With Donald Trump returning to office as the 47th President of the United States today, attention naturally turns to the historic and strategic “special relationship” between the UK and the US. Popularised by Winston Churchill in 1944, this term highlights the exceptionally close political, security, cultural, historical, and economic ties shared by the two nations.
Yet, despite their many similarities, including a shared language and commitment to democracy, the political systems of the UK and the US differ in profound ways, as I have shown here.
One of the most significant differences lies in the form of government. The UK is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, where the monarch serves as a ceremonial head of state. Real political power rests with Parliament, led by the Prime Minister, who acts as head of government.
In contrast, the US is a federal republic and presidential democracy. The President is both head of state and head of government, with power distributed between the federal and state governments.
The two countries also diverge in their approach to constitutional law. The US operates under a written constitution, a single codified document ratified in 1789, which explicitly defines the structure, powers, and limitations of government.
The UK, by contrast, relies on an unwritten constitution, a collection of statutes, conventions, legal judgments, and historical documents, such as the Magna Carta. This flexible framework allows for greater adaptability but lacks the rigidity and clarity of a codified system.
The UK, as a unitary state, centralizes power in Parliament, though some powers are devolved to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The US, on the other hand, operates under a federal system, sharing authority between the national government and individual states.
This federal system reflects the sheer scale and diversity of the US, with a population of 340 million, five times that of the UK, and a landmass roughly 40 times larger. Centralized governance on this scale would be impractical, making federalism a necessity.
Judicial authority is another key area of distinction. In the UK, the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, is independent but lacks the power to overturn parliamentary legislation, as Parliament is sovereign.
In the US, the judiciary wields significant influence through judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate laws or executive actions deemed unconstitutional.
The electoral processes of the two nations also differ. In the UK, general elections are held at least every five years using a first past-the-post system. The Prime Minister is not directly elected by the public but is the leader of the majority party in Parliament.
In the US, federal elections occur every two years, with presidential elections held every four years. Citizens vote directly for electors in the Electoral College, who then elect the President. Members of Congress are directly chosen by voters, ensuring a clear separation between legislative and executive powers.
Both nations have bicameral legislatures, (which means separated into two separate assemblies), but their compositions and powers vary.
In the UK, Parliament consists of the House of Commons, whose members are elected, and the House of Lords, an unelected chamber comprising life peers, bishops, and hereditary peers who provide legislative oversight.
In the US, Congress includes the House of Representatives, with members elected based on population, and the Senate, where each state elects two senators regardless of size. Unlike the UK Parliament, Congress operates independently of the executive branch.
While the UK and the US share a commitment to democracy and strong bilateral relations, their political systems reflect distinct historical contexts and governance philosophies. The UK’s parliamentary democracy emphasizes centralized authority and party discipline, whereas the USA’s presidential democracy prioritizes a separation of powers and federalism.
The world of media is rapidly evolving, and never before have so many had access to so much; the touch of a button can connect millions of people, places, things and ideas. While access to such a plethora of perspectives can be nourishing, engaging and educational, sometimes it’s simply overwhelming. Mixed messages, fake news and cat-fishing are just some of the drawbacks that come to mind, but a discerning eye and a critical approach can enable us to decipher the media muddle we’re confronted with.
Identifying the true source, author, or voice of the content is imperative. By knowing where content originates, we can understand more about its true intention and whether there is any possible bias. If the author is difficult to identify, this might signal the source is not reliable, whereas tracing names, references and further links (and even cross referencing these yourself) will help to ensure you know where the content comes from. You can then take a more objective view of its credibility.
The style of communication can tell us a lot about the nature of the content. Most media is looking for an audience, and grabbing attention is one key way to ensure views, likes, clicks, shares, or any kind of response. Take a critical perspective of language, imagery, music, or themes, which all will have been crafted to appeal to a particular audience. Clickbait is a classic example of using buzzwords and big headlines, or dramatic (and sometimes heavily edited) imagery, to evoke your interest, curiosity and fascination, even if there’s no substance behind it.
The motivation for particular messaging in particular styles is important. Even if the source is credible, and accurately presented, think carefully about the reason why the content was created and published. The subtext is implied by the content, rather than explicitly stated, and in this often lies the true meaning behind it. By identifying the subtext, we can interpret the message based on our own individual views and expectations, which are different for everybody.
The media outlet can say a lot about the content itself. Taking a view on the publishing platform is important, because it may only present particular viewpoints or perspectives which support an agenda. The most obvious example here is political – we, the public, understand that certain publications may be biased towards a particular political party, which will undoubtedly impact the content it publishes. Therefore, we must maintain a critical perspective when examining content from different sources.
