The document provides a comparison of the political party systems and governmental structures of the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. It discusses the differences between presidential and parliamentary systems of government. It also analyzes the appeal and viability of far-right political parties in these countries, specifically exploring the National Front in France, British National Party in the UK, and National Democratic Party in Germany. Finally, it contrasts the constitutional development of Germany and France, examining differences in their executive branches, legislative branches, and judicial systems.

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Robert Neuman
GVPP 384.101
Final Essay
May 7, 2015
1. Compare and contrast political parties in the Westminster form of parliamentary
government with those in our presidential form of government. Be as expansive as
you can.
In comparing the political parties of the Westminster form of parliamentary
government, and those employed in the United States presidential form of government, I
first need to explain some of the differences and similarities of both systems of rule. As
an original colony of the British Empire, one could infer there are more parallels, than
contrasts. American rule, and the parties which developed into the modern two party
system of both democrats and republicans, with smaller independent parties. Has its
origins in what historians divide into five different periods over the 239 years1, starting
with the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party (anti-Federalist). The
United Kingdom, also had two dominate parties: the Whigs and the Tories before the
mid-19th century. The Tories evolved into the Conservative Party, and the Whigs had
evolved into the Liberal Party2. For the purpose of this essay, I am going to explain the
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_parties_in_the_United_States
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_Kingdom

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workings of both systems of government and offer a comparisons and contrasts, to offer
some insight into the political workings of both systems of government.
In the presidential system used in the United States, the President is both the head of
state, and Chief Executive within the Federal Republic. There is a separation of powers
both explicit and implicit between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of
government. In the Westminster form of government, there is a long established
Monarchy with the Queen and the Royal family, who have some powers within the
government, but the majority of their duties are considered ceremonial. The head of the
government, is the Prime Minister, who oversees the day to day duties of running the
government. Both governmental systems are considered bicameral in nature with the
House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States and in the United Kingdom,
there is a House of Commons, and a House of Lords within the Parliament. The Prime
Minister has a Cabinet of senior members or Ministers, which are similar to the various
Sectaries that make up President Obama’s Cabinet. There are also the Judicial and
Legislative Branches in both government which oversee justice and the law making
processes of each government.
In America, the two primary parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic
Party lie on opposite sides of the spectrum, far right, and ultra conservative on one side
and far left and ultra-Liberal with the American voting constituency falling in between
the two. American political parties are often driven by polarizing issues based on several
policy areas: the economy, taxation, religion, ideology, small government, immigration,
and business concerns. The UK has similar concerns, but many more parties involved in

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the political process, and party membership. Considering the size of the United Kingdom,
I would suggest the UK are politically connected and involved, compared to their
counter-parts in the United States.
Given there are two major parties which control the House of Commons
Conservative and Unionist Party (with 331 members), and the Labor Party (with 232(plus
the Co-operative party)). There are also Liberal Democrats, Democratic Unionist Party,
Sinn Fe’in, Plaid Cymru-Party of Wales, Social-Democratic and Labor Party, Ulster
Unionist Party, UK Independence Party, and the Green Party of England and Wales, who
also have seats in the House of Commons.
Even though the Conservative Party, would suggest far right policies they are
considered a center-right party which is Eurosceptic, economically moderate, but socially
conservative. The Labor Party is often called the “Big top” party, and leans to the center-
left, in its policy making. It is pro-union, and believes in a mixed-market economic
policies. There are several other parties in the House of Commons which are socially
liberal, progressive, to ultra-conservative and nationalistic.
In America, and the Presidential system, political parties in Congress consist of
just four members who are considered Independents, the rest of the members are
Democrats or Republicans. Congress is currently controlled by the Republican Party, and
very little is accomplished in terms of bipartisan legislation. One could say there is
gridlock in Washington, as the President, has had a very tough road to travel, the British
Prime Minister, avoids these types of issues with the consistent backing of Parliament. If
the Prime Minister loses his vote of confidence, the Queen can call for Parliament to

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disband, and call for a new election. The President is in office until the end of his term, or
impeached, due to misconduct.
As I said in my introduction, there are some similarities in the views and
ideologies in the two major parties in the United States Presidential system of
government and the two major parties that have the majority of power within the House
of Commons and the Parliamentary Westminster form of government. Given the size of
the United Kingdom, and political activism displayed by the vast amount of parties vying
for membership in the House of Commons, I would suggest there is a greater sense of
political apathy in the United States and party membership.
2. Discuss the appeal of far-right parties in the three countries we have studied. How
viable are these parties in terms of governing? Give specific examples.
There has always been a certain appeal of the parties to the far right in Europe, and for
the major three countries (Great Britain, France, and Germany), the appeal never really
left, but faded into the background. Many of the far right parties have been around for
decades, only to resurface, in recent years due to several factors: anti- euro, anti-
immigrant, and due to terrorism and the call for increased security, throughout Europe.
Often these fringe far right parties are steeped in “nationalism,” looking to return to the
mythical “golden age” of their countries. The current election cycle has brought new life
to the far right parties, due to all of the concerns, I mentioned above.

