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BADM 633 - Wk 2

The British Isles

Terry Ryan

How Many Countries in the British Isles?

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UK Flag

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Great Britain

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1.8 M

60.2 M

5.1 M

51.1M

3.0 M

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The Isle of Mann

The Isle of Man is part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. Isle of Man is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK. However, the UK Government remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Population is 76,000.

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UK

The capital, seat of government, and the largest city in the United Kingdom is London, the largest city in the UK

All of Great Britain has been ruled by the UK government in London since 1707. In1999 the first elections to the newly created Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales took place leaving England as the only part of the Great Britain with no devolved assembly or parliament.)

Government is a constitutional or representative monarchy.– Members of Parliament : Lower House (646 seats)– Prime Minister is leader of majority party (Labour)– House of Lords

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UK

Ethnicity– White: 92 %– Black: 2%– Asian: 3.1%

Religion– Christian: 72%– Muslim: 3%– Hindu: 1%– None: 23 %

Languages– English– Welsh (~ 750,000)– Scottish Gaelic (~ 60,000)

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UK

Government Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952); Heir

Apparent Prince Charles (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948)

Head of government: Prime Minister Gordon Brown (since 27 June 2007 – replaced Tony Blair)

Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister; uniqueness of Wales and NI

Elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is the prime minister

House of Lords - no elections (500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy)

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UK

Political Parties:– Conservative – Democratic Unionist Party (NI); – Labour Party – Liberal Democrats – Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) – Scottish National Party or SNP – Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland)– Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (NI)– Ulster Unionist Party (NI)

Cabinet Ministers in Wales & NI

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UK

Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice.

Voting: 18 yrs (includes drinking alcohol) Legal System: Based on common law tradition with early

Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998.

Member of European Union (elects MEP’s) Currency – Pound Sterling, NOT Euro

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UK

Economy The UK has a trillion dollar economy, ranked seventh in the world. Beginning in the 1980’s, the government has greatly reduced public

ownership (BA, electricity, gas, steel, rail) and contained the growth of social welfare programs.

Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force.

The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005; energy industries now contribute about 4% to GDP.

Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance.

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UK

Education Private schools (like Eton) are called public, but public schools as we know

them are in the vast majority K-6: start learning French; then, take “11’s” At 16, take O Levels (A levels in Scotland) and LEAVE school Strong VoTech system – Education for Life 16-18: if going to university, study specialty subjects for two years; then, take A

levels Depending upon desired major, apply to ten universities, starting with

“Oxbridge” (Oxford and Cambridge) If no schools select a candidate, start searching for openings at lower tier

schools (Mid-Majors?) University education was free until 1995; now pay modest tuition Trivia – student unions are truly UNIONS, as we define one

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ENGLAND

London is also is the capital of England. English is the official language of the UK and the first language

of the vast majority of the population. Both Wales and Scotland land have their own languages but English is spoken in both countries more.

Most of the world assumes that British people are "English" unless specified otherwise. – This of course is wrong. British people can be Scottish,

Welsh, Irish (living in Northern Ireland) or English. – The Scots and the Welsh are proud of their separate

identities and tend to be more forward about referring to themselves as Scottish or Welsh. But, most are “Brits” first, regional identity second

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ENGLAND

Briefly 84% of total UK population, with most in the middle

(London estuary to Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool)

Very diverse (Africans, Indians, South Africans) Primary sports are football (soccer) and rugby; cricket is

popular amongst all classes, but tends to be upper class. Food is basic, but very diverse in the larger cities

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Scotland

Briefly Sparsely populated, with majority of people in the

Lowlands between Glasgow and Edinburgh – the capital of Scotland - along the River Clyde.

Fairly homogenous population, but culturally different from west to east.

School system is rated highest in the UK Primary sports are football (soccer) and football; rugby is

played, but not as popular. Did I mention football? Food is basic, with some interesting variations.

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Scotland

Briefly Its fresh water lochs (lakes) – there are over 600 square miles of

them. One of the most famous is Loch Ness where a mysterious monster is said to lurk in the depths of the water.

It is also famous for its clans, kilts, medieval castles (MacBeth!), as well as poetry and songs of Robert Burns.

Trivia – many Scottish business people are not totally pleased with this image of Scotland, but they like to export Scotch Whiskey and textiles.

Golf is a great attraction for tourism (as it is in Ireland)

Theatre lovers from around the world come to Edinburgh for its famous theatres festival and the Tattoo

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Wales

Briefly Wales has not been politically independent since 1282, when it was

conquered by Edward of England. Until 1999, Wales was ruled directly from London; that year saw the

first elections to the National Assembly of Wales, which has limited domestic powers and cannot make law. Cardiff is the capital of Wales.

Wales does not issue its own currency and is not in control of any armed forces. These are the powers of the national government of the UK.

