Evolution of British Government and Politics

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British government and politics has evolved greatly throughout its formation and to its modern glory. The path taken by British rulers has paved the road for parliamentary democracy in Britain today. From the signing of the Magna Carta to the common law practiced in Great Britain today, British government is always evolving due to its people, leaders, and culture. The rational-legal authority practiced in Britain was created gradually through many important people and signing of documents. Several events in British politics and government has shaped the modern culture of Great Britain today (99). Beginning in 1066 when William the Conqueror defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, British government has been based on a need for taxing and a power balance between the nobility class and the monarchy. The nobility class supported William the Conqueror since he promised to consult them before taxing them; due to their support he was able to win the battle (106). About 200 years later, King John signed the Magna Carta enabling limited monarchy and the rise of power in the noble class. The noble class would now be able to control some policy-making and taxation as well as having the power to subject the monarch to the same punishments given to the people (99). However, this balance soon resulted in the Civil War in the 1640s when the noble class beheaded the monarch and battles broke out between the two power-hungry forces (100). The noble class supported the formation of Parliament; soon, the Parliament supporters won and Oliver Cromwell took over the country. The nobility class soon brought back the monarchy with Charles II with restricted powers by Parliament. Around 40 years later, in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, balance o... ... middle of paper ... ... II; Ireland was also conquered but was awarded home rule. Ireland, aside from the northern portion ruled Britain, was able to make their own laws and rule over themselves (111). In summation, British government has evolved from a primitive monarchy to a sophisticated parliamentary democracy in our modern world. Through several revolutions, reforms, signing of official documents, battles, and power imbalances, Britain has come to be one of the most powerful nations in our modern world (98). Their central idea of common law and rational-legal authority has been the rope that ties British history to the modern Britain (98). Its ideals have been the central theme to power and authority in the country throughout hundreds of years that have transitioned Britain into a powerful welfare state with strong aspects of rule, citizenship, noblesse oblige, and common law (98).

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