Evolution of British Parliamentarism: From Monarchy to Democracy
The Foundation of Modern British Parliamentarism
The Revolution found its formal expression in three pieces of legislation:
- The Bill of Rights (1689) summarizes the essential principles of the British constitution until the late nineteenth century. It defines the roles, rights, and privileges of Parliament and the rights of citizens, articulating the rule of law.
- The Triennial Act of 1694: The schedule for parliamentary meetings became triennial.
- The Act of Settlement (1701): Regulating the monarchy (leader of the Church of England) and the judiciary. It outlines the requirement of ministerial responsibility to Parliament.
In 1707, England and Scotland joined under the generic name of Britain with the first monarchs of the House of Hanover (George I and George II), creating the foundations of modern parliamentarism: the majority is required to form a government, headed by a prime minister, and the government, independent of the king, is accountable only to Parliament. The entry into force of the parliamentary system and consolidated institutions of British government began a phase (1832-1945) in which there was a gradual change, ranging from a suspicious real power aristocracy to a democracy founded on the House of Commons. In this period, the present Constitution of England was formed.
Electoral Reforms and the Rise of Democracy
The Representation of the People Act of 1832 attempted to address inequalities in the political arena through electoral changes, removing rotten boroughs (where vote buying was common). Throughout the nineteenth century, progressive electoral reforms aimed to make the system more inclusive, establishing a system of progressive direct public participation in government, until women’s suffrage in 1918 and universal suffrage in 1928 for those over 21 years of age. The House of Commons took on a central role in parliamentary life.
The British Empire and its Transformation
Throughout this process, an empire consolidated, becoming an indispensable element in ensuring English markets and sources of raw materials. Its settlement is undoubtedly the most significant aspect that involves the end of World War II. The traditions of self-government in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa were an example to follow in the colonies that gained independence and became integrated into the Commonwealth. Without having its own Constitution, they pursued a common policy based on sentimental ties (the Crown), political ties (imperial deliberations at conferences), and economic ties (trade and transport). The loss marked the final transformation of the Empire in 1947, into an association of sovereign states.
The Welfare State and Post-War Politics
The 1945 elections gave the victory to the Labour Party who, following the climate that prevailed in the continent, carried out reforms designed to establish a welfare state. During 1951 and 1964, the Conservative governments of Churchill, Eden, and Macmillan reinforced the consensus that Labour had achieved. During this period, the Labour Party suffered a division into a left wing who advocated more nationalization and the right wing revisionist with an orientation towards a mixed economy. The return of the Labour government between 1964 and 1974 with Harold Wilson was associated with left-leaning but that infected revisionist elements who sought to strengthen the economy and develop social services. The consensus that had dominated until then broke in 1970. Heath’s Conservative government took steps to consolidate a free market economy, reducing government intervention. Labour opposition to the impact and the radicalization of the unions trends shifted to more leftist positions, claiming a program of nationalization of major international companies británicas.
Thatcherism and Beyond
The economic crisis of the late seventies and the new direction marked by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party since 1979 has involved a waiver of the victories achieved by the welfare state. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the integration into the European Economic Community, British political life has been marked by dependence on the U.S. and imperial nostalgia.