英美文化概况_British_Government.pptVIP

British Government Key PointsThe constitutionThe MonarchyThe Executive (The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Privy Council)The Legislature: ParliamentThe JudiciaryLocal GovernmentPolitical PartiesMembership in International Organization Constitutional MonarchThe United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. A king or queen is the head of state, and a prime minister is the head of government. The people vote in elections for Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them. LegislatureParliament, the legislature, consists of the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the monarch (the Crown). The House of Commons is far more influential than the House of Lords, which in effect makes the British system unicameral (the legislature has one chamber). Constitutional MonarchyHead of State: Monarch (hereditary title) Head of Government: Prime Minister Executive: Government (consists of ministers and others) Legislature: Parliament (659 in House of Commons, more than 660 in House of Lords) Highest Court: House of Lords (Lord Chancellor is head of judiciary) Voting Qualifications: All citizens age 18 and over ConstitutionThe UK doesnt have a single, written constitution. But this doesnt mean that the UK has an ‘unwritten constitution’.In fact, it is mostly written – but instead of being one formal document, the British constitution is formed from various sources including statute law, case law made by judges, and international treaties.There are also some unwritten sources, including parliamentary conventions and royal prerogatives. ConstitutionThe British constitution comprises multiple documents. The written part consists of the Magna Carta, written in 1215; the Petition of Right, passed by Parliament in 1628; and the Bill of Rights of 1689. It also includes the entire body of laws enacted by Parliament, precedents established by decisions made in British courts of law, and various traditions and customs.The British Constitution is made up of