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The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Its [[head of state]] is Queen [[Elizabeth II]], and its [[head of government]] is Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].  

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Its [[head of state]] is Queen [[Elizabeth II]], and its [[head of government]] is Prime Minister [[Theresa May]].  

From the sixteenth to twentieth centuries the United Kingdom and its predecessor states ruled and administered the British Empire. After extensive decolonisation in the twentieth century the UK granted independence to most of its colonies. Since then it has retained its status as a great power, having the fifth largest economy in the world, as well as being an official nuclear state and having a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.  

The United Kingdom has lost the preeminence in the world that it enjoyed 100 years ago, due to its decline into [[socialism]], [[Darwinism]] and godlessness/[[atheism]].<ref>

*[http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~nfergus/publications/Economics%20Religion%20and%20the%20End%20of%20Europe%20as%20published%20in%20Ec%20Aff.pdf ECONOMICS, RELIGION AND THE DECLINE OF EUROPE] by the [[Harvard University]] historian Niall Ferguson

*[http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Godlessness-has-doomed-Britain Godlessness has doomed Britain], [[Shmuley Boteach]],'' Jerusalem Post''

*[http://creation.com/christianity-as-progress  A review of The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark, Random House, New York, 2005], reviewed by Lael Weinberger

*[http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/scotland-still-has-a-job-on-its-hands-to-reverse-decline.21330686 Scotland still has a job on its hands to reverse decline], The Herald, Thursday 13 June 2013

*[http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/census-reveals-huge-rise-in-number-of-non-religious-scots.22270874 Census reveals huge rise in number of non-religious Scots].'' The Herald'', Friday 27 September 2013

*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/9594221/Scotlands-vitality-was-the-envy-of-the-world.html Scotland’s vitality was the envy of the world], ''The Telegraph'', By Allan Massie, 8:06PM BST 08 Oct 2012

*[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012

*The prominent investor Jim Rogers declared: "If you were smart at the start of the 19th century, you made your way to [[London]]. If you were smart at the start of the 20th century, you moved to New York. And if you are smart at the start of the 21st century, you will find your way to Asia."[http://www.asiancenturyinstitute.com/international/198-jim-rogers-on-asia-singapore-and-life]

</ref> It has fallen from having by far the world's strongest economy to a distant fifth place.  

The United Kingdom is currently a member of the [[European Union]] although it is negotiating a departure.

The United Kingdom is a member of the [[NATO]] and the [[United Nations]]. It is currently a member of the [[European Union]] although it is negotiating a departure.

British values, culture and institutions were spread throughout many parts of the world during the period of the [[British Empire]], 1600-1960, and British contributions to world culture include the English language, the [[parliament]]ary form of government, the [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church ("Church of England"), a tradition of personal liberty, and the [[common law]] legal system.  

British values, culture and institutions were spread throughout many parts of the world during the period of the [[British Empire]], 1600-1960, and British contributions to world culture include the English language, the [[parliament]]ary form of government, the [[Church of England|Anglican]] Church ("Church of England"), a tradition of personal liberty, and the [[common law]] legal system.  

Note, however, that the United Kingdom does not have the constitutional [[free speech]] protections or an energetic [[Christian]] culture that exist in the [[United States]], because there is not a codified constitution - though limited speech is proved via the Human Rights Act of 1998. However various acts mean there is free speech, similar to that in the [[United States]].  

Note, however, that the United Kingdom does not have the constitutional [[free speech]] protections or an energetic [[Christian]] culture that exist in the [[United States]], because there is not a codified constitution - though limited speech is proved via the Human Rights Act of 1998. However various acts mean there is free speech, similar to that in the [[United States]]. Certain county councils, like Salford Quays in the United Kingdom have issued 'public space protection orders' that fine people £50 for swearing.

 

In 2015, the UK was ranked 12th on the World Democracy index, above countries such as the US and France, and below those like Germany and Canada.<ref>[http://democracyranking.org/wordpress/rank/democracy-ranking-2015/ World's Democracy Index]</ref>

In 2015, the UK was ranked 12th on the World Democracy index, above countries such as the US and France, and below those like Germany and Canada.<ref>[http://democracyranking.org/wordpress/rank/democracy-ranking-2015/ World's Democracy Index]</ref>

Britain was part of the [[British Empire]], which has become the "British Commonwealth", and is mostly a discussion club. Britain has a few scattered minor possessions, including [[Gibraltar]], but gave up its last important colony—[[Hong Kong]]—in 1997.

Britain was part of the [[British Empire]], which has become the "British Commonwealth", and is mostly a discussion club. Britain has a few scattered minor possessions, including [[Gibraltar]], but gave up its last important colony—[[Hong Kong]]—in 1997.

[[File:Westminster in the evening.jpg|thumb|280px|Westminster in the evening.]]

[[File:Westminster in the evening.jpg|thumb|280px|Westminster in the evening.]]

* The standard language of the UK is English; [[Welsh]] has parity in Wales, and [[Gaelic]] is widely used on official documents, roadsigns, etc. in remote Gaelic-speaking areas of western Scotland.

* The standard language of the UK is English; [[Welsh]] has parity in Wales, and [[Gaelic]] is widely used on official documents, roadsigns, etc. in remote Gaelic-speaking areas of western Scotland.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--5.01/1,000. Life expectancy (2007 est.)--males 76.23 yrs.; females 81.3 yrs.; total 78.7 years

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2007 est.)--5.01/1,000. Life expectancy (2007 est.)--males 76.23 yrs.; females 81.3 yrs.; total 78.7 years

*Work force (2007, 31.1 million): Services—80.4%; industry—18.2%; agriculture—1.4%.

*Work force (2007, 31.1 million): Services—80.4%; industry—18.2%; agriculture—1.4%.

===Religion===

===Religion===

[[File:Canterbury Cathedral.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Canterbury Cathedral (photographed during 1890-1900).]]

[[File:Canterbury Cathedral.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Canterbury Cathedral (photographed during 1890-1900).]]

Religious faith, according to a 2011 survey, has declined sharply in Britain over the last two decades. Now only 42% of people describe themselves as Christian, as opposed to 66% in 1990.  

Religious faith, according to a 2011 survey, has declined sharply in Britain over the last two decades. Now only 42% of people describe themselves as Christian, as opposed to 66% in 1990. Most of the decline is due to a drift away from the Church of England, it is claimed, with only 20% claiming allegiance, down from 40%.  

In 2003 the Office of National Statistics estimated 29% of the population identified with Anglicanism, 10% with the Catholic Church, and 14% with other Protestant churches. A 2007 survey reported that the number of Catholics (mostly Irish) attending Sunday services has overtaken the number of Anglicans doing so. A September 2006 English Church Census reported that Methodists were decreasing as a percentage of the population, while members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Pentecostal churches, many churches from Africa, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, almost entirely immigrants, were increasing.<ref>According to [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108478.htm U.S. State Department Report, 2008]</ref>  

In 2003 the Office of National Statistics estimated 29% of the population identified with Anglicanism, 10% with the Catholic Church, and 14% with other Protestant churches. A 2007 survey reported that the number of Catholics (mostly Irish) attending Sunday services has overtaken the number of Anglicans doing so. A September 2006 English Church Census reported that Methodists were decreasing as a percentage of the population, while members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Pentecostal churches, many churches from Africa, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, almost entirely immigrants, were increasing.<ref>According to [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108478.htm U.S. State Department Report, 2008]</ref>