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One party, in France “the National Front,” was founded in 1972, by Jean-Marie Le Pen,
has represented the far right in French politics, for a generation. It has been accused of
being anti-Semitic, and charges of racism as Le Pen was charged with inciting racial
hatred toward Muslims in 2005. Le Pen’s daughter currently heads the National Front, as
they have moved more toward a conservative populist agenda. It has moved ahead in
French politics on its anti-immigration, anti-European platform, which would increase
border patrols, strict immigration laws and protectionism legislation. In light of recent
attacks, and anti-Muslim sentiment the National Front has made gains in French elections,
winning two senate seats last September. A recent BVA poll placed the National Fronts
popularity at 28%, just two points below President Hollande’s Socialist party.
The “far right” in the United Kingdom grew out of the fascist’s movement in the 1930’s,
and later formed the British Nationalist Party (BNP) some years later. The parties
nationalistic beliefs, and closed borders to all “non-brits.” It has been accused of fascism
and is open only to native-Britons. Its ideology consists of: right-wing populism, white-
nationalism, ethnic-nationalism, British-nationalism. They are anti-immigration, anti-
globalism, Eurosceptic, and their political beliefs fall on the far right. As Europe has
become more ethnically diverse, there has been a fear that white Britons are becoming the
minority in many of the major cities in the UK, and the BNP, used these fears to gain over
500,000 votes back in 2009, but it is no longer a major player in major party politics.
Germany’s National Democratic Party, is a far right party, which grew out of the
disbanded German Reich Party, formed in 1964. The GND is often described as a neo-

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Nazi organization, and although it has not won the 5% threshold to enter representation in
the Bundestag, the party has gained representation within the state parliaments. As with
the other far right political parties in France and Great Britain, the GNP ideology consists
of Germany nationalism, ethnic nationalism, National- socialism, and Revanchist, policies.
As the GNP looks to regain regions lost after WWII. A wave of anti-immigration, has
overtaken the major countries of Europe, and there is a push to limit citizenship, especially
in the waves of Muslim immigrants fleeing the Middle East. The recent terrorist attacks,
and security concerns have driven citizens in the German states to embrace, the
Nationalist- populist rhetoric.
The major countries of Europe are facing similar issues that America is facing
with immigration, security, jobs and the strains of funding services provided to the
citizens of their respective countries. The “Great Global Recession” has forced European
countries to rethink their positions concerning social policies, membership in the
European Union, and how to best serve the citizens of the UK, France, and Germany. The
parties of the far right, use a populist/nationalist message which many have found to be
attractive after the terrorist attacks of Charlie Hebdo, the current economic state of the
EU, where Germany appears to be carrying the economic burdens, imposed by lesser
countries. Fears of losing, the identities of the state, with increased immigration,
moreover Muslim immigration, has fuelled nationalism and the apparent appeal of the
far-right parties in the UK, France, and Germany. Often with cycles of change the appeal
of traditional values, “us versus them” and a rush to keep the outsiders out, are the tools
of the far-right.

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3 Compare and contrast constitutional development in Germany and France
In comparing the constitutional development of both Germany and France, I feel
the need to offer some background information of each country and how the progression
to their current state. Germany as a unified state, is something of a newcomer, when
compared to France, which has a long history, but Germany was a consolidation of
kingdoms, city-states, and principalities. Early control was governed by a loose coalition
of 39 sovereign states. There was a series of agreed upon constitutions, in, 1849, 1867,
and 1919. Modern constitutional development did not begin until after WWII, as the
allies (United States, United Kingdom, France, and USSR) declared supreme authority
over Germany. The tension between USSR and the other three major powers, ended up
dividing Germany in two. The Federal Republic of Germany, and German Democratic
Republic was created after June of 1945. It seemed very unlikely Germany would ever
become unified during the “cold war.” After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany became
one, once more under the 1949 Constitution, and the “Two plus Four Treaty” creating a
single sovereign Germany.
The Development of a modern French constitution went through four Republics.
The first, was born after the French Revolution, creating a bicameral legislature, with
executive power handled by a group of five, called the Directory3. In 1848 the creation of
the Second Republic, gave French men the right to vote, establishing a National
Assembly, and a popularly elected president. The Third Republic began after 1940, and it
3 Constitutionnet.org-Constitutional history of France

