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The UK, by contrast, relies on an unwritten constitution, a collection of statutes, conventions, legal judgments, and historical documents, such as the Magna Carta.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 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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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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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.
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.
Whatever subject you are studying or qualification you are studying for, contact with your teacher or tutor – even when remote – is an invaluable part of that process. They are usually the subject experts, have a full understanding of the assessment process and have, more often than not, supported many other students who felt exactly the same as you do now about their learning. Whether you are confident in your subject knowledge and looking for ways to stretch yourself in order to achieve the very best results or are still a little uncertain and unsure how you might secure the grade you need, your tutors can provide you with the support you require. Here are a few simple strategies every student should try in order to boost the benefits of the contact they have.
Put simply, meet their expectations! If they provide a task, complete it. If they set a deadline, meet it. If you have a meeting, be there. Programmes of study and assessment schedules are in place to meet the needs of everyone; ensuring that there is adequate time for covering all of the content, assessing progress and providing feedback. A tutor works with many students and if you don’t adhere to the plan then you are unlikely to get the time you deserve. If there is a problem with the schedule set out for you, talk to your tutor in advance so that they can make any amendment they possibly can in order to make sure that everyone’s needs are met. If a tutor sees you are committed to your learning and doing what is required they are likely to go above and beyond in the ways in which they support you.
As already mentioned, the tutor is the subject expert. They have the knowledge of the subject but also the ways it is assessed and how to ensure you can demonstrate it when required to do so. Listen to their advice. Take notes where required. Follow their suggestions. However, if there is something you are unsure about, don’t be afraid to ask! Questioning is key to developing a deeper understanding and mastery of a subject but is also a great tool in ensuring there have been no miscommunications or misunderstandings. Your tutor will respect your ability to really engage with the content you are covering together and look for ways to address your questions in more detail.
Receiving feedback is one of the most important parts of the learning journey. However, many of us find getting feedback something that is really, really hard! Instead of thinking about what is said by your tutor as being ‘good’ or ‘bad’, try to consider what you can learn from it instead. If you are given praise for a certain aspect of your work, think about what you did that made this so effective. If there are comments relating to something that hasn’t worked out so well then think about what you might do differently next time. Reflection is key to making progress. Also, apply the same thought process when it comes to your attitude to learning. If a tutor comments on this, avoid taking it personally and think of how you might use what they have said to become a more effective learner.
Don’t forget that any contact that you have with your tutor is designed to benefit YOU. If you are in need of something specific from that contact then, again, do not be afraid to ask! In reality, this involves planning and preparing for any contact you have before you have it. Make a note of any questions you have when studying independently. If you need to revisit any material with them, ask in advance. If you have found a subject area particularly easy or hard, let them know. Remember, your tutor will be looking to support you in a way that is personalised to meet your needs too, so the more effectively you’re able to communicate these, the better they will be able to do this.
What does democracy mean to you? Perhaps it is something that only happens when you vote. Or maybe it’s something to strive for; a culture where all voices count toward change, championing transparency and equality. It’s a much-used word, but where did it derive from and what does it mean for society at large?
Literally translated, the word democracy comes from the Greek words ‘demos’, meaning people, and ‘kratos’ meaning power, so democracy can be thought of as ‘power of the people’. It is also sometimes referred to as ‘rule of the majority’. The first known democracy in the world was in Athens, Greece, where Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century B.C.E. In the year 507 B.C., the Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, meaning “rule by the people”.
Democracy, then, is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament. However, the Greek idea of democracy differed from that which we have now, given that in Athens all adult citizens were required to take an active part in the government.
In present day, there are four main types of democracies. These are:
Direct – sometimes called “pure democracy”, this is a form of democracy where the people decide on policy initiatives. Voters are able to directly impact specific issues and policies, rather than voting to give a representative or party the mandate to decide upon them.
Representative – founded on the principle of elected persons representing a group of people, such as in the UK. This is the most commonly found democracy in the world today.
Constitutional – the authority of the majority is limited by legal and institutional means so that the rights of individuals and minorities are respected.
Monitory – a phase of democracy characterised by instruments of public monitoring and scrutinising of government power.
A report in 2020 highlighted that across the previous year almost 70% of countries had recorded a decline in their overall democratic rating score, as covered by The Economist Intelligence Democracy Rating Index; this was largely due to country after country locking down to protect lives from Covid-19. Globally, the average score fell to its lowest level since the index was initiated in 2006.
A 2020 YouGov survey showed that three-quarters of Britons (75%) describe the UK as a democratic country, yet six in ten (60%) complain that they cannot freely say what they think, and a third (34%) feel they have absolutely no say when it comes to how things are run.
In 2020, the top three most democratic nations were an all Nordic trio of Norway, Iceland and Sweden. According to the Sustainable Governance Indicators project which rates the quality of democracy, Norway also falls into the top group worldwide (rank 3) . Interestingly, the two other Nordic nations of Denmark and Finland also rank in the top 10. The UK is currently 16th.
