当代英国概况 课件 The System of Government.ppt

Chapter 13 System of Government No more distressing moment can ever face a British government than that which requires it to come to a hard, fast and specific decision. B. W. Tuchman (1912-89, American writer), August 1914 (1962) A parliament can do anything but make a man a woman, and a woman a man. -Henry Herbert( 1534-1601),2nd Earl of Pembroke Chapter Thirteen looks at the system of government in the United Kingdom. The chapter begins with a brief but comprehensive account of some social institutions and their different functions. Part Two deals with the law-making body of the state — Parliament, which consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. While the former until recently was a non-elected, non-salaried and non-representative group within the state, it has now undergone a major process of reform. Attention here is given to the democratically elected and more powerful House of Commons, with emphasis laid on its daily proceedings, its members’ accountability, and the process of their being selected and elected. Part Three of the chapter looks at the Executive by describing the role of the Sovereign, the respective responsibilities of Prime Minister and Cabinet, as well as the workings of the non-political Civil Service. The chapter concludes with a short description of local authorities, the general pattern of which is a three-layer one: county, district and community/parish councils. Among many other things, local government in Britain today is responsible for implementing laws and organizing a wide range of legally regulated public services. Focus questions What is the basic structure of the central government of the United Kingdom? What is the role of the Sovereign? What are the major responsibilities of Prime Minister and Cabinet in Britain? How do you understand the British Civil Service system: its past and present? How are the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons elected? How are those in the House of Lords selected? The