Chapter 3 The government of the united ingdom Time Allocation: 4 periods Focal Points: the formation of the government; the monarch; Parliament; the Prime Minister: the Cabinet Focus questions 1. What is the central government made up of?(The monarch, Parliament, and the cabinet) 2. What are the three branches of the English parliament? (The Monarch, the hor of Lords, and the house of commons) 3. What are the five titles of nobility?(Duke, Marquees, Earl, Viscount and Baron) 4. Who chooses the members of the British Cabinet?(Prime Minister) 5. In which place are Kings and Queens crowned? (Westminster Abbey) 6. Where is the Monarchs residence in London? (Buckingham Palace) 7. What's the meaning of"parliament"?(A place for argument and debate) 8. When was the parliamentary system instituted in Britain?(in the 13th centur 9. What is the chairman of the House of Commons called?(Speaker) 10. What is the chairman of the House of Lords called? (Lord Chancellor) 11. What is the Cabinet made up of? (The Prime Minister and some other ministers) 12. Who are civil servants?(Government employees) 13. Who are always included in the Cabinet?(The Minister of Defense, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer) 14 How are the members of parliament in the house of commons elected how are those in the house of lords selected? Introduction to the System of Government To know the political systems of the UK, first of all, we should be clear about the definition ofgovernment What is“ government”? Government is a political organization comprising the individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct affairs of state
1 Chapter 3 The Government of the United Kingdom Time Allocation: 4 periods Focal Points: the formation of the government; the Monarch; Parliament; the Prime Minister; the Cabinet. Focus questions: 1. What is the central government made up of? (The monarch, Parliament, and the cabinet) 2. What are the three branches of the English parliament? (The Monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons) 3. What are the five titles of nobility? (Duke, Marquees, Earl, Viscount and Baron) 4. Who chooses the members of the British Cabinet? (Prime Minister) 5. In which place are Kings and Queens crowned? (Westminster Abbey) 6. Where is the Monarch’s residence in London? (Buckingham Palace) 7. What’s the meaning of “parliament”? (A place for argument and debate) 8. When was the parliamentary system instituted in Britain? (in the 13th century) 9. What is the chairman of the House of Commons called? (Speaker) 10.What is the chairman of the House of Lords called? (Lord Chancellor) 11.What is the Cabinet made up of? (The Prime Minister and some other ministers) 12.Who are civil servants? (Government employees) 13.Who are always included in the Cabinet? (The Minister of Defense, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer) 14.How are the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons elected? How are those in the House of Lords selected? Introduction to the System of Government To know the political systems of the UK，first of all, we should be clear about the definition of “government”. What is “government”? Government is a political organization comprising the individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct affairs of state
Governments are usually empowered to establish and regulate the interrelationships of the people within their territorial confines. In this sense, government applies both to the governments of national states, such as the federal government of the U.S., and to the govemments of subdivisions of national states such as the state, county, and municipal governments of the U.S. The word government" may also refer to the people who form the supreme administrative body of a country, as in the expression"the government of Prime Minister Tony Blaire" in the UK Governments are classified in a great many ways and from a wide variety of standpoints. A familiar classification is that which distinguishes monarchic from republican governments. Scholars in modern times, espec ially in the 20th century, have stressed the characteristics that distinguish democratic governments from dictatorships. In one classification of governments, federal states are distinguished from unitary states Monarchy is a form of government in which one person has the hereditary right to rule as head of state during his or her lifetime. The power of the monarch varies from absolute to very limited. Monarchs include such rulers as kings and queens emperors and empress Republican government is a form of state based on the concept that sovereignty resides in the people, who delegate the power to rule in their behalf to elected representatives and officials emocracy is a political system in which the people of a country rule through any form of government they choose to establish. In modern democracies, supreme authority is exercised for the most part by representatives elected by popular suffrage n many democracies, such as the United States, both the executive head of government and the legislature are elected. In typical constitutional monarchies such as the United Kingdom, only the legislators are elected, and from their ranks a cabinet and a prime minister are chosen (It is important to distinguish between a republic and a democracy. In the theoretical republican state, where the government expresses the will of the people who have chosen it, republic and democracy may be identical (there are also democratic monarchies). Historical republics, however, have never conformed to a theoretical model, and in the 20th century the term republic is freely used by dictatorships, one-party states, and democracies alike. Republic has, in fact, come to signify any form of state headed by a president or some similarly titled figure, and not a monarch.) Federalism, also referred to as federal government, is a national or international political sy stem in which two levels of government control the same territory and
