1、National Economy and citiesNational Economy and citiesUnit 4Economic System and StructureMining and Manufacturing IndustriesService Industry and AgricultureTransportation and CommunicationBritainBritainBritainBritainBritainCitiesUnit 4 National Economy and CitiesDirectionIn this unit,we begin with a
2、n overview of economic system and structure in Britain,and then look at its natural resources,industries and agricultures.Finally,we will have a brief glance at some big cities in Britain.Think and answer the following questions:How is the word democracy interpreted through British Party Politics?1.
3、Compared with written constitution,what are the superiorities of common law?2.1.1.1 IntroductionUnit 4 1.1 Economic System and StructureBritain is fortunate in having a stable political situation and well-developed economy.However,since 1945 it has had to respond to changes in the international envi
4、ronment and at the same time to adapt the impact of new technologies.Long-term economic growth in the UK has averaged around 2.5%a year.National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties Britain has a mixed economy i.e.an economy in which there is some_ ownership as well as _
5、 owned businesses,all of which operate within the context of well defined regulations and laws.public1.1 Economic System and StructureprivatelyNational Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and StructureThe British economy policy was characterized by t
6、he struggle over more nationalization or more privatization for several decades after World War II.The Labor government nationalized a number of big businesses and extended government control over banks soon after the Second World War.However,the Conservative government between 1979 and 1996 returne
7、d all these key public industries to private ownership.National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure Public SectorMost of the nationalized industries were basic industries and social services closely related to peoples daily needs,such a
8、s,_,_,_,and telecommunications,_,bus companies,_ and gas.coalminingelectricitypostrailwaysoilThose public sector accounts for more than 10 per cent of the gross domestic product.But many of them could only make a thin profit or could even run in red.National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit
9、 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure Private SectorThe private sector is composed of business owned and managed by people as private individuals,including _,_ and construction,_,and service industry.financialmanufacturingminingThose public sector accounts for more nearly 90 per
10、 cent of the gross domestic product.Those private organization varies in terms of ownership,from single Proprietor Business to the large public company.National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure Private Sectorpartnership-more than one
11、 owner-each puts some capital into business-each partner equally responsible for any debts-generally some family businesses are run as partnershipJoint-stock Companies-Owned by shareholders-Each shareholder has limited liability for any debts of the company.-Two main types of company:Private compani
12、es cannot sell shares to publicPublic companies shares are traded on the stock exchange,publish detailed information about its managementSingle Proprietorship-One owner-Capital raised by owner-Owner responsible for any debts-Mostly in farming&shop keepingNational Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed Econom
13、yUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure Nationalization or Privatization?Why Nationalize?The post-war Labor government promised more political control over the major public utilities so that their development could be guided in the public interest rather than simply for priva
14、te profit.Those industries which were nationalized had managing directors appointed by the government and,while they are left to run their own affairs on a day-to-day basis,they were accountable to the government concerning more long-term policy.Lessefficient?National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed E
15、conomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure Nationalization or Privatization?Why privatize?The conservative party of the 1980s regarded decreasing state involvement in the economy as a key component of their policies.This would enable private companies to compete in a free-m
16、arket environment.Prices should be determined by what people are willing to pay,rather than based purely on cost.that nationalized industries are economically inefficient,compared to companies operated under private commercial influences.The main argument used by the privatization isPrivatizationfai
17、rer?National Economy and Cities1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure The Role of the GovernmentDespite the different attitudes towards nationalization,government influence in the economy has grown during the twentieth century.Taxation.National Economy and
18、Cities1)Where does the government get its money from?1)Where does the government get its money from?Most of the governments revenue is raised through taxation,including direct taxation and indirect taxation.1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and StructureTaxation.Nat
19、ional Economy and Cities1)Where does the government get its money from?1)Where does the government get its money from?Government raised some money through the Stock Exchange,for example selling government bonds.Direct Taxation:Employees have tax deducted from their salary.Higher earners pay a higher
20、 percentage.(income tax)Indirect Taxation:The consumer pays the tax as part of the price of the goods or services they are buying.(value added tax)Stock Exchange1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and Structure welfare system,health program,education,defenseNational E
21、conomy and Cities2)How does the government spend its money?2)How does the government spend its money?The main areas of expenditure for 1999-2000 were:Social security:102 billion (29%of the total)health:61 billion (17%of the total)education:41 billion (12%of the total)defense:21 billion (6%of the tot
22、al)1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.1 Economic System and StructureNational Economy and Cities2)How does the government spend its money?2)How does the government spend its money?Government is a major employer,employing nearly a million people,including civil servants,military forces
23、,and people for various other reasons.Payment to employees3)How does the government adjust economic development?3)How does the government adjust economic development?Provides financial help to farmers so as to maintain stable prices of farm products.1.1.2 Mixed EconomyUnit 4 1.1 Political Parties 1.
24、1 Economic System and StructureNational Economy and Cities3)How does the government adjust economic development?3)How does the government adjust economic development?Increase or decrease taxes to adjust economic development.Use legal power to prevent an enterprise from operating against the public i
25、nterest,such as for environmental protection.Unit 3 1.1.3 Beliefs&Policies of the Major Parties Stress the importance of keeping valuable traditions,such as loyalty and obedience.Conservative Beliefs Left and Right in political spectrumLeftRightCenterLabourLiberalConservativeFascistCommunistPublic o
26、wnershipMixed EconomyAuthoritarian State free market economyPolitics and LawUnit 3 Economically,it stands for free enterprise and privatization of state-owned firms.The basic doctrine was based on socialism,the goal was to promote national and individual growth,not the uprising of one class by overt
27、hrowing another one.Attach more importance to efficiency and economic prosperity than the goal of economy.1.1.3 Beliefs&Policies of the Major Parties Conservative Beliefs Labour Party BeliefsPolitics and LawUnit 3 It advocates class cooperation so as to achieve social and economic equality.It is fir
28、mly committed to the state welfare system.It believe the need for central government planning so that market can develop soundly.1.1.3 Beliefs&Policies of the Major Parties Labour Party BeliefsPolitics and Law1.2 ElectionsUnit 3 The two major parties aim to gain the majority of the seats in the Hous
29、e of Commons so as to form its government.1.2.1 Basic Principles of Elections Goal of Election Distribution of VotesThe United Kingdom is divided into 659 electoral distributes,known as constituencies,of equal population.Each constituency is to elect one Member of Parliament.Requirement as a voterEv
30、ery man and woman aged 18 or over has the right to vote.Politics and Law1.2 ElectionsUnit 3 In Britain,the election is based on first-past-the-post system,which is also called relative majority system.In this system the candidate with the highest number of formal votes is elected.1.2.2 First-Past th
31、e-Post systemFor example:If there are 50000 voters in a constituency who vote as follows:ConservativeLabourLiberal20001700013000There will have been 30000 voters who did not vote for the conservative candidates,But the Conservative candidates will become the MP for the constituency.Politics and LawU
32、nit 3 voting is simple and easy to understand error in calculations is minimal election results are quickly calculated Advantages1.2.2 First-Past the-Post systemAdvantages and disadvantages of FPTP a majority government is likely to win,which may lead to more stable government.Politics and LawUnit 3
33、 the total number of votes gained by the winning party may be proportionally lower than the number of seats gained by that party.most candidates are not elected on absolute majorities therefore the majority of voters may not prefer the winning candidate.Disadvantages1.2.2 First-Past the-Post systemA
34、dvantages and disadvantages of FPTP large parties are likely to win far more votes and therefore seats than smaller parties or independent candidates Politics and Law1.2 ElectionsUnit 3 Canvassing:Activists go from house to house for the purpose of soliciting.1.2.3 How to win more votes Good campaig
35、n program to win general demands.Convincing and inspiring speech.Publicity on radio and television.The party leaders performance is of vital importancePolitics and Law1.2 ElectionsPolitics and LawUnit 3 Voters mark candidate on the ballot papers and put them into a big box.1.2.4 procedure of general
36、 electionBoxes are sent to a central point in the constituency.Votes are counted in the presence of representatives of all the candidates.If the party in power fails to win the majority,the Prime Minister concedes defeat and resign at once.The candidate who get most votes wins the election.Unit 3 1.