While the media monster is persistently present in our lives, it is possible to prevent some of its more poisonous tentacles from reaching too far into our psyches. A simple checklist can remind us to take a little extra care when reading, watching, listening or scrolling, so that our fundamental truths remains strong.
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The term lobbying was derived from a time when members of the public would come to a Parliament’s lobby area to meet with MPs and advocate for government legislation changes. Today, the practice can be carried out by individuals, businesses and other interest groups to influence parliament and raise awareness of their cause.
Individuals or organisations can employ the services of professional lobbyists to influence politicians on their behalf; this can include proposing new legislation or making changes to existing laws. There are boundaries to this practice and lobbyists are forbidden from making financial contributions to influence a politicians’ vote.
Lobbying can help benefit society by allowing the sharing of ideas and expertise with politicians; this allows government bodies to make better informed legislative decisions. Agricultural lobbyists, for example, can advocate for additional funding to be made towards agricultural technologies needed for enhanced crop production.
The practice of lobbying can give minority groups and those that are marginalised a voice in order to advocate for their constitutional rights and acceptance in society. This helps to create a more balanced legislation that benefits all members of society.
Lobbying can also enhance innovation in government. New technologies such as block chain and AI are causing a large increase in lobbying as companies seek new supportive regulations for a rapidly changing world.
For all the positive aspects of lobbying, there are also downsides. It is also believed to be a cause of inequality. Rich and powerful businesses or groups can use their wealth to hire the strongest lobbyists, and this can lead to an imbalance as government policies become weighted in favour of higher class interests over smaller organisations or minority groups, leading to further economic divide.
Lobbying activities can also be carried out unethically. Care must be taken to ensure former politicians do not breach guidelines by using their connections for lobbying too soon after leaving office or that corruption does not place through bribery or underhand tactics. These practices can lead to legislation that does not serve the public majority and can create distrust in political confidence.
Lobbying is a powerful tool that can help benefit society and general individuals if done correctly. There must be sufficient guidelines in place to ensure that this practice is carried out ethically and transparently. The 2014 Transparency of Lobbying Act introduced by the British government is one such measure put in place to monitor lobbying activities.
Limits can be imposed on lobbyists, such as the amount of finances that can be used. Extra reviews for potential conflicts of interest and thorough investigations of breaches or anomalies can also ensure political parity and a just system.
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The transition from pre-election excitement to post-election politics has been a turbulent one. But where do we go from here? The deciding vote is unencumbered and the result is unfaltering: a pivotal change to the UK’s leadership. What starts as a concise mark in the ballot box, signalling an alignment to a specific idea, person or party, leads to the instigation of change, and how we navigate this is not quite so clear. Regardless of your political position, interpreting politics is where the hard work really begins, and not just for the newly elected government. While not everybody may need support in this endeavour, many (myself included) may find politics somewhat of a minefield; deciphering the important parts of political discourse can be downright difficult. With the Oxford English Dictionary depicting nine variations in meaning, is it any wonder we’re confused? Let’s take a closer look at the word itself.
The word Politics comes from Ancient Greek, meaning ‘affairs of the cities’. It originally had a rather broad definition, encompassing anything relating to the state, or considered social or public. Critics argue that such wide-ranging definitions are problematic, and result in such a dilution of the word that it ceases to retain any meaning. This certainly resonated with me; politics is everywhere and nowhere, everything and nothing, all at once. It surrounds us, yet there is a distinct lack of tangibility to it. Arendt (2005) suggests just this: there is no definitive nature or essence to politics, it emerges through interactions, individual actions and perspectives which are organised into collectives.
That being the case, politics is about potential. Ideas, discourse and actions alone cannot be considered ‘political’, but they all have the potential to be, depending on circumstances, perceptions and intentions. Other arguably ‘defining’ features are linked to that considered ‘public’, ‘social’, and related to ‘governing’, which on the one hand helps to identify what could be considered political, but on the other, exacerbates the issue by introducing additional broad terms which offer unsubstantial grounds for pinning down politics. However, political science is dedicated to solving this problem. In Harold D Lasswell’s 1936 publication, he embraces the wide definition and critically discusses what makes politics. Fundamentally, Politics: Who gets What, When, How? demonstrates that politics is any interaction among individuals, groups or institutions attempting to make a collective choice or solve a collective problem. Such interactions typically involve governments, which is why political science examines them closely.