2 Governments are usually empowered to establish and regulate the interrelationships of the people within their territorial confines. In this sense, government applies both to the governments of national states, such as the federal government of the U.S., and to the governments of subdivisions of national states, such as the state, county, and municipal governments of the U.S. The word “government” may also refer to the people who form the supreme administrative body of a country, as in the expression “the government of Prime Minister Tony Blaire” in the UK. Governments are classified in a great many ways and from a wide variety of standpoints. A familiar classification is that which distinguishes monarchic from republican governments. Scholars in modern times, especially in the 20th century, have stressed the characteristics that distinguish democratic governments from dictatorships. In one classification of governments, federal states are distinguished from unitary states. Monarchy is a form of government in which one person has the hereditary right to rule as head of state during his or her lifetime. The power of the monarch varies from absolute to very limited. Monarchs include such rulers as kings and queens, emperors and empresses. Republican government is a form of state based on the concept that sovereignty resides in the people, who delegate the power to rule in their behalf to elected representatives and officials. Democracy is a political system in which the people of a country rule through any form of government they choose to establish. In modern democracies, supreme authority is exercised for the most part by representatives elected by popular suffrage. In many democracies, such as the United States, both the executive head of government and the legislature are elected. In typical constitutional monarchies such as the United Kingdom, only the legislators are elected, and from their ranks a cabinet and a prime minister are chosen. (It is important to distinguish between a republic and a democracy. In the theoretical republican state, where the government expresses the will of the people who have chosen it, republic and democracy may be identical (there are also democratic monarchies). Historical republics, however, have never conformed to a theoretical model, and in the 20th century the term republic is freely used by dictatorships, one-party states, and democracies alike. Republic has, in fact, come to signify any form of state headed by a president or some similarly titled figure, and not a monarch.) Federalism, also referred to as federal government, is a national or international political system in which two levels of government control the same territory and
citizens. Countries with federal political systems have both a central government and governments based in smaller political units, usually called states, provinces, or territories. These smaller political un its surrender some of their political power to the central government, relying on it to act for the common good Federal political systems are relatively uncommon around the world. Instead most countries are unitary systems, with laws giving virtually all authority to the central government. The central government may delegate duties to cities or other administrative units, but it retains final authority. The central government in a unitary system is much more powerful than the central government in a federal system Different countries may have different kinds of government. Although both the United Kingdom and the United States are democratic countries, they have difference in their system of government The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a Monarchic government with the monarch as the Head of State. The present monarch of the country is Queen Elizabeth II. But the United Kingdom is a parliamentary monarchy (constitutional monarchy that is, the head of state is a monarch(King or Queen) with limited powers. It means the Queen can only rule with the advice of parliament Actually, the Queen of the UK has no real power in the UK. She does everything automatically Britain's democratic government is based on the fact that its members of parliament are elected by the people. Parliament consists of three parts: the House of Lords. the house of Commons and the monarch. The House of Commons is far more influential than the House of Lords. The chief executive is the prime minister, who is a member of the house of commons The executive branch also includes her Majesty's Government, commonly referred to simply as " the government. The government is composed of ministers in the Cabinet, most of whom are members o the house of commons because the house of commons is involved in both the legis lative and executive branches of the British government, there is no separation of powers between executive and legislature as there is in the United States Besides, the United Kingdom is a unitary government, because its central government with the Prime Minister as the leader is very strong. All the other governments, like city governments, town governments, are subject to the central government. Or local and regional governments derive authority from the central United States is a federal country. Federalism is the basic framework of the system of government. What does it mean by"federalism"in the United States In the United States, federalism(EX#KAi) means the division of the powers of government between the nation and the state. Each American is subject to two
