英美文化chapter4

Chapter 4 EconomyRecent History of British Economy* Economic decline* After World War II, the British economy experienced a period of great difficulty and relative economic decline.Causes* two World Wars-great economic loss* the era of the British Empire was over-decolonization (losses of raw material & market)* military expense (until the process of decolonization completed in the 1960s)Policies* "mixed economy"* an economy in which there is some public ownership as well as privately owned business* During the 20th century the government has become involved in the economy through introduction of social welfare policies and laws to regulate industrial relations.Policies (1945-1979)* In 1945 the Labor party* carried out drastic reformsnationalize key industries (such as coal, steel and transport)* laid the foundation for postwar British social and economic development* Result: Britain's economic growth fell behind that of western EuropeancountriesPolicies (1979-1997)* 1979-1997 Conservative Party* Margaret Thatcher* Radical economic reform? sell back those industries to the private sector beat inflation (primary objective)? Promote competitive spirit in economy* Social welfare reduced* Result: Britain's economic growth still lagged behind"In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." -Margaret Thatcher* 政治上，假如你想要的是空谈，找男人；假如你想有些作为，找女人。

* In 1997 the Labor party Tony Blair* the "Third Way": differ from the old the Labor party's nationalization reform and the conservative party's extreme individualism? made the Bank of England independent? emphasized on the minimum wage and supplementing low incomes? emphasized individual responsibility> Britain's economic growth surpassed other major European countriesII. Current British Economy* the world's fifth largest economy(after US, Japan, Germany and China)* The UK's people are the world's twelfth richest* Sterling-performed relatively well against major currencies in recent yearsNatural Resources & Infrastructures* Principal resources-oil and gas(in the North Sea, on the coast of Scotland)* Large amount of coal (kept for future use)* Highly developed & efficient main road and rail network and airportsAgriculture* A small proportion of the population engaged in agricultural activities* 1% of the country's labor force employed* A high degree of mechanization* Meets around 60% of the national demands* Mild climate-favorable environment for agriculture and stock raising* Important crops-wheat, barley, sugar beet, potatoes.* Dairy farming, fishing Manufacturing-still playing important role* The world's leading* exporter of cattle,* sheep, pigs and* horses.Energy Production* Coalfields are mostly located in Central Scotland, Central England and South Wales, around Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle.* Rio Tinto__ one of the world's largest mining companies, operates mines all over the world.* Britain's oil industry is relatively new. In 1975, the first oil came ashore from the North Sea. Not only self-sufficient, but also an oil exporter.* 3 Big producers: Shell, British Petroleum (BP), British Gas (BG)Manufacturing Industry* Around 30% of manufactured goods are exported, accounting for some 60% of Britain's total export.* Pharmaceuticals (GlaxoSmithkine, the largest drug company in the world)* Chemicals (ICI, the second largest paint producer in the world)* Food and drink (Scotch whisky being a major exporter)* Electronics industry (the fifth largest)* British Steel Corporation (BSC, the fourth largest steel manufacturer in the world)Services industries* The major trends in the British economy since the war have been a further decline in the already small agricultural sector, a reduction in the industrial sector and a sizable expansion of the service sector (retailing, banking, tourism, and public services).* Services industries, especially, business and financial services-the strongest performing sector in the UK economy* London-the strongest performing region in the UK* London is one of the three* principal financial centers of* the world, with the other* Two being New York and* Tokyo.Finance* Importance of institutions of City of London cannot be over-emphasized* known as the world's leading international financial centre* Over 550 international banks and 170 global securities houses have offices in London* BANKING* The Bank of England* the central bank of the UK-a nationalized industry operated on behalf of the government.* controls the currency and acts as banker both to the government and to the commercial banks * aims to maintain the integrity and value of the currency, maintain thestability of the financial system and ensure the effectiveness of the financial services sector.* The London foreign exchange market is the largest in the world, with daily turnover of $504bn in April 2001, accounting for 31% of global turnover, more than New York and Tokyo combined. * The London Stock Exchange is one of the world's largest centers for trading stocks and bonds. * London is the world's largest fund management centre, and the leader in the management of overseas clients non-domestic portfolios.* London is the major centre for the international bond market.* London-based book runners accounted for about 60% of international bonds issued, with 70% of trading in the secondary market, including euro-denominated issues, also based in London Tourism* One of the largest industries in Britain.* Employs 1.8 million people* The income from tourism makes up about 5% of the world's total income from tourism* About 25 million people visit England every year from all over the world.* Magnificent countryside views, a wide variety of culture* Dorset and East Devon Coast, The Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and the beautiful university towns* Dorset and East Devon Coast ___ a Natural World Heritage SiteLake DistrictWindsor Castle* 温莎城堡(Windsor castle)距伦敦约35公里，900多年以来一直是英国王室的居住地。