However, this is still relatively broad in terms of defining politics, but perhaps that is its quintessential element. In fact, would we, the general public, really benefit from knowing the intricacies of political parties, their ideologies and their frameworks? We may be more informed on an academic level, but Laswell’s terminology, who, when and how, is somewhat poetically simplistic, and perhaps this is how we should think about it. You need not be a political scientist to take a view on your government, and how it decides who gets what, when and how. Rather, it’s our values, beliefs and opinions on our governments’ choices which make people so fundamental to politics.
References
Mansfield, Harvey. 2007. How to Understand Politics by Harvey Mansfield
Population dynamics sits in the area of ecology and is the study of population characteristics such as population size, birth rate, immigration movements and age ranges, while looking at the factors that influence these hallmarks. Its study is vital to understanding the delicate balance of ecosystems, the preservation of biodiversity and the impact of human activities. It has also helped us to map the effects that historic events have had on the genetic diversity with human populations.
Populations are subjected to a number of biological and environmental factors that affect their demographics. Within natural ecosystems, predators and diseases would help control a population to ensure its size doesn’t become too large. Access to resources and a suitable habitat can influence a population, where changes in conditions such as temperature, deforestation or rainfall can force populations to migrate or decline in size.
The genetic variation within a population determines its adaptability and resistance to external threats. Those populations which are isolated and small are more susceptible to interbreeding.
When a population level declines so much that it leads to a decrease in genetic diversity, this is known as a bottleneck in population dynamics. This can happen due to natural disasters or epidemics and can have an impact on a population’s chances for survival. This may have been the case in the human African and Eurasion fossil record, thought to have happened due to climate changes such as draught or glaciation. It was estimated that 65.85% of current genetic data may have been lost from our human ancestors.
A bottleneck event also occurred in the Cheetah population, who faced an extinction event around 10,000 years ago. In recent times, their population has again declined due to human activities and their very survival is threatened due to their genetic inability to adapt to new environments from inbreeding. This is known as the Allee Effect.
Demographic transition focuses on the specific area of population death rate and birth rate within humans, and how a country’s population growth rate cycles through stages as it becomes economically developed. Before industrialisation, both death rates and birth rates remain high and the population size stays constant. As access to better medicine helps to reduce death rates, the population size begins to boom, a trend seen in many lower developed countries. An improvement in economic conditions and access to contraception in developing countries causes birth rates to decrease and population growth to slow down. Once a country has become developed, stronger economies, better healthcare and education lead to a slowdown in both death and birth rates, causing a stabilisation in the population. Thomas Malthius, famous for his theories on population growth, would argue that this stage would not be the final cycle, and that populations would eventually decline due to an ageing demographic and the exhaustion of resources from over consumption.
Understanding the mechanisms behind how populations are affected by biological and environmental changes can help us with conservation efforts, agricultural production, public health, urban planning and the mitigation of negative impacts of human activity on our environment.
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As a result of enormous recent technological advances, we are now living in what’s known as the fourth industrial revolution – a period of digital transformation that’s affecting the way we live and radically disrupting the business sector.
Technology such as the Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are becoming the norm across most modern organisations and influencing everything from manufacturing to communications and job roles. One area where these changes are prevalent is the marketing industry.
The field of marketing is highly varied and covers areas such as creativity and design, data analysis and interpretation, content creation and an understanding of human behaviour and psychology. The first areas impacted by AI were based on fundamental or repetitive tasks, such as data reporting. As AI evolved, so did its abilities to tackle complex challenges, especially those within the fields of creativity, predictive analysis and behaviour recognition.
AI has helped to automate many functions within marketing, freeing up valuable time and resources for creativity and strategy. AI’s ability to rapidly process large volumes of data, generate reports and provide insights into future trends and behaviours has enabled marketers to make better informed decisions and personalise content towards customers preferences.
Automated content and image creation are now becoming mainstream in marketing, social media, email and advertising campaigns. Websites and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) are also benefiting from AI insights to help determine what content and search terms resonate best with potential customers.
The advancement of AI is rapid. Government laws and policies are rapidly changing to keep up to date with this pace of change. While it is clear AI provides enormous benefits to marketers, it is also clear that its higher end capabilities remain quite limited.
AI is based on machine learning and relies on historic data in its decision making. It is highly intelligent at making rapidly informed decisions but cannot take a holistic approach to its work or provide real-time insights. In essence, it cannot currently be truly creative.
Google, which ranks websites in search engines based on their ‘helpfulness’ to users, will eventually catch-up to AI-written content and then demand content be more unique, informative and personable to be ranked highly. Additionally, it is worth considering that sudden changes such as the disruption from COVID-19 could not have been predicted by AI and required the creative and objective decision making of humans to navigate.