The trade war between two of the world’s leading superpowers, America and China, began in July 2018 and has only been growing ever since. But how and why did it start? And what is to become of it?
The basis for the US-China trade war has its roots in the economical production of the countries. As one of the largest economies in the world, China’s foreign trade increased rapidly after its ascension into the World Trade Organisation in 2001. The US and China’s bilateral trades totalled a staggering US $559 billion in 2019. However, much of this trade was uneven. The US has a large trade deficit with China, and the US trade shortfall rose to US$375.6 billion in 2017 from US$103.1 billion in 2002.
The US and China also imposed trade tariffs on each other, which means that buyers from the other country would pay a higher import tax to bring their purchases into the country. The trade war started when then-president Donald Trump declared that his goal was to reduce the trade deficit with China due to its unfair trade practices, lack of market access for American companies and uneven playing field caused by Beijing’s policies. On the other hand, China believes that the US is trying to suppress its rise as the world’s economic number one.
The four years of President Trump’s rule saw the US-China tensions rise to an unsustainable level, with multiple US sanctions imposed on Chinese companies. Since President Joe Biden’s election in January 2021, the tensions have only grown. President Biden’s administration recently increased its sanctions against China in response to the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, notably issuing a warning on July 16 about the “Risks and Considerations for Businesses Operating in Hong Kong” and imposing sanctions on seven deputy directors of the central government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong. The Biden administration also banned the import of technological materials such as polysilicon from Chinese technology companies due to the latter’s alleged use of force in the Uighur region in Xinjiang.
To this day, the US-China trade war continues in full swing amid growing conflicts. However, if there is anything positive to be highlighted, it should be said that neither country wants to cut their economical ties completely. Whilst that is the case, there may be a chance that things, eventually, will improve.
With housing prices becoming increasing high and millennials being priced out of the property market, a lot of commentators have noted that we are heading towards a new way of working in order to generate multiple income streams- the gig economy. But what exactly does this phrase mean? What are the implications of this new mode of work?
According to the BBC, the “gig economy” is a phrase that is often used to describe a labour market “characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work, as opposed to permanent jobs”. In this sense, it is a new form of work whereby people take on multiple jobs in order to earn a stream of income that is sustainable but flexible at the same time. On one hand, this has it’s advantages. It allows workers to be more versatile and flexible in terms of their field of work, working hours and workload. Many contracts under the gig economy offers the workers more independence and scope to complete the work in ways they see fit. Workers are also able to charge hourly rates that they set themselves, meaning that they are able to control their working hours and get paid for any overtime work. It is estimated that in the UK, over 5 million workers engage in the gig economy in order to sustain a living.
On the other hand, critics of the gig economy note that it can be a form of exploitation with very low amounts of worker protection. Workers are essentially unprotected from demanding employers and do not receive benefits such as pensions, a stable wage and healthcare support. Some critics have compared the nature of jobs under the gig economy to zero-hour contracts where employers have no obligations to provide payment for minimum working hours, which undermines an employee’s job security. Additionally, this type of economy can cause workers to suffer from burnout as many individuals take on multiple (and often stressful) jobs at once.
With a new way of working comes along myriad opportunities and challenges. Regardless of the pros and cons of the gig economy, it seems that it is here to stay and will become an integral part of many millennials’ lives.
Cryptocurrencies are the latest trend in Millennial investing. We have all seen Elon Musk’s active twitter account and the comments from institutional investors that “bitcoin is the digital gold” of this generation. However, what exactly are cryptocurrencies? What do they do? For beginners out there, here is a quick summary of what this new asset class is all about.
Cryptocurrencies are essentially digital or virtual currencies that are secured by cryptography, which makes it impossible for transactions to be forged or counterfeited. Many cryptocurrencies are based on decentralised networks created from blockchain technology. Blockchain technology is created by codes that distribute copies of a digital “ledger” to every single computer that is connected on the network. All of the networks verify transactions that pass through the blockchain.
There are several reasons. First, they are decentralised and not controlled by any bank or government. This makes them immune to government manipulation. Secondly, anyone can send money to another person without worrying about their identity being revealed. These transfers are secured by private keys and are sent directly to wallets which are anonymous, making cryptocurrencies even more attractive to people who want to preserve their online identities during transactions.
The decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies means that it faces several criticisms. Some people argue that the system can be used for money laundering or other illegal activities as criminals can transfer large amounts of money to anonymous wallets for storage. Others have argued that the high transaction fees and slow speeds of some cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum make them virtually unusable and scalable for everyday life.
Regardless, it is undeniable that cryptocurrencies are increasingly popular amongst investors and citizens around the world who see potential for this innovative technology to change the world, hedging against inflation and facilitating the exchange of money outside the influence of central banks and governments.