Models of democracy
UK
oldest parliamentary system
US
example of modern government
Branches of government
legislative
makes laws
US
Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
UK
Parliament
House of Commons
House of Lords
executive
implements laws
US
President
Cabinet
UK
Prime Minister
Cabinet
judical
interprets laws
US
Federal Courts
Supreme Court
9 judges
appointed by President
‘indefinite tenure’
cannot be removed
highest court
‘judicial review’
is law constitutional?
UK
Various courts
differences
US
separation of powers
each independent
'checks and balances'
UK
'fusion of powers'
judical branch
limited power
US Constitution
1787
Amendments
support in 67% in Congress
75% of states
27 passed
Bill of Rights
1791
first ten
1992
recent
unique
first came the state, later the nation
single document
British Constitution
no single source
set of laws, judgements, treaties, conventions
constant evolution
'unwritten' constitution
The rise of Parliament
13th-14th c.
1215
Magna Carta
Nobles forced limits upon the king’s power
inspired America’s Founding Fathers
meetings of the leading figures who advised the king
two housees
Lords
Commons
16 th c.
‘Crown-in-Parliament’
executive (monarch) and legislative (parliament)
combination of the Crown, Lords & Commons
Tudor period
17 th c.
Stuart period
Conflict between monarchy and parliament
Civil War
Parliament victorious
Parliament stronger
1688
Glorious Revolution
18 th c.
1st PM
‘cabinet’ government
‘His/Her Majesty’s Government’
19th c.-today
monarch
head of the state
ceremonial role
House of Lords
weakened
House of Commons
the centre power in parliament
Parliament system
Executive (cabinet) formed by ministers, who draw democratic legitimacy from and are responsible to the legislature (parliament)
PM
head of government
77 countries
Pros
quicker/easier to pass legislation
executives has the support of legislature
Cons
executive not elected by people
PM changes mid-term
Presidential system
president
executive
elected by the people
head of state and government
48 countries
Pros
president elected by the ppl
balance among branches
Cons
'gridlock'
branches refuse to cooperate