AI has streamlined working practices, created new job opportunities and enhanced job capabilities. It is unlikely to replace roles but complement and evolve them. As technology advances, so must the skills and capabilities of marketers to meet this evolving landscape.
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When we think of future cities, we might picture flying vehicles or space-age architecture, but how will they cope with the growing trend in urbanisation? According to current predictions, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. As demand for city living continues, so does the need to create better living conditions and more sustainable environments.
The growing trend in urbanisation has led to a number of challenges, with population growth and migration leading to overcrowding and an increased strain on current resources and infrastructure. Services we take for granted, such as waste disposal or recycling, can often be outdated or ill-equipped to deal with this increased demand.
As the trend for city living increases, so does the cost of housing, potentially leading to an affordability crisis for lower-income residents and a rise in income inequality and crime levels. Urban areas are also a cause for many health concerns. Increasing levels of car ownership and insufficient public transport can lead to high levels of congestion; together with urban construction and industrial activities, this can lead to an increase in air pollution levels. High population densities also encourage the spread of disease and there are growing concerns for the decline in mental health of urban residents compared to those living in rural areas.
Cities are constantly evolving to adapt to challenges like these in an effort to improve the living conditions for their residents. It is highly likely that cities of the future will continue to evolve with the aid of biomimicry, a design approach that takes inspiration from natural elements to develop more sustainable and resilient urban environments. Singapore (pictured) is a great example of how creating green spaces in its urban architecture allows opportunities for sustainability, biodiversity and mental wellbeing, while helping to counter the urban heat island effect.
Cities will become smarter with advancements in technology. The Internet of Things and artificial intelligence will increase the level of automation and optimise services like transportation, energy usage and waste management. As the popularity of autonomous vehicles grows, cities may see a shift away from privately owned vehicles that will help decrease pollution levels, congestion and traffic accidents.
Current urban space constraints may be resolved through vertical expansion, taking advantage of the space high above the ground within cities. Vertical farming techniques will most likely be used to maximise crop yields from a limited land area; this will allow food to be grown near to urban environments and reduce the need for long haul transportation.
From the advancements we can see today to the challenges we have yet to overcome, it’s clear that our cities of the future will have a continued focus on sustainability and resilience. Developing practices such as an urban circular economy will help ensure the preservation of our planet’s resources and address current climate change issues while an enhancement of the quality of life for its residents will improve levels of health and wellbeing. It is therefore vital that governments, businesses and city residents work together in a collaborative effort to help bring about these important changes.
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Perfectionism is not, in and of itself, a negative trait. Perfectionists are often conscientious high achievers; our greatest weakness is also our greatest strength. But those trying to be constantly perfect can find that every task feels like an unconquerable burden and every essay a path to failure, however unlikely our friends and family might find our doom-laden predictions. Here are three thoughts to use to beat the unrealistic idealism that may currently be beating you.
What is perfect, anyway? Maybe you could decide. Perhaps perfection could simply mean sitting down at your messy desk, ignoring the clothes on the floor, and spending 10 minutes planning the first half of your essay. In this deeply imperfect and challenging world, if you were to be reasonable with yourself, your definition of perfect should, and could, be different. Redefine perfection: make it doable and make it your own.
A to-do list is a depressing sight, if, at every item, we are telling ourselves that we ‘have to’ or ‘must’ do this or that. But turn ‘have to’ into ‘get to’ and suddenly life seems more joyful. Perhaps it is an irritating piece of advice, an unwelcome call to simply have more gratitude, but studying is essentially an overwhelmingly positive thing. You are learning and growing, and you have access to great materials and educated teachers; you are lucky. And so, even if it feels at first like you are lying to yourself, tell yourself, next time you inspect your to-do list: “I get to plan my essay today”.
We will do it, but we are waiting for the perfect time when we are in the mood. Because we know we can do it well, and not just well but REALLY well. And so that is the aim. This isn’t laziness, for the fear is real: we cannot bear to submit anything less than our best; we cannot tolerate failure; and we want to be proud of what we have achieved. We have visualised (or we think we have) the perfect essay or assignment. But the truth is that you have a deadline. Perhaps you could achieve perfection if you had eternity to complete it. But you don’t. Most tasks have a timeline, whether it is 6 years to complete a part-time PhD, or one night to finish an essay. And the test is not what you can achieve, but what you can achieve in the time you have to complete it. The definition of perfect might simply be this: finished.
Democracy, the cornerstone of modern governance, faces unprecedented challenges in what we are coming to call the post-truth era. As a spread of misinformation, disinformation, and polarisation intensifies, so the foundations of democratic systems are tested. However, amidst these challenges, there are also opportunities to reinforce democratic values, promote critical thinking, and strengthen the relationship between citizens and institutions.