3 citizens. Countries with federal political systems have both a central government and governments based in smaller political units, usually called states, provinces, or territories. These smaller political units surrender some of their political power to the central government, relying on it to act for the common good. Federal political systems are relatively uncommon around the world. Instead, most countries are unitary systems, with laws giving virtually all authority to the central government. The central government may delegate duties to cities or other administrative units, but it retains final authority. The central government in a unitary system is much more powerful than the central government in a federal system. Different countries may have different kinds of government. Although both the United Kingdom and the United States are democratic countries, they have difference in their system of government. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a Monarchic government with the monarch as the Head of State. The present monarch of the country is Queen Elizabeth II. But the United Kingdom is a parliamentary monarchy (constitutional monarchy)—that is, the head of state is a monarch (King or Queen) with limited powers. It means the Queen can only rule with the advice of parliament. Actually, the Queen of the UK has no real power in the UK. She does everything automatically. Britain’s democratic government is based on the fact that its members of parliament are elected by the people. Parliament consists of three parts: the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the monarch. The House of Commons is far more influential than the House of Lords. The chief executive is the prime minister, who is a member of the House of Commons. The executive branch also includes Her Majesty’s Government, commonly referred to simply as “the government.” The government is composed of ministers in the Cabinet, most of whom are members of the House of Commons. Because the House of Commons is involved in both the legislative and executive branches of the British government, there is no separation of powers between executive and legislature as there is in the United States. Besides, the United Kingdom is a unitary government, because its central government with the Prime Minister as the leader is very strong. All the other governments, like city governments, town governments, are subject to the central government. Or local and regional governments derive authority from the central government. United States is a federal country. Federalism is the basic framework of the system of government. What does it mean by “federalism” in the United States? In the United States, federalism (联邦制) means the division of the powers of government between the nation and the state. Each American is subject to two
governments: 1)the government of his state and 2) the government of the Union Each of them has its own d istinct function The states have under the Constitution the primary functions of provid ing law and order, education, public health and most of the things, which concern day-to-day life. The federal government at Washington(the government of the Union) is concerned with foreign affairs and with matters of general concern to the states, includ ing commerce between the states United States is also a republic country with the Separation of Powers among the three departments of the Federal Government: 1)executive(the President), 2) legislature(Congress)and 3)judicial(the Supreme Court ) Congress makes laws, the President supervises the administration, and the courts interpret the laws and with the aid of the executive enforce the laws. the three elements are checked and balanced by one another. The Constitution limits the powers of each branch and prevents any branch from gaining too much power Besides, the United States is a presidential government instead of parliamentary government. In one classification of democratic nations, parliamentary governments are distinguished from presidential ones. In parliamentary governments the executive branch is subordinate to the legislature. So in the United Kingdom, parliament is very important part of government. The Prime Minister and his ministers of government are at the same time Members of parliament. The government can only remain in office as long as it has the support of a majority of the members of In presidential governments, such as in the U.S., the executive is inder e legislature. President and his government administers are not at the same time the members of the Congress. They are separated from each other and check and balance with each other Thus, the general election of the United Kingdom is a general election of the Members of Parlia ment while the general election of the United States is to elect a president. . Central Government The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy Its constitution is partly unwritten and is flexible. The constitutions basic sources are legislative Acts of Parliament and decisions made by courts of law. The reigning monarch(the present King or Queen) is permanent head of state. Executive ver Is in the hands of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority
4 governments: 1) the government of his state and 2) the government of the Union. Each of them has its own distinct function. The states have under the Constitution, the primary functions of providing law and order, education, public health and most of the things, which concern day-to-day life. The federal government at Washington (the government of the Union) is concerned with foreign affairs and with matters of general concern to the states, including commerce between the states. United States is also a republic country with the Separation of Powers among the three departments of the Federal Government: 1) executive (the President), 2) legislature (Congress) and 3) judicial (the Supreme Court). Congress makes laws, the President supervises the administration, and the courts interpret the laws and with the aid of the Executive enforce the laws. The three elements are checked and balanced by one another. The Constitution limits the powers of each branch and prevents any branch from gaining too much power. Besides, the United States is a presidential government instead of parliamentary government. In one classification of democratic nations, parliamentary governments are distinguished from presidential ones. In parliamentary governments the executive branch is subordinate to the legislature. So in the United Kingdom, parliament is a very important part of government. The Prime Minister and his ministers of government are at the same time Members of parliament. The government can only remain in office as long as it has the support of a majority of the members of Commons. In presidential governments, such as in the U.S., the executive is independent of the legislature. President and his government administers are not at the same time the members of the Congress. They are separated from each other and check and balance with each other. Thus, the general election of the United Kingdom is a general election of the Members of Parliament while the general election of the United States is to elect a president. I. Central Government The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. Its constitution is partly unwritten and is flexible. The constitution's basic sources are legislative Acts of Parliament and decisions made by courts of law. The reigning monarch (the present King or Queen) is permanent head of state. Executive power is in the hands of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority
party in Parliament, and the cabinet. The cab inet is appointed by the Prime minister from among his or her party. The Prime Minister also appoints about 25 ministers outside the cabinet, as well as 50 junior ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, consisting of the monarch, the hered itary and appointive House of lords and the elected House of commons The 659 members of the house of commons are elected to five-year terms, although the Prime Minister may call general elections at any time The British Government is composed of three tiers: (1) the central gov t, (2)the county government, and 3)the district governmen The central government of the UK is made up of three parts: (1)the monarch, (2) Parliament, and (3) the cabinet. why do we say that the british system of government is constitutional monarchy? What is the meaning of the constitutional monarchy? The United Kingdom of great Britain and northern ireland is said to be reigned over the monarch, but she does not rule. Britain is regarded as a democracy in the Western World because the real power of government is invested with elective officials. The participation of the monarch in government, a kind of formality and historical legacy, is limited by the basic law known as the constitution(not necessarily in a written form). It is for this reason that the British sy stem of government is known as constitutional monarchy 1. The monarchy The present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth Il, 1lth generation of the House of Hanover(汉诺威王朝) Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926. She was the elder daughter of Albert Duke of York, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Elizabeth IIs education was supervised by her mother and taught by a governess, Marion Crawford. She also had instruction from visiting teachers in music and languages Early in 1947 Princess Elizabeth went with the king and queen to South Africa After her return, there was an announcement of her marriage appointment to her distant cousin Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten of the Royal Navy, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The marriage took place in Westminster Abbey or Nov. 20, 1947. On the eve of the wedd ing her father, the king, conferred upon the bridegroom the titles of Duke of Ed inburgh. They took residence at Clarence House in London. They have four children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. Their first child, Prince Charles( Charles Philip Arthur George)was born Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace In the summer of 1951 the health of King george Vi entered into a serious decline
5 party in Parliament, and the cabinet. The cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister from among his or her party. The Prime Minister also appoints about 25 ministers outside the cabinet, as well as 50 junior ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament, consisting of the monarch, the hereditary and appointive House of Lords, and the elected House of Commons. The 659 members of the House of Commons are elected to five-year terms, although the Prime Minister may call general elections at any time. The British Government is composed of three tiers: (1) the central government, (2) the county government, and (3) the district government. The central government of the UK is made up of three parts: (1) the monarch, (2) Parliament, and (3) the cabinet. ---Why do we say that the British system of government is constitutional monarchy? What is the meaning of the constitutional monarchy? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is said to be reigned over the Monarch, but she does not rule. Britain is regarded as a democracy in the Western World because the real power of government is invested with elective officials. The participation of the monarch in government, a kind of formality and historical legacy, is limited by the basic law known as the constitution (not necessarily in a written form). It is for this reason that the British system of government is known as constitutional monarchy. 1. The Monarchy The present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II, 11th generation of the House of Hanover (汉诺威王朝). Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926. She was the elder daughter of Albert, Duke of York, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Elizabeth II’s education was supervised by her mother and taught by a governess, Marion Crawford. She also had instruction from visiting teachers in music and languages. Early in 1947 Princess Elizabeth went with the king and queen to South Africa. After her return, there was an announcement of her marriage appointment to her distant cousin Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten of the Royal Navy, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The marriage took place in Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. On the eve of the wedding her father, the king, conferred upon the bridegroom the titles of Duke of Edinburgh. They took residence at Clarence House in London. They have four children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. Their first child, Prince Charles (Charles Philip Arthur George) was born Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace. In the summer of 1951 the health of King George VI entered into a serious decline