英美国家概况(英国部分)Unit 3 Political system
英美政治制度
英美政治制度The Political Systems of the United States and United Kingdom (UK)The United States and the United Kingdom, two influential democratic countries with rich histories and global impacts, each have their own unique political systems. While both systems are built on democratic principles and have many similarities, there are also distinct differences between them.The United States, as a federal republic, operates under a system known as a presidential system. The country is divided into 50 states, each with its own government, and a central federal government. The President of the United States is the head of state and government and is elected by the citizens through an electoral college system. The president serves as the chief executive and has the power to veto bills passed by the Congress. The Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for making and passing laws. The members of the Congress are elected by the people through direct voting.On the other hand, the United Kingdom operates under a constitutional monarchy system with a parliamentary democracy. The monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch and is the leader of the majority party or coalition in the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the UK Parliament. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by the people in their respective constituencies. The House of Lords, the upper chamber, consists of appointed members,including life peers and bishops.One key difference between the two systems is the role of the head of state. In the United States, the president holds both the ceremonial role as the head of state and the executive power as the head of government. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, the queen or king serves as the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister holds the executive power. This distinction allows the United Kingdom to separate the monarchy's symbolic role from the political decision-making process.Another difference lies in the election processes. In the United States, the president is elected by an electoral college, a group of electors from each state who vote for the president. This system was put in place to balance the interests of both the states and the population. In contrast, in the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister is not elected directly but is chosen by the majority party or coalition in the House of Commons. The citizens vote for their local MPs, who then choose the Prime Minister.The United States and the United Kingdom both have effective systems of checks and balances, ensuring the division of powers and preventing abuse of power. However, the specific mechanisms differ. In the United States, the Constitution sets forth a system of checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The president's power to veto legislation and the Supreme Court's authority to interpret laws are examples of these checks. In the United Kingdom, the parliamentary system provides checks and balances through debates, questioning, and scrutiny by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.In conclusion, while both the United States and the United Kingdom have democratic political systems, they differ in their governance structure and election processes. The United States operates under a presidential system, with the president holding both the ceremonial and executive powers. On the other hand, the United Kingdom operates under a constitutional monarchy system with a parliamentary democracy, separating the roles of the head of state and the head of government. Both systems have been effective in maintaining democracy and ensuring the separation of powers.。
Political_System 英美国家概况 教学课件
British government
• Government
– Queen’s, David Cameron’s, or Conservative government
• Whitehall Street
– executive agencies
• Downing Street
– prime minister’s residence
Chapter 3 Political System
Monarch (non-political) Formal Head of State and Commonwealth
Legislature Executive
Judiciary
Legislature Parliament (political) House of Commons chaired by Speaker. 659 elected MPs (semi-political) House of Lords(before reform) hereditary and life peers (after reform) Appointed and elected
Departments), all Prime Minster
MPs, form Cabinet House of Lords is Also Junior Minsiters the highest Court.
Civil Service (non-political) Permanent official employed by government. Advise ministers and implement policy. Top officials popularly known as mandarins.
英语国家概况Chapter3
A Guide to English-Speaking Countries
2.1.2
Queen
Queen Elizabeth II
Born: April 21, 1926 Queen since June 2, 1953
• • • •
the Bill of Rights (1689) the Reform Act (1832) the European Communities Act (1972) the European Communities (Amendment) Act (1986)
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press
A Guide to English-Speaking Countries
2.1.2
Queen
In reality, she does everything on the advice of the Prime Minister, and her role is “ceremonial, unpolitical and symbolic”: State opening of the Parliament Royal assent to new law Meeting with the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace Pay state visits to Commonwealth countries as head of state and non-Commonwealth countries on behalf of the British government
英美概况-英国政体
Literature of the Revolution Period
the Puritans two types of writers
two antagonistic(敌对的)camps:
the Royalists the Puritan type the Cavalier type
English literature of the Revolution and restoration period was very much concerned with the tremendous social upheavals of the time.