The advent of social media and digital platforms has facilitated a rapid dissemination of false information, leading to a crisis of trust and undermining of the democratic process. Misinformation and disinformation campaigns manipulate public opinion, erode confidence in institutions, and sow division among citizens. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach involving media literacy programs, fact-checking initiatives, and responsible journalism to counter the spread of false narratives.
The post-truth era has fuelled polarisation, with individuals increasingly retreating into echo chambers that reinforce only their existing beliefs and biases. This fragmentation of society undermines the democratic ideal of open and constructive dialogue. To counteract this, it is essential to foster spaces for respectful discourse, promote empathy, and encourage citizens to engage with diverse perspectives. Platforms that encourage civil discussions and bridge ideological divides can play a vital role in revitalising democratic participation.
The erosion of trust currently eating into our democratic institutions poses a significant challenge. When citizens lose faith in their governments, they may disengage from the political process or resort to extreme ideologies. Building and maintaining trust requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to addressing their concerns. Strengthening mechanisms for citizen participation, such as community dialogues and participatory decision-making processes, can foster greater trust and legitimacy in democratic systems.
Today, media integrity and responsibility are also more paramount than ever. Journalistic standards, fact-checking practices, and editorial accountability all play a critical role in countering the spread of misinformation. Media organisations need to prioritise accuracy, provide context, and emphasise responsible reporting. Collaborations between media outlets, fact-checking organisations, and social media platforms can help to curb the influence of false information and ensure that accurate and reliable sources are readily accessible to citizens.
Educating citizens in critical thinking and digital literacy is essential to navigate the complexities of the post-truth era. Teaching people to discern reliable sources, evaluate information critically, and separate fact from fiction empowers them to make informed decisions and actively engage in democratic processes. Integrating media literacy and critical thinking into the educational curriculum will equip future generations with the tools necessary to navigate the information landscape responsibly.
The challenges posed by this post-truth era demand a concerted effort to safeguard democratic values. While the proliferation of misinformation, polarisation, and dwindling trust in institutions does present significant obstacles, there are also opportunities for positive change. By promoting media integrity, strengthening citizen participation, fostering critical thinking, and leveraging digital platforms responsibly, societies can navigate the complexities of our trying times and reinforce democratic principles. Ensuring the transparency, accountability, and resilience of democratic institutions is crucial to building trust, promoting inclusive dialogue, and upholding the fundamental tenets of democracy in an ever-evolving information landscape.
The risk of a global recession in 2023 has risen, according to a recent report by the World Bank. This development could have significant long-term implications for the global economy and society. In this article, we will explore how the possibility of a recession could contribute to the legacy of the current financial crisis around the world.
One of the most immediate effects of a potential recession, as we have seen, is a decline in living standards and a loss of jobs, particularly in countries that are most vulnerable to economic shocks. This exacerbates the high levels of inequality that still exist in many countries and further widens the gap between the rich and the poor. Moreover, a recession can also trigger a rise in populism and nationalism, leading to greater protectionism and inward-looking policies. Again, this is something that has been happening across the world, even before now.
The banking sector is also significantly affected by a potential recession, particularly if it is caused by a financial crisis. The regulatory measures put in place after the 2008 financial crisis may have helped to make the banking sector more resilient, but the current crisis still puts pressure on financial institutions and destabilises the global financial system. It has already led to renewed calls for stronger regulations and greater international coordination, whilst loss of trust in financial institutions is repeated.
Finally, recession has implications for international relations and cooperation. If countries become more inward-looking and protectionist in response to a recession, it can lead to a further erosion of the post-World War II order of cooperation and free trade. It makes it more difficult to address global economic challenges, such as climate change, and undermines efforts to build a more equitable and stable global financial system.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the global economy. The pandemic caused a global economic downturn, which has led to widespread job losses and a decline in economic activity. Governments around the world have implemented various measures to try to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, including stimulus packages and support for businesses and workers. However, the pandemic has also highlighted and exacerbated existing inequalities, with low-income and marginalized communities being disproportionately affected. The long-term effects of the pandemic on the global economy are still uncertain, but it is clear that it will have far-reaching implications for years to come.
In conclusion, the possibility of a global recession in 2023 highlights the continued fragility of the global economy, even over a decade after the financial crisis of 2008. While the long-term implications of a potential recession are difficult to predict, it is clear that one will have significant and far-reaching effects on the global economy, society, and international relations. As we move forward, it is important to remain vigilant and to continue working towards building a more stable, equitable, and cooperative global financial system that can withstand future economic shocks.