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Państwo i społeczeństwo

Struktura państwa, urzędy, organizacje międzynarodowe, problemy i konflikty wewnętrzne i międzynarodowe, polityka społeczna, partie i politycy, gospodarka

Ćwiczenie 1.

Przeczytaj teksty. Wykorzystując zawarte w nich słownictwo, odpowiedz na pytania.

Country profile: United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has a long history as a major player in international affairs and fulfils an important role in the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The economy - one of the largest in the world - is no longer manufacturing but services-based, with e-eommerce of growing significance. The City of London is a global financial centre.

Many of the country's people have never been richer, but a recent international study says the UK has the second highest child poverty rate in the European Union.

The country has not yet adopted the euro currency and the debate continues over when, and indeed whether, it will do so. The government has said that a series of eco­nomic criteria must be met before a referendum on the issue is held.

After decades of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, the Good Friday agre­ement of 1998 brought hope of a lasting peace. While there has been progress, there are continuing arguments over arms decommissioning* and supposed paramilitary activity. Tension between the unionist and nationalist communities still exists.

In recent years the United Kingdom has made significant moves on devolution* of powers to Scotland and Wales as well. The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff opened in 1999, and the possibility of devo­lution for the English regions has also been discussed.

The United Kingdom is home to a multicultural population, partly as the legacy of empire. There are more Asian restaurants in many towns than there are burger bars and a former government minister has described a popular variety of curry as 'Britain's true national dish'.

• Population: 59.2 million (UN, 2003)

• Capital: London

• Area: 242,514 sq km (93,638 sq miles)

• Major language: English

• Major religion: Christianity

• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)

• Monetary unit: 1 pound sterling = 100 pence

• Main exports: Manufactured goods, chemicals, foodstuffs

• GNI per capita: US $25,510 (World Bank, 2002)

• Internet domain: .uk

• International dialling code: +44

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II

""decommission - take to pieces (przenosić do demobilu)

""devolution - the transfer of power from e.g. central to local goverment (przekazanie władzy)

Head or state Queen Elizabeth II Prime minister Tony Blair

Tony Blair became prime minister in May 1997 when he led the Labour Party back into government after 18 years in opposition. Mr Blair defines his politics as 'the third way'. His social democracy recognises that free-market capitalism has virtues, but he says that it also emphasises the role of the state in developing social justice and equality.

Mr Blair has been a supporter of the US-led campaign against international terrorism. Following 11 September, British forces were involved in operations in Afghanistan. In the end, Mr Blair's government joined that of the USA in military action against Iraq without UN approval. As efforts to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein failed to discover any, there was controversy in the UK about the government's decision to go to war.

The 2001 general election campaign showed that the English think that there is not enough government investment in health care and education. Government action in these areas is likely to be a key issue at the next election.

• Chancellor of the Exchequer: Gordon Brown

• Foreign Secretary: Jack Straw

• Home Secretary: David Blunkett

• Defence Secretary: Geoff Hoon

Pytanie do dyskusji

All countries face some national and international problems. What problems are mentioned in the text? To what extent are they similar to or different from the problems that Poland has to deal with?

""Mace - a decorated rod, a symbol of authority (buława)

*Despatch Box - the box on a table in the House of Commons which important politicians stand next to when they are making speeches (mównica)

House of Commons

The House of Commons is the most important political institution in Britain. Although it is technically the lower House of Parliament (the House of Lords is the upper), the Commons is where the government sits and where the peoples' representatives fight on the political battlefield. The term 'House of Commons' is also used to describe the building where the Commons meet. In fact, the Palace of Westminster, as it is officially called, is the magnificent 19th-century building on the north bank of the River Thames where both Houses of Parliament - Commons and Lords - hold their sessions. Within this building are two Chambers - one for each House.

The centre of political life

The House of Commons Chamber is where elected Members of Parliament sit during debates. It has been the stage of many a political performance, and the scene of many political battles. At the centre of the Chamber is the Commons table on which the Mace* and the Despatch Box* sit. The Commons Chamber is not large enough for the current number of MPs - there are only 427 green leather seats for 659 MPs.