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was driven by several constitutional laws, instead of just one single constitution. The
Forth Republic was created by referendum after WWII, and it was greatly influenced by
Charles De Gualle, and was ratified in 1958. This created the current Fifth Republic,
which gave the ability to have a strong president influencing politics within France.
France is a Republic and power is centralized, Germany is a Federal Republic,
which is similar to the United States where the States have control over governing. There
are 27 regions in France and 16 states which make up Germany. There are several
differences in the structure of both constitutions and how it shapes the government. In
Germany the President is the Head of State, but the Chancellor runs the government. The
position of President is ceremonial, in Germany as orders and directions have to be
signed off by the German Chancellor, Mrs. Merkel (current Chancellor). Within France
the Constitution provides increased formal powers as President. In France the President is
the Head of State and the Prime Minister runs the government. The Executive Branch of
the German government, consists of the President, Chancellor, and the Federal Ministers.
According to Article 55(1) the Federal Convention elects the President for a five year
term, and no more than two than two terms. In France the Executive Branch consists of
both the President and the Prime Minister in a “two-headed” system. Both the President
and the Prime Minister tend to come from the same party, and when it is not the case a
system of “Co-habitation.” The Ministers submit legislation before the Parliament. All
domestic policies changes made by the President must be approved by the Prime
minister.

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The Legislative Branches of both governments have two distinct bodies. In
Germany the legislature is divided between the Bundesrat and Bundestag, the Bundestag
is considered the lower house and universally elected and represents all of Germany.
Anyone who is of age, can be elected to the Bundestag and serves a four year term. The
members of the Bundesrat or upper house, and is comprised of members of the Lander
governments, as 3-6 members are placed into the Bundesrat. Federal laws are adopted by
the Bundestag, and then submitted to the Bundesrat. In the French Legislature there is
two houses: the National Assembly, and the Senate. The National Assembly is elected by
universal suffrage, for a five year term. A candidate must be a citizen, be at least 18 years
of age, no criminal record and have a bank account. Members of the Senate are indirectly
elected by an electoral college made up of local officials. Half of the Senators are elected
every 3 years. The Senate is concerned with Constitutional matters and foreign affairs.
The Differences in the judiciary branches of both countries consists of France
having four Courts in which to listen to cases, and Germany has three Judicial Courts.
The Federal Constitutional Court, the Supreme Federal Courts, and other Federal Courts.
The Federal Constitutional Court rules dealing with basic laws, between Landers,
Landers and the Federation, and matters assigned by Federal law. Judges are elected by
both the Bundesrat and the Bundestag equally. Judges cannot be members of the
Bundesrat or Bundestag. The Federation establishes the Federal courts, including: Justice,
Administrative, Finance, Labor, and Social as the Supreme Courts of each area of the

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Judiciary system. The Four Judicial branches in France consists of: Constitutional
Council, Court of Cassation, Council of the States, and the Jurisdictional Disputes
Tribunal. The Constitutional Council handles Constitutional issues of law, the Court of
Cassation, resides over civil and criminal court cases. The Council of the States,
addresses administrative law.
The Constitutional development of both France and Germany were shaped by the
influence of powerful leaders, and great turmoil, due to war. The major difference in who
holds the power and authority in the decision making process. The French President has
more power and influence, when compared to the President in Germany. Both Countries
have Bicameral Legislatures, but there is some difference in terms of membership and the
Federal nature of the system in Germany. France Has another Court in its judicial
structure at the top, and Germany has a system similar to the United States where the
States have some power, over the day to day governance of each state within the
Federation.
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"Constitutional History France." ConstitutionNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015.
"Constitutional History of Germany." ConstitutionNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015.
"HOPE Not Hate." Hate Files: The British National Party. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
How Government Works." - GOV.UK. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.

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"Political Parties in the United States." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May
2015.
"Presidential System." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.
Robbins-Early, Nick. "A Field Guide to Europe’s Radical Right." Huffington Post. N.p., 15 Feb.
2015. Web. 07 May 2015.
"Westminster System." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.