Important Points
• • • • • 1. Three kinds of poets. Puritan poet(清教徒派诗人), Cavalier poet(保皇派诗人), the Metaphysical poet(玄学派诗人). 2. Literary term: Metaphysical poetry (玄学派诗歌)
• The Civil Wars • James I (1603-1625) and the Parliament • Charles I (1625-1649) • Cromwell as Lord Protector • The new Parliament ——导火索
The English Civil War
The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars C. There were two sides to the argument: people who
supported the king (royalists) and people who supported the Parliament’s power (parliamentarians). D.The fundamental reason was the conflict between the economic interests of the urban middle classes represented by the Parliament and the feudal landowners represented by the Crown. E. But it wasn’t just a war over politics: it was a war between two systems of social ( Traditional system and New system ) a economic development. • Consequences : A. The English Civil War not only overthrew feudal system England but also shook the foundation of the feudal rule i
英美概况英国部分Word版
Chapter OneBritishSection one :the country and its people and position :name : The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (U.K)position：To the west and off the European Continent, containing the Great Britain and the northern part of Ireland.Territory proportion: approximately 240,000 square km.Population : 62.262millionThree political parts: England, Wales and Scotland England (capital city: London):the biggest ,the most developed as well as the most populated country in the U.K (capital city: London)Scotland (capital city:Edinburgh):Wales :smallest partIreland :Henry VIII was the first king to bring Ireland under control; gain its independence in 1927.2.Geographic Features:Northeast to the European Continent and east to the Atlantic, to its northeast is a channel called English Channel between the U.K and France. Neighboring country that share border : Ireland only Britain is an island country, more than1,000kilometres from south to north and 500kilometres form east to west.High Land zone：in north and westLow Land zone: in the south and east (including London).3.English TunnelFinished in 1994,was build up by private companies from U.K and France.4. Climate and Weather :Climate : maritime climate .Main character : abundant and evenly distributed rainfall. Autumn is the rainiestseasonInfluential factors: North Atlantic Drift(warm)Southwesterly wind(warm and wet.winter)Weather: changeable5.inland water :Longest river : Severn RiverMost important and second longest river: Thames River Lakes :in the Lake District6.People and languages :Main peoples: Celts and Anglo-SaxonsLanguages :English is overwhelming, some people in speaks Geltic Language7.Religion:The majority of the British people believe Christianity.Religious education and collective worship are required by British law.8.national flag :The Union Jack or Union FlagSection two : the British Government1.Political system：Constitutional MonarchyDefinition : it means the head ofstate is monarch withlimited powers.Themonarch reigns(统治), butdoes not rule（统制）ernment Component:Central government :consists of Monarch, Parliament and CabinetLocal governments3.Structure of the British government:The head ---- monarchLegislature institution : Parliament(consists House ofCommons and House of Lords)Executive Institution: Cabinet(consists of Prime Minister and Ministers of Civil service)Judicial Institution: court of appeal(supreme court)subordinate to House Of Lord4.Definations:The general idea of government :Technically speaking, British government or refers to the Cabinet(nuclear).This kind of government is called Parliamentary government or Cabinet government.The queen (Victoria ,Elizabeth….) ：Reigns but does not rulepersonifies the country,the symbol of unityAppoint the Prime Minister and other Ministers,the bills need her approval before going into effectThe parliament :Law making body ,need the approval of the monarchConsists of three parts: the monarch, the House Of Lord and the House of Common,It don’t have the executive power.The House Of Lord:The upper house of the Parliament ,unelected, consist of clergy(神职人员) and members of peerage.Debating place:the Palace of WestminsterBestowed with judicial power.The Lord Chancellor:the presider of The House Of Lord as well as a member in Cabinet, he works in Department for Constitutional Affairs.head of the judiciary of England and Wales,serving as the President of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.The house of common:The centre of the parliamentary powerMain function:to pass laws, bills and acts of Parliamentto scrutinize, criticize and restrain the actions ofthe governmentto influence the future government policyDefinition :democratically elected bodythe source of the vast majority of government ministers There is a elected speakerbills normally originate in the House of Commons. Only the House of Commons may originate bills concerning taxation or SupplyThe cabinet :responsible to Parliament for the administration of national affairs.The Cabinet is the most powerful and it serves as the nucleus of the Government.Debate place :Downing street.No 10 Downing Street is a historic building that is also a place of work. It is a symbol of Government and the home to the Prime Minister and his family. Establishment time：1856supreme decision-making bodyThe Prime Minister :monarch's principal advisorappointed by monarchNo 10 Downing Street is a historic building that is also a place of work. It is a symbol of Government and the home to the Prime Minister and his family.Local government :The English government is a three-tiered government: central government, county government and district government. The central government enforces laws through local governments.Section 3:British Laws and Politics Laws :judiciary &constitutionJudiciary :In the structure of the U.K central government, the Court of Appeal, which is subordinate to the House of Lord, is in charge of the judiciary issues.British judiciary consists of 2 branches-------civil law（citizen s’duties and obligations） criminal law(define and enforce obligations of a person)，It’s not necessary to pick up jury in the course of the civil trail while criminal trails have to be held in open court for the criminal law assume the innocent of the accused until he was proved to be guilty by a smoking gun.(reasonable doubt) In the process of the criminal trail by jury. The judge pass the result issued by the jury.Jury system(mostly used in criminal trial)Definition :In the United kingdom the court is open to the public and the jury is used during the trial.12members,random selection,obligation, chosen by both side(the plaintiff and the defendant)Unanimous verdictConstitution :No written constitution in U.K, it’s function is embodied by several separate lawsFour elements of the British legal ：acts of the parliament/Statutory Law（国内成文法）, common law(公民法),convention(惯例、习惯法),EU legislation（欧盟法）Barrister -------inn court, bar examinationPolitics :Politic system :a two-party political system.▪political parties:▪the Whig Party—Liberal Party▪the Tory Party—Conservative Partymajority seats in the Parliament means the power to form a government (government party, opposition parties )Government policies are initiated by whipsThere is no need to apply for membership in a party.The conservative party ----right wing---oldMain support----middle and upper-middle class. Advocation :privatization of the state owned firmsfree enterpriseadvocate :pragmatismindividualism.Margaret ThatcherThe labor party------left wing/the leftCreated by trade unionMixture of the two partiesDoctrine of SocialismMain support :Working classAdvocation :Establish a welfare stateNationalized industryExercise control over the private industries to revive the primary industryLiberal Democratic-----minority partyadvocates policies based on freedom of the individual and supports the adoption of Propositional Representation at elections(代议制选举)Election:Prime Ministers are elected from national Constituency (选区)Period： 5 yearsGovernment :the party has the majority seats of the parliament.Prime Minister :the leader of the majority party.Section 4:national economy and major cities1. General Survey :first country to start industrial revolution;comprehensive industry systemmineral production：mainly exhausted, others are mainly oil and gaseconomy model :one of the most essential market economy in the world.Industry :⏹comprehensive industry system⏹one of the seven major industrialized countries ofthe Western Worldfinance :London is one of the financial centre of the world’s businesstrade:long coastline ,limited domestic market ,inadequate raw material ,trading nation, petroleum tradeAs for Sino-British trade:China: raw materials, sideline productsBritain: technical equipmentBritain is China's 4th biggest European trade partnereconomic influence :one of the seven major industrialized countries of the Western World, the member of the G8 summitFramework of economy :Economy system : capitalism ,including Public Sector and Private Sector.GDP: The world’s sixth largest economyCurrency: sterlingMining :Oil(.self sufficient .North sea,1975) ,Gas, and Coal (be kept for future use)Manufacturing Industry:Iron and steel industry is the largest manufacturingindustry.A large auto-vehicle industry------Aston Martin,Land Rover, Dodge, and Rolls Royce.Agriculture :favorable condition : mild climate ,Highly mechanized ,Important department :Dairy farming and fishinganimal husbandryPoultry ['pəʊltrɪ]meatEnergy productionMajor Energy Companies: Shell, British Petroleum[pɪ'trəʊlɪəm](BP), British Gas (BG)TransportationWell-known merchant marineOne of the busiest railways in the worldDeveloped highways and airlines (the major airline are mainly operated by the British airways(state-owned) Communication (all state-owned)One of the largest and most developed in the world “999”for police, fireman and ambulanceLargest telecommunication provider-----BT(British Tele communication)FinanceCentral bank of the UK：controls the currency and actsmaintain the integrity and value of the currencyEconomy structuresServices industries, especially, business and financial services—the strongest performing sector in the UK economy with London being the most developed area in the whole country.major citiesLondon•南岸，伦敦眼摩天轮•杜莎夫人蜡像馆／天文馆（Madame Tussaud's/Planetarium）•伦敦塔•伦敦地牢•敞篷巴士伦敦观光游（The Original London Tour）•议会大厦（Houses of Parliament）夏季对外开放•西区和威斯敏斯特大教堂（Westminster Abbey）观光•达利的世界展览馆（Dali Universe）•汉普顿宫（Hampton Court Palace）•肯辛顿宫（Kensington Palace）BelfastManchesterCardiff EdinburgBirminghamChapter twoSection 5 :Origin of the English NationThe native Celt :Celt are considered to be the natives of Great Britain and the ancestors of the Scots, Irish and Welsh peopleOriginate from：Eastern and central EuropeRoman Conquest：Brought about Christianity.Occupied England until 410 A.DLater on, the Jutes and Angles landed, the Angles(the winner) gave the name to England and English people..Alfred the Great.First (Anglo-Saxon )king of (all) England“The father of the British navy.”The battle of HastingsHarold GodwinsonBrave and respectful, but not the direct heir of the throne. But he managed to crown himself the king by wining the support of the WitanWilliam the ConquerorEdward’s cousinSet out from Normandy to English south coast Battlefield :Build up a fort and camped in Hasting, southeastern England.Result : William won, battle abbey mourn for the dead Be crowned in Westminster on Christmas day of 1066,becoming the first Anglo-Norman king of England.Influence :Sped up the development of feudalism in Britain, after the war, the feudalism system was established. Build up the tower of LondonFeudal aristocracy was established.Open up a bi-lingual period in English historyLast invasion of England initiated by foreignersFeudalism system:Established by William the great.The throne provides the land and castlesThe monarch will need the support from the barons Definition :feudal system - giving land in return for service.Section 6: the decline of feudalism in EnglandHenry II and His Reform :William consolidated the feudalism and he took all kinds of measures to strengthen the king’s power, which intensify the conflicts between the monarch andhis baronsHenry the 2nd came into power and become the first king of Plantagenet (金雀花)dynasty.Measures：force the foreign mercenaries to leave the England, demolish the illegal castles built by the barons, abolish the land tax based on hidecreate the circuit courts and the jury systemthe king’s court have the right to try the guilty clerkEffect:Strengthen the feudal orderBring a period of security and prosperityThe course of the form was interrupted and left unfinished.The Great CharterWhen the king John ruled the England, the baronsforce the king to sign and swear to observe the Great Charter.The Great Charter ,or the Magna Charter is very critical in English history and it’s called the corner stone of English history.The content :The king must observe the rights of his vessels.No tax should be imposed without the consent of the Great Council.No free man will be imprisoned or banished without being convicted by a juryThe merchants are allowed to move about freely.Birth of the Parliament:Simon de Montfort(西蒙德孟福尔)brings changes to the organization of the Great Council.2citizens from a flourishing town,2 knights from each county can join the Great Council.Changed the name into Parliament.In the early years, Parliament met only by the king’s invitation. It’s role was to offer someadvice.Significance :The Parliament marked the decline of feudalism and the rise of the Bourgeoisie.The hundred year’s warReason:The conflict between these two countries over foreign markets and territory led to the Hundred Years' War.Definition :A series armed international conflicts over a116-year period between the England and France.Joan of arcThe effect:England lost its territory on the continent.The ruling Norman began to regard England as their homeEnglish replaced French and became the official language again.Gunpowder was used in the wars,Prepare the soil for the growth of the middle class Sped up the decline of the feudalism.Salutary to commercial development.The bourgeoisie became more powerfulThe PlagueEpidemic disease spread by rat fleasStart from Italy, then spread to France, German and England without warning and cure.Believed to be originated in Asia.Effect:Caused a large number of population lossBrought about economic disruption and bad influence on the development of the culture.(universities closed …)give occasion to the peasants uprising.The Peasants UprisingCauses:The natural disasters and social problemsDue to the lack of labor, the peasants are demanding better living condition and higher wagesThe first labor law, the Statute of Laborers, prohibited laborers from asking for more wages. Time and place:In Essex and Kent ,1381,and was led by Wat Tyler and Jack StrawThe king used a scam and suppressed the uprising, ultimately, the uprising was failedEffect :The poll tax was abolishedThe serf system was brought to an end in England afterwards.The Wars of the RosesDefinition :A series of civil wars fought between the house of Lancaster(red rose) and the house of York（white rose）.Major Causes:The dispute on the succession of the crownThe unpopular domination reign of Henry the 6th. Consequence :Both sides at war are the mounted knights and theirentouragesGive birth to the strong and centralized Tudor dynastyInfluence :Sped up the decline of the feudalism in England.Section 8:The English Civil War/RevolutionBriefing :A series of armed conflicts and political games between Parliamentarians and Royalist.Back Ground:The Wars of Roses weaken the feudal nobles,The peasants ,as a result of the peasant uprising and the Enclosure ,the free labors composed a new class------the proletariat (the peasants no longer have their lands)England further develop its foreign trade and expansion ,aiming to achieve its “primitive accumulation of capital”Meanwhile，the bourgeois ideology and morality is forming up.During the Elizabeth’s reign the relation between monarch and bourgeoisie was strained, the latter required the freedom of speechJames the first:Preach the Divine Right of KingsDied because of disease.Charles the first:The son of James the first.Advocate the Divine right of kings(君权神授) Provoked the conflicts between the Catholicism and Puritanism(The Bishops’ War---- enforce Anglican reforms onto Scottish church and was rejected,-----war ,long parliament which sowed the seeds for the civil war).Initiated the British Civil (rose his standard) War between Parliamentarian and Royalist.The First British War:Cause :The appearance of the Long Term Parliament.The tension between the king and Parliament Charles decided to arrest 5members of Parliament. Charles initiated the war by rising his standard in Nottingham .Result :Charles was failed and was capturedThe Second Civil War:Process:Although captured ,the king Charles the first ultimately escaped and negotiated new agreement withScots.The agreement led to the “second civil war”. but eventually, the Royalists were defeated by Parliamentarians.Other revolts were put down by Oliver Cromwell.The army marched on the parliament and conducted the “Pride’s Purge” Finally, the king was charged with high treason ,being “tyrant, traitor, murderer and public enemy” and executed.The third Civil war:Rebellion:Ireland(treaty) and Scotland agreed to support Charles the second.Process:Cromwell was unable to stop Charles the second, hecrowned a new king. Afterwards, Charles the 2nd fled to France, ended up the war.Significance:Overthrew feudal system in England.Pave the way for the development of capitalist production.Regarded as the beginning of the modern world history.Oliver Cromwell:Established the commonwealth of EnglandDestroyed the feudal system.Became the Lord ProtectorThe restoration :AnarchyIncompetent leader RichardFactionsGeneral George Monck marched south with his army from Scotland.Charles the 2nd was crowned the king of England, which was known as English Restoration.After the restoration, the parliament factions become two parties(later becoming the Tory and Whig)The Glorious Revolution:James the 2nd intended to restore the Roman Catholicism in England and conduct religious persecutionsTories and some of the Whigs decide to replace James the 2nd with his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange(奥兰治亲王威廉)---both were protestants Finally ,James the second abdicatedMary II and William III jointly succeeded to the throne of EnglandSignificance:Regarded as the real beginning of constitutional monarchy ,which means the parliament become thesource of supreme power instead of the king Parliament pass the “Act of Union”and the name of Great Britain was officially adopted and came into use.Section 9:The Industrial Revolution Definition : the invention and appliance of various machines and British urbanization.Condition :The accomplished “primitive accumulation of capital” through plunder and expansion.The enclosure movement provide free labor.The church was deprived of their land and privilege The notorious triangular trade.Favorable geographical position for tradeHuge merchant marine.Pragmatism and mercantilismProtestant “work ethic” and laissez-faire(放任政策)People s’ adventure spiritProcess:The Industrial Revolution first started in textile industry.Iconic inventions:Flying shuttle,carding machine（梳棉机） ,spinning jenny,water framethe steam engine. Watt steam engine was first used to pump water from coal mine.First steam locomotive.(marked the new stage of Industrial Revolution).Achievements of IR:Thousands of miles of canalsA complete railway system.Steam boats and the largest commercial fleet made Great Britain a strong sea power.Social and Political effect:1.Britain became the “workshop of the world”.2.The Britain ‘s social structure was simplified: The middle class and proletariat emerged,The noble class could no longer compete with the middle class.The conflicts between proletariat and capitalism became the biggest social problem in Britain.The small farmers disappeared3.The centre of economy shifted to the central area and northern England.Big cities sprang up.Adam Smith：An evolutionary approach to guide the economy. Advocate the “invisible hand”and laissez-fair policy.The Chartist Movements:A radical campaign for parliament reform of the inequities.Effects :failed because of its weak and divided leadership, it did not have a political party to be a leader.started the history of the workers’ struggle for liberation.Queen Victoria（1819-1901） :Presiding the Industrial revolution and the expansion of the British Empire overseas.Value of the times: (emphasized) prudish gentility and repression.Section 10:The Rise and Fall of the British Empire.（the empire on which the sun never sets）Briefing :During the long 18 century, British rose to a dominant position in the world and became the first country to start Industrial Revolution.The mighty middle class provided a strong platform for settlement and commerce.Growth of the overseas empire:Prerequisite :Pioneering marine policy of king Henry the 7th . Establishment of the modern merchant marine system. Mercantile institution(重商主义体系)Henry the 8th and the rise of the Royal Navy:King Henry the 8th founded the modern English navy.The Elizabeth eraSir Francis Drake(弗朗西斯-德雷克)Circumnavigated the Globe（环游地球，England grew the interest outside the Europe.Established First colony in NewfoundlandWas seen as the formation of the British Empire England extend its influence overseas and consolidate its political development at home.Expend the empire by wars and colonization:First overseas colony Newfoundland.Successively establish colonies in North America, Australia and New Zealand.Free trade and“informal empire”The “salutary neglects”provoke the American Independence war. The period of first British Empire was over.British Empire in AsiaBritish East India company occupied nearly the whole of India.Later on Ceylon(锡兰，今斯里兰卡)and Burma (缅甸) was conquered .Initiated Opium war against China and prevailed .Break down of the Pax Britannica(英国强权下的盛世) The deterioration in the 19th century:Competition from other countries such as Germany and United States.The loss of the foreign market.Britain and the New Imperialism:New imperialism ：the European colonial expansion between 1870s and the outbreak of the first world war. Pursuit :“empire for empire’s sake” desire for territory(appearance of the racial superiority)Later on Britain conduct Home rule in its white settler coloniesThe impact of first world war:Millions of casualties and heavy economy strain (liquidated assets).(Allied power)The heavy cost of war destroy it’s capacity to maintain its vast empire.Its international standing was declining and replaced by the U.SDeclining foreign trade.Decolonization:Reasons:The rising anti-colonial nationalism movementschallenge the power of the empire.The end of the empire started with the outbreak of the World War Two and India independence movements(leader---mahatma Gandhi)The end of the British Empire:Reason: Due to the impact of the world war two and Economic crisis in1947,later on, Britain abjured its attempt to be a first-rank power.。
英语国家概况Unit3History1(UK)
countries Unit3history1 (uk)
目录
• Background of British History • The evolution of the British political system • The Development History of the British
Expansion of trade
Britain's economy became increasingly integrated with the global economy, with the country exporting manufactured goods and importing raw materials from around the world.
Development of constitutional monarchy
Over time, the power of the monarchy was gradually limited by laws and customs, leading to the emergence of constitutional monarchy.
Land ownership
Under feudalism, land was owned by the king and granted to noblemen in return for their loyalty and military service.
Rights and obligations
Modern Britain
• Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century, transforming the country from an agrarian society to an industrialized nation.
4.Political system(2)英国政治系统,英美概况
The Lords Temporal (世俗贵族)
The hereditary peers
Duke (公爵) Marquis (侯爵) Earl (伯爵) Viscount (子爵) Baron (男爵)
The life peers a reward for public service
The House of Lords
Life Peers
Appointment
By the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister Cannot pass the title on to his or her children
Qualification
For people’s outstanding careers
The Upper House The Lords Spiritual & the Lords Temporal Lords are not elected.
They have inherited the seat from their fathers. They have been appointed by the sovereign.
British Government
British government is controlled by a parliament which has been elected by the people. The highest positions in the government are filled by members of the directly elected parliament. That is, an MP (usually a member of an opposition party) puts forward a statement for the MPs to vote on saying that “This house no longer has confidence in the Government”.
英美国家概况
英美国家概况第一章Land and People英国的国土与人民I. Different Names for Britain and its Parts英国的不同名称及其各组成部分1.Geographical names: the British Isles, Great Britain and England.地理名称：不列颠群岛，大不列颠和英格兰。
2.Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.官方正式名称：大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国。
3.The British Isles are made up of two large islands-Great Britain (the larger one) and Ireland, and hundreds of small ones.不列颠群岛由两个大岛—大不列颠岛（较大的一个）和爱尔兰岛，及成千上万个小岛组成。
4.Three political divisions on the island of Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales.大不列颠岛上有三个政治区：英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士。
(1) England is in the southern part of Great Britain. It is the largest, most populous section.英格兰位于大不列颠岛南部，是最大，人口最稠密的地区。
(2) Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. It has three natural zones (the Highlands in the north; the Central lowlands; the south Uplands) Capital: Edinburgh苏格兰位于大不列颠的北部。
- 1、下载文档前请自行甄别文档内容的完整性，平台不提供额外的编辑、内容补充、找答案等附加服务。
- 2、"仅部分预览"的文档,不可在线预览部分如存在完整性等问题,可反馈申请退款(可完整预览的文档不适用该条件!)。
- 3、如文档侵犯您的权益，请联系客服反馈,我们会尽快为您处理(人工客服工作时间：9:00-18:30)。
The House of Lords also has a right to vote on bills so they’re part of the legislative but the Lords also contains the Law Lords who are an important part of the judiciary.
The PM is an active member of the legislative, yet also the leading member of the executive.
The Lord Chancellor is a member of the cabinet and therefore of the executive as well as being head of the judiciary.
Legislature Executive Judiciary
Legislature = Parliament
Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK – the institution responsible for making and repealing (废止) all the UK laws. It’s also known as the Legislature.
The beginning of a new session, called the “State Opening of Parliament” , takes place in the House of Lords.
It’s a tradition for the monarch to open Parliament in person.
Golden State Coach
From Buckingham to Westminster
The Throne in the Upper House
Black Rod
Knock 3 times
The Queen will then read out the Queen’s Speech, a document about 1,000 words in length prepared by the government.
On the day, the Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to Parliament in the State Coach , a golden carriage.
Once the Queen arrives at Parliament, the Union Flag is lowered and replaced by the Royal Standard.
3. What is a constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Britain?
4. How did the Labor Party come into being?
5. Why and how did the English Parliament come into being?
Contents
1. Monarchy 2. Parliament 3. Government 4. Cabinet 5. Political Parties 6. General Election
1. Constitutional Monarchy
The King or Queen is the personification of the State.
As with the PM, the members of the Cabinet are also members of the legislative who have the right, as an MP, to vote on issues.
Separation of Power
Separation of Power
The House of Commons
The most powerful and important element in UK.
Three main functions: 1) Make laws; 2) Control and criticize the executive government; 3) Control the raising and spending of money
Basic Structure of UK Central Government
Monarch (non-political)
Legislature -- Parliament
Executive
Judiciary
(non-political)
House of Commons (political)
Which part is the most dominant one in the parliament?
When was the parliamentary system
instituted in Britain? (in the 13th century)
The English parliament developed out of the King’s council of the 13th century. The House of Lords is the oldest part of Parliament. In the 14th century, parliament was formally divided into 2 parts: Lords and Commons. Until the 17th century, parliament was ruled by the King. The Glorious Revolution in 1688 marked the decisive shift in power from monarchy to Parliament. Since 1832, the year