A government must have the support of a majority in the Commons and it is to the House of Commons that government ministers must explain and justify their actions. MPs have special privileges in the House, but they are also governed by special rules.

28th October 1999

BBC political correspondent Jon Devitt reported on the end of the House of Lords, Britain's Upper Chamber. Hundreds of hereditary peers lost the right to sit and vote in Parliament following a historic vote to end the 700-year-old hereditary system.

Britain's House of Lords has been most part, accepted that their time is

described as the best club in up. Few these days will defend the

London and for many of the principle of having power by virtue

hereditary members who rarely of birthright. The Government

attend debates, that's just what it hasn't yet concluded which system it

is. A friendly place with good bars considers to be better. But, in the

and restaurants and free car- meantime, it has decided to take

parking in the centre of the capital away the powers of all but ninety-two

city. The hereditaries have, for the of the hereditary members.

European Union

The European Union is the framework for economic and political co-operation

between 15 European countries. It began as a post-war initiative between six coun­tries pooling control over coal and steel to guarantee a more peaceful future for Europe. But it now manages co-operation on issues as wide-ranging as the environ­ment, transport and employment, and wields increasing influence in defence and foreign policy.

It has five declared objectives:

• To promote economic and social progress

• To assert the identity of the EU on the international scene

• To introduce European citizenship

• To develop an area of freedom, security and justice

• To maintain and build on established EU law

Ten new states joined the EU on 1 May making it a club of 25 - a long way from its beginnings as a six-nation group more than 50 years ago. The EU is now the world's largest trading bloc, in terms of population, with 74 million new citizens taking the total to 455 million. Its centre of gravity has shifted eastward, as its surface area has increased by a quarter, giving it a long border with the former USSR. The new member states are poorer than the old ones, with a combined GDP (Gross Do­mestic Product) of less than 5% of the EU 15, but their economies are growing fast.

Pytania do dyskusji

1. Is tradition important for the functioning of the state in your opinion? Why? Why not?

2. How can Poland benefit from membership in the European Union in your opinion?

Reform to the Lords

28th October 1999

BBC political correspondent Jon Devitt reported on the end of the House of
Lords, Britain's Upper Chamber. Hundreds of hereditary peers lost the right to
sit and vote in Parliament following a historic vote to end the 700-year-old
hereditary system.

Britain's House of Lords has been most part, accepted that their time is

described as the best club in up. Few these days will defend the

London and for many of the principle of having power by virtue

hereditary members who rarely of birthright. The Government

attend debates, that's just what it hasn't yet concluded which system it

is. A friendly place with good bars considers to be better. But, in the

and restaurants and free car- meantime, it has decided to take

parking in the centre of the capital away the powers of all but ninety-two

city. The hereditaries have, for the of the hereditary members.

European Union

The European Union is the framework for economic and political co-operation

between 15 European countries. It began as a post-war initiative between six coun­tries pooling control over coal and steel to guarantee a more peaceful future for Europe. But it now manages co-operation on issues as wide-ranging as the environ­ment, transport and employment, and wields increasing influence in defence and foreign policy.

It has five declared objectives:

• To promote economic and social progress

• To assert the identity of the EU on the international scene

• To introduce European citizenship

• To develop an area of freedom, security and justice

• To maintain and build on established EU law

Ten new states joined the EU on 1 May making it a club of 25 - a long way from its beginnings as a six-nation group more than 50 years ago. The EU is now the world's largest trading bloc, in terms of population, with 74 million new citizens taking the total to 455 million. Its centre of gravity has shifted eastward, as its surface area has increased by a quarter, giving it a long border with the former USSR. The new member states are poorer than the old ones, with a combined GDP (Gross Do­mestic Product) of less than 5% of the EU 15, but their economies are growing fast.

Pytania do dyskusji

1. Is tradition important forthe functioning of the state in your opinion? Why? Why not?

2. How can Poland benefit from membership in the European Union in your opinion?

Przestępczość, polityka społeczna

Ćwiczenie 2.

Przeczytaj teksty. Wykorzystując zawarte w nich słownictwo, odpowiedz na pytania.

*old lag - criminal who commits a crime after they have been released from prison (recydywa)

Prison shortcomings

falling young offenders and the responsibility of

a director of young prisoners, the

report said.
Young offenders are being turned A quarter of all criminal
into 'old lags'* by conditions in offences in Britain are committed
prisons according to the latest report by young people under 16. The
by the Prison Reform Trust. Lack of Juvenile Courts decide whether they
adequate rehabilitation led to nearly should be taken into a community
three-quarters of them re-offending home, do community service (i.e.
within two years of release, says help the elderly or disabled people,
a new report. The trust did not find build a climbing frame in a play-
it surprising that young male adult ground) or serve time in prison.
offenders were so frequently This last solution seems to be most
re-convicted within two years of ineffective in the light of the report,
release. Young offenders should be
kept separate from older inmates

TROUBLED CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE

Abused children will be among the vulnerable youngsters to benefit from a new £400,000 foster care project aimed at improving their lives.

Treatment Foster Care is designed to help troubled young people - aged 10 to 16 - in Reading, Berkshire, cope with life's challenges. Those with serious behav­iour problems and a history of criminal or anti-social activity will also be supported. The scheme will place children with specially-trained foster carers. Pete Ruhemann, lead councillor for the children's services, said: "It will need a lot of work to put it together, and a huge commitment from the foster carers who agree to take part in it, but it could make all the difference for some young people." A team of professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and education specialists, will provide support for both the carers and the youngsters.

Pytania do dyskusji

1. How important is it for the state to introduce good rehabilitation programmes for young offenders? Justify your opinion.

2. Most western countries have minimized the numbers of children's homes and increased foster care instead. In what way may foster care be better at helping the children who cannot be brought up in their own family? Give reasons foryour opinion.

Polityka społeczna

Ćwiczenie 3.

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What does 'ethnic minority' mean?

An ethnic group is any large group of people who share certain cultural traditions and characteristics. These may be common history, language, religion, or family and social values. An ethnic minority means there are less people of a certain background compared to other groups in a country's population.

Ethnic minorities make up 7.1% of the population in the UK. Of these, 24% are Indian, 17% Pakistani and 13% Black Caribbean.

People with different histories, cultures, beliefs and languages have been coming here for centuries. Nearly everyone who lives in Britain today is either an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant. Most of us can probably trace the immigrants in our own families if we go back far enough. Many people in ethnic minority communities are sons and daughters of people who moved to the UK generations back.

Like the Groove Armada song says, if everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other. People from different ethnic and religious backgrounds make the UK the world leader in fashion, music and technology.

Black immigrants from the Caribbean, mainly Trinidad, set up a festival over 35 years ago, to bring together the people of Notting Hill, who were facing racism, unemployment and poor housing. This festival is now recognised as a celebration of diversity in the UK by people from all ethnic backgrounds. Film, literature, art, dance and theatre are all enriched and vitalised by people who can draw on a wide variety of cultural influences from around the world.

Racial discrimination

In the UK, the main law dealing with racial discrimination is the Race Relations Act 1976, which was recently amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. European Union law (which the UK has also agreed to) includes a Race Directive which makes discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin unlawful in: employment, training, education, access to social security and health care, social advantages, access to goods and services, and housing.

Pytania do dyskusji

1. The text quotes the proportion of ethnic minorities in Britain as 7.1%. If someone asked you to estimate the proportion of the ethnic minority population in Britain on the basis of the images you get from the news, cinema and pop music, would you give this figure? Would your estimate be higher or lower? Why?

2. Do migrations from non-European countries constitute a danger or a chance for the states of Old Europe? Give reasons for your opinion.

3. Now that Poland is a member state of the European Union we can expect to become ethnically more diverse. Do you think that Poland will be a good place to live for immigrants? Present and justify your opinion.