37、3.1 Composition of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law CourtsBritain is a modern democracy based on the rule of law,but there is no written constitution because its government rules are largely based on custom or conventions.British LawCommon LawActs of ParliamentEuropean Union LawPolitics and LawUnit 3
38、 1.3.1 Composition of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law CourtsCommon LawCommon law is the essential part of British legal system.It grew out of the rules and traditions that ordinary people had worked out over time.It is also known as judge-made law.Common law is also known as judge-made law.The judge
39、-made decisions in previous cases,known as precedents,were regarded as that law courts had to follow in dealing with similar cases.Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.1 Composition of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law CourtsEuropean Union LawAs a member state of the European Union,Britain has to obey the Europ
40、ean Union Law.Acts of ParliamentAs the legislative department,Parliament performs the function of producing laws.All acts passed by Parliament are considered as law in Britain.Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.2 Principles of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law Courts Everybody is subject to the law.Laws must
41、not be arbitrary,i.e.they should clearly specify what can and cannot be done.There is only one body of law.A law passed by parliament cannot be overruled by the judges.It can only be interpreted.The rights of the individual are to be respectedBasic Principles of English Law:The rule of law,natural l
42、aw are basic principles of English law.The Rule of Law Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.2 Principles of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law Courts There is a law higher than man-made law,that is the moral law.An immoral rule can never be made into a real law by being passed through a national legislature.Natu
43、ral Law While soldiers have to obey orders normally,they are expected to disobey any order which goes against accepted morality.The defense of I was only carrying out orders as Nazis asserted is not acceptable.For Example:Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.2 Principles of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law Cou
44、rts the provision for ensuring an accused person a fair and public trial.Law must be drawn so that reasonable persons can know when they are breaking the law.the right to be present at the trial the right to be heard in his or her own defense.Key Principles of English Law:Due process of law and the
45、writ of habeas corpus has been borrowed by almost all the modern countries.Due Process of LawPolitics and LawUnit 3 1.3.2 Principles of British Laws1.3 Justice and Law Courts A person is innocent until being proven guilty.So,the police must release the suspect arrested if a warrant cannot be obtaine
46、d.Habeas Corpus (You have the body)An arrested suspect is entitled to ask the police to notify a named person about the arrest.The police must caution the suspect before charging him.It serves as a protection against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.3 Structure of British
47、 Law Courts1.3 Justice and Law CourtsHOUSE OF LORDSCROWN COURTSHIGH COURTCOURT OF APPEALCOUNTY COURTSMAGISTRATES COURTSCriminal DivisionCivil DivisionPolitics and LawUnit 3 1.3.4 What is Jury Trial?1.3 Justice and Law Courts A person will be disqualified from a particular jury if he is known to the
48、accused or has any connection with the case.In the court,the jury cannot ask questions;the role of the jury is to listen impartially to the evidence from all sides.Britain is the first country to institute Jury Trial.The jury is composed of 12 members known as jurors.It represents the people and is
49、drawn from a cross-section of the public.It is the jury who decide whether an accused person is guilty or innocent.Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.4 What is Jury Trial?1.3 Justice and Law Courts reached a unanimous agreement of either guilty or not guilty consider their verdict in private Hung jury:When
50、unanimous agreement cannot be reached,new jury is called and new trial is called.in civil case,is very rare to have a jury.Politics and LawUnit 3 1.3.5 Sentencing1.3 Justice and Law Courts most severe punishment:life-imprisonment No death penalty since 1965 suspended sentence:the offender does not g
