Ch 22Different Types of Government

Great Britain

Unwritten Constitution- govt based on customs and practices that have been accepted over time

Magna Carta 1215Petition of Rights 1628English Bill of Rights 1689

British Monarchy

Elizabeth II has been the ruler since 1952. But, her powers are minimal at best due to the fact that unwritten customs dictate her power. That is why Britain operates under a Constitutional Monarchy

Prime Minister is appointed by the Queen (usually the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons) but her choice is subject to the approval of that house. She has no power to dismiss the Prime Minister or any other officer of government. She has no veto power of acts of Parliament. Today’s monarch’s reign but do not rule.

British Parliament

Parliament is the central institution of British Government- holding both executive and legislative powers.

Bi-cameral- Two houses◦House of Lords ( upper house)◦House of Commons (lower house) much more

powerful.

House of Lords

Until recently most members based on hereditary lineage. The other members are appointed for life by the queen on the advice of the prime minister- includes bishops and archbishops, law lords and life peers(persons honored for their achievements in science, literature, the arts, politics, or business)

House of Lords holds limited power. Cannot block legislation from the House of Commons. It can only delay its passage. It does however have Law Lords who are the final court of appeals in both civil and criminal cases

1999 went thru major upheaval due to public scrutiny and dismissed 750 members of the House of Lords who had their position based on heredity.

House of Commons

659 members. Regularly called MP’s (members of Parliament).

Elected from single-members districts of roughly equal populations. There are 529 constituencies in England, 72 in Scotland and 40 in Wales, 18 in Northern Ireland.

A general election- one in which all seats in the Commons are at stake- takes place at least once every five years. No set day for elections. If MP dies a special election in scheduled called a by-election to chose a replacement.

Prime Minister

When a single party holds the majority of seats in parliament that party chooses a leader (prime minister) technically appointed by the queen but not really. If no single party holds a majority a coalition( temporary alliance of parties) must be formed. Two are more parties must agree on the choice for Prime Minister.

Two parties have dominated British politics◦Conservative Party (Tories) upper middle class .

Tend to favor private economic initiatives and the British class system

◦Labour Party- working class voters. Tends to favor government involvement and a more socially equal society. Historically supports Socialism and the redistribution of wealth.

◦Other parties are Liberal Democrat Party, and the Social Democratic Party (broke away from Labour party in 1981

Devolution

Because Great Britain is composed of 4 kingdoms( England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) with its own cultures and ideas. Delegation of authority has shifted from the central government to regional governments

Courts

3 separate court systems◦England◦Scotland◦WalesIn England and Wales most civil cases are tried in county

courts. Serious criminal cases are tried in the Crown Court and less serious criminal cases in the magistrates’ courts.

Scotland kept its own court system when in became part of the UK in 1707. Simpler courts- with most cases tried in Sheriffs courts then onto the Court of Session and then onto the Court of Judiciary( supreme criminal court

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