What's happening?

Empty classrooms in school. Empty lecture halls in universities. No trains at the stations or buses on the streets.

Across the UK, nearly half a million people did not go to work yesterday. Instead, they went on strikeWhen people refuse to work until their demands for changes have been met. , calling for better working conditions and better pay.

Some say this is a problem that can be solved quickly - by offering the workers what they want.

But others say the strikes are actually part of a much bigger problem - a crisis in the systems at the heart of the UK.

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Britain is a democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. - this means that people vote for leaders to represent their interests and make decisions on how the country is run on their behalf. It is also a capitalistRelated to an economic system based on private ownership of businesses and goods. country - this means that many companies are run by people in competition with each other to make money and provide a good service to customers.

In theory, these two systems should work together. Capitalism should give people a reason to work hard and achieve many things in business - but democracy makes sure that nobody is too powerful and people are still equal.

In reality, many say it is not working. Inequality is a major problem. Many people struggle to pay for the cost of livingThe money that someone needs to afford basic food, housing and clothes.. Some think Britain needs to completely change how it is run.

Yes! We need to get rid of the current system. It simply is not working. Britain is not an equal place.

No! The strikes are one issue and can be solved by offering workers better pay. And it is not clear if another system would be any better.