Historically, coal was the primary industry; now, it is trying to move towards high tech.

The national game of Wales is Rugby – singing is the second most popular pastime.

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Northern Ireland

Briefly In 1801 the whole of Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, with

the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

After years of civil war, Ireland became a republic in 1921. At this time, Britain negotiated with Ireland to keep the six counties in the north-east of Ireland. These six counties now make up what is known as Northern Ireland or Ulster. The southern part of the island is the Republic of Ireland, or Eire.

1927 - The current name of the UK, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted.

Like Scotland and Wales, historical heavy industry is struggling, but still have Bombardier Aerospace, Caterpillar, DuPont and Emerson Electric.

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Northern Ireland

Briefly In 1801 the whole of Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, with

the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

After years of civil war, Ireland became a republic in 1921. At this time, Britain negotiated with Ireland to keep the six counties in the north-east of Ireland. These six counties now make up what is known as Northern Ireland or Ulster. The southern part of the island is the Republic of Ireland, or Eire.

1927 - The current name of the UK, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted.

Like Scotland and Wales, historical heavy industry is struggling, but still have Bombardier Aerospace, Caterpillar, DuPont and Emerson Electric.

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Republic of Ireland

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions.

A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK.

In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth

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Republic of Ireland

Ireland joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification

of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups.

A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.

In Northern Ireland, both sides recently agreed to disarm and destroy their respective arsenals.

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Ireland

The capital, seat of government, and the largest city in Ireland is Dublin.

Ireland’s present population pales in comparison to what it was estimated to be 160 years ago.

The Potato Famine in the middle part of the 19th Century killed many and drove others to emigrate, primarily to the USA.

The Easter Rebellion of 1918 finally led to independence, but not before Civil War broke out between differing Irish factions.

Finally, in 1921, Ireland became what it resembles today.

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Ireland

Ethnicity– Irish: 88 %– Other White: 7%– Black: 1%

Religion– Roman Catholic: 87%– Church of Ireland: 3%– Other: 5%– None: 4 %

Languages– English– Irish or Gaelic is spoken mainly along west coast

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Ireland

Government The government is a republic, parliamentary democracy There are 26 counties in the south (with six in NI or Ulster)

chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)

Head of government: Prime Minister Brian Cowen (since 7 May 2008)

Cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives

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Ireland

Government Elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term

(eligible for a second term Mary Aleese was appointed to a second term when no other candidate

qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime minister (taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president

Bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)

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Ireland

Political Parties: Fianna Fail [ Fine Gael Green Party Labor Party Progressive Democrats (disbanding); Sinn Fein Socialist Party The Workers' Party

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Ireland

Constitution: adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937

Voting: 18 yrs (includes drinking alcohol) Legal System: based on English common law substantially

modified by indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court

Member of European Union (elects MEP’s) Currency – Euro (formerly, the punt)

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Ireland

Economy Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. GDP growth averaged 6% in

1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply in 2008 and Ireland entered into a recession for the first time in more than a decade with the onset of the world financial crisis and subsequent severe slowdown in the property and construction markets.

Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Although the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, remains a key component of Ireland's economy, construction most recently fueled economic growth along with strong consumer spending and business investment.

Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2006 than in any other developed world economy. Per capita GDP also surged during Ireland's high-growth years, and in 2007 surpassed that of the United States. The Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, invest in infrastructure, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign investment.

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Ireland

Education System is similar to the UK, with many parochial schools One unique aspect of public education:

– Because the south of Ireland has no manufacturing base and few natural resources other than people, the government decided to capitalise on the resource: people.

– In the 1970’s and ‘80’s, technology was stressed throughout the Irish education system.

– In 1995, the government added even more resources with an initiative aimed at heading off potential skill shortages in the information technology sector.

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Ireland

Briefly Very close ties to the US Most population is along the east and south coasts Other economic regions are called BMW – the Borders, the Middle and the

West Not diverse at all Primary sports are football (soccer), Gaelic football, Hurling and rugby;

until recently, no “English” derived sports are played at Croake Park. However, with Landsdowne Road (stadium) being rebuild, this policy was temporarily rescinded.

Food is basic – meat and potatoes, but expanding Guinness is made in Dublin and it is rumoured that poteen is still distilled in

the rural areas. The Gaelic word for water (or water of life) is Ousike!

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British American Athlete ________ Banger ________ Boot (of a car) ________ Crisps ________ Ex-Directory ________ Fringe (hair) ________ Ginger-haired ________ Punter ________ Queue ________ Sleeping Policeman ________ Turn-ups ________ Zebra-crossing ________

Translating English to English

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British say Americans hear & say British Hear

Trousers Pants Underwear

Condom Rubber Eraser

Braces Suspenders Garter-belt

Waistcoat Vest Undershirt

Translating English to English

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Q & A

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