2. Governance
O
Unitary State- in contrast to a federal system, a system of government in which no powers are
reserved for subnational units of government.
O
O
O
O
Cabinet Government- a system of government in which most executive power is held by the
cabinet, headed by a prime minister.
O
O
Parliamentary Sovereignty- the doctrine that grants the legislature the power to make or overturn
any law and permits no veto or judicial review
Constitutional Monarchy- system of government in which the head of state ascends by
heredity but is limited in powers and constrained by the provisions of government
O
O
O
O
In some cases, the prime minister is supposed to listen to his cabinet and supposed to derive
policy and decisions through the majority opinion of his cabinet--> acting in combination with his
cabinet (this case 22 members) cabinet govt. is playing a bigger role in a presidential system of
government
Parliamentary Democracy- system of government in which the chief executive is answerable to
the legislature and may be dismissed by it
O
O
Power concentrated at one level the federal level
Federal is shared between central government and federal government
With some exceptions
have queen who is head of state while also having a constitution with prime minister who is head
of govt.
head of state- face of great Britain
prime minister- face of the government
Differences?
5. Subnational Governments
O
Subnational Governments
O
O
No formal powers prior to 1998 for the subnational governments (page 71)
O
O
Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
They were not subject to review a reversal of Westminster where the UK
parliament sits, it’s the national parliament
This lead to devolution some of the powers trickling down to some of those
subnational governments
O
Scottish Parliament
O
O
O
O
Education, Health, and Justice system
Directly Elected Mayor In London
Spread to other cities
Implications of that push for more local governments
O
More democratic split between the subnational governments, maybe the
smaller states breaking apart and England would lose power or they could stay
together and be like the U.S. of independent states.
O
O
O
O
O
Push for independence
Push for more power
Push into breaking out as their own national government
They could stay together
They could push towards fedarlism
7. Executive
O
Prime Minister: Leader of their Majority Party
O
O
Not elected to that position key difference from President
There is no separate election for prime minister, but the majority party of the house
of commons elects the prime minister
O
O
O
Selects a Cabinet from Parliament
O
O
O
O
O
Simultaneous enrollment required
In order to be a member of the cabinet you have to be a member of the parliament
Cabinet Support required for major action by prime minister
Prime minister always has a majority in the House of Commons absolute
Checks and Balances?
O
O
He has the majority at all times, that is not always the case for the President
Prime minister is the absolute seed of majority don’t experience gridlock like
here, government functions quicker
Don’t really exist
Comparison of Power?
O
Prime Minister has practically all of the power, and selects cabinet members from
his party, therefore everything he will want to get passed will probably get passed
because the cabinet has influence but they most likely share the same views
8. Judiciary
O UK Supreme Court
O Does not have the power of judicial review, cannot review what
is passed in parliament, there are no checks on parliament
O Practically everything else is the same
O Separate Subnational Judicial Structures
O England and Wales
O Northern Ireland
O Scotland
O European Court of Justice
O European union is part of the UK, the ECJ (European Court of
justice) is a court that has a justice from each member country
of the EU.
O They can review all laws passed by parliament to make sure
they follow the “constitution” rules/regulations of the EU
O Has the authority of judicial review over British parliament
9. Legislature
O House of Commons
O 650 seats (based on population)
O All members are elected
O Main Legislative Body: 1. pass laws 2. provide finances for the
state by authorizing taxation 3. review and scrutinize public
administration and government policy
O House of Lords- serves mainly as a chamber of
revision, providing expertise in redrafting legislation, with
the power to suggest amendments to legislation under
consideration in the Commons. But they cannot block
legislation, only delay it.
O
763 Members
O Previously Hereditary Title, they are not elected
O
Now only 94
O 26 Lords Spiritual
O
Anglican Church
10. Legislature Cont’d
O
Bills Introduced to Commons and Lords
O
Various Sources
O
Can be made by MP (members of parliament), think tanks
O
O
Drafted by Whitehall physical location of the prime minister’s office
Three readings in each House
O
O
1. reading of the bill outloud as introduction
2. then there is a formal printing of the bill and distribution
O
3. final reading of the bill and final format, where they vote on it
O
O
O
O
O
2a. after there is a review period and they can suggest and make amendments
Lords Cannot block a Bill
Must be passed by Commons they decide whether it becomes law or not
Royal Assent– being confirmed by the Queen (not the prime minister)
Parliament as Governing Body?
O
Not really governing body because prime minister has most the major power.
House of Commons is always in majority of the prime minister, so the beliefs
and foundation of the parliament and cabinet and prime minister are all the
same.
12. Parties
O Labour PartyO Manual Laborers/Unions
O Conservative
O Free-Market
O Liberal Democrats
O Welfare state
13. Elections
O
Elections are winner takes all Single member District
O
O
No Requirements for Majority
Similar effects of Britain's system as American Single Member District System are:
O
Party polarization
O
O
O
O
O
O
Gerrymandering and districting
Geographical advantages of district representatives
Minorities are under represented
2010 as an aberration
O
O
Democratic and Republican
Labor, Conservative, Liberal
In 2010 there was no majority group so two groups (liberal party and conservative
party) formed a coalition to create a new majority
Elections are held every 5 years
O
A relatively new Phenomenon, before this there was no time constraint and elections
could be called at any time in the case of:
O
O
2/3 vote is passed by the House of Commons for a new election
If majority of parliament decide to cast a vote of no confidence in the Queen’s government
O
O
O
Queen’s government refers to the prime minister and their cabinet
Politically dangerous because if your party leaders the 2/3 vote and then fails, that party is done
Lastly, the prime minister used to be able to call elections as he pleased, in order to get a
bigger majority in the houses or if he could not govern effectively due to gridlock in the
houses.