Legitimacy+2

Summer 2009- A highly publicized political scandal rocks the UK. Parliament members were discovered to be taking advantage of the expenses system, for example, claiming thousands of pounds for interest on mortgages that had already been paid or didn't exist at all.[] (KD)

Vocabulary-

1. Tradition- the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice (dictionary.com) The tradition of democracy and trust in the judgement of government keeps the legitimacy of the British government one of the highest in the world.

2. Nationalism- devotion and loyalty to one's own nation (dictionary.com) Citizens are proud to be British and cherish thier position as the original model of democracy and success.

3. Insularity- detached; standing alone; isolated (dictionary.com) Britain is an island, not just literally but in the sense of detachment from the rest of Europe. This unifies the country as a whole and promotes solidarity of the government in the eyes of the people.

4. "Civic Culture", or political culture- Britain has a long history of trust in government. This perpetuates legitimacy of the british government. (KD)