Religia i kościoły

Ćwiczenie 4.

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Woman priest ordained in Jersey two years. In 2002 Christine Price was

ordained at All Saints in St Helier.

Both women had previously served as

The Reverend Gloria Green will be Readers within the Anglican Church,

priested at St Brelade Parish Church preaching, leading worship and

by the Bishop of Winchester. It is 10 undertaking pastoral duties.
years since the Church of England Mrs Green is an unpaid member of

voted to permit women to become the ministry team in St Brelade,

priests. Before then, women could only combining her calling with secular

be ordained as Deacons. work. The service on Thursday evening

Mrs Green is the second woman to in the parish church will be conducted

become a priest in Jersey in the past by the Bishop of Winchester.

Profile Archbishop of Cantenbury

Dr Rowan Williams has presided over a chaotic time for the church and a testing time for the UK since his appointment at the end of 2002.

He is Archbishop of Canterbury at a time when the Anglican Church faces serious divisions and when the British government and states across the world have problems with the prevention and consequences of terrorism. The lot of an Archbishop of Canterbury has never been an easy one. Some, like Thomas Becket, have been murdered. Others, most notably Thomas Cranmer, have been executed.

Dr Williams' major problem rests with his unique position. As Archbishop of Canterbury he is leader of the 77 million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion but, unlike the Pope, he has no power to force any of his 38 archbishops to submit to his will. The broad nature of the Church, which includes Anglo-Catholics, evangelicals and liberals, means that it is almost impossible for it to achieve unity on many controversial matters, including the ordination of women, human sexuality and relations with Rome. Whatever the progress of the present crisis and the course of the war on terror, the next few months promise to be difficult ones for the Archbishop. In the church itself, whatever the divisions, he has also impressed with his intellect, common sense and charisma.

The Future of the British Monarchy

The British Queen should no longer be head of the Church of England according to an influential left-wing organisation. The Fabian Society has published a report into the future of the monarchy and it says that the monarchy needs to properly represent the country's different religions. The report calls for a comprehensive modernisation of the monarchy to bring it more into line with other European constitutional monarchies. It says that members of the royal family should have to pay inheritance tax and the Queen's role in the annual state opening of Parliament should be changed.

But the Fabian Society's biggest challenge to the current form of monarchy is its relationship with the Church of England. The report argues that the Queen should no longer be the Supreme Governor of the Church. It also urges the overturning of the controversial Act of Settlement. Under that law passed in 1701, no Catholic or anyone married to a Catholic can succeed to the throne.

These changes would be the most radical in five hundred years, since Henry the Eighth broke away from the Roman Catholic faith and became head of the Church of England. But there is considerable pressure for changes to a system many regard as out of step with modern, multicultural Britain. The Queen has herself said the monarchy needs to adapt to modern times.

Pytania do dyskusji

1. Do you think that the Church of England represents tradition or modernity? Present and justify your opinion.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the Church when the head of state is the head of the Church at the same time? Present and justify your opinion.

Dodatkowe zagadnienia do dyskusji

1. Many people say that they are not interested in politics. Do you think that someone who declares lack of interest and ignorance in these matters should still have the right to vote? Why? Why not?

2. If a country is facing an internal conflict or an economic crisis, to what extent can/ should international organizations intervene? What kind of intervention is justifiable and what kind might aggravate the problem even further? (military action, financial help, humanitarian aid, international observers, any other?) Present and justify your opinion.

3. Most European countries face the problem of increasing violence and crime. Which of the following could help solve the problem in your opinion: building more prisons, corporal punishment in public places, more police, social programmes, more jobs, community work? Present and justify your opinion.

4. Our society is fairly homogenous, i.e. almost all Poles share the same ethnic and cultural background unlike the British. Do you think that it would be interesting to live in a country with more ethnic variety? Why? Why not? Which aspects of life in a multicultural society might be enjoyable: food, culture, anything else? Why? What might cause problems? Present and justify your opinion.

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