide variety of food, etc.) people become more open-minded & tolerant foreign workers bring a new perspective into the workplace (greater creativity, etc.) THE MONARCHY seen by many as an outdated institution want an elected head of state plays only a small political role nowadays, (power of the monarch is limited) official head of the Church of England; officially opening the Parliament each year, appointing the Prime Minister after a general election, usually meetings with the Prime Minister Conce a week to discuss current issues & give advice; etc. However, the monarchy is still an essential part of the British political system. Popularity of the Royal Family has increased in recent years CON national identity & traditions can / will get lost when cultures are very different, they cannot in- tegrate, only exist side by side • different cultures = (sometimes) different values. SHOULD BRITAIN REMAIN A MONARCHY? PRO stands for British values & national unity integral parts of the nation's culture & heritage → monarch brings stability to a country (pre- sident changes every few years) the Royals personify the state human, understandable & likeable alternative, elected head of state would not be cost-free either more the monarchy can help in questions of inter- national politics (Commonwealth) > Because there is no written constitution, it would be hard to abolish the monarchy CON • reinforces the idea that some people are born better than others a hereditary monarchy is inappropriate for a modern democratic society (election) • plays no big role in politics (functions are mainly formal) unnecessary → very costly (+ financed by citizens) promotes social division chosen by birth Inot achievement, character, etc.) personal scandals of members of the royal family could undermine the reputation of the state