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Past Present Future
The End of the UK?
Jan 11, 2024
David talks to political scientist Mike Kenny about the unusual political arrangement of the UK. They discuss how it has held together through war, economic decline, Brexit, and Covid. They explore the motivations behind the Anglo-Scottish Union, the impact of referendums on UK unity, the role of COVID-19, the scenarios of the UK general election, the future of the UK compared to the US, and the likelihood of a constitutional crisis in Northern Ireland.
01:02:05
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Quick takeaways
- The United Kingdom's unique political arrangement has been characterized by historical unions, parliamentary sovereignty, and the absence of a codified constitution, contributing to uncertainty and potential tensions with other states.
- The formation and stability of the UK have relied on the composite nature of the union, the mutual advantage it offers to both crowns, and the historical conflict and economic advantages that led to the Anglo-Scottish Union.
Deep dives
Complexities of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a unique and unusual political arrangement, characterized by historical unions and parliamentary sovereignty. The UK is unusual in having England as the largest and most prominent part of the union. The absence of a codified constitution and the central government's discretion over constitutional matters contribute to uncertainty and potential tensions with other states. The UK is also a diverse archipelago with various national traditions and regional cultures coexisting within a small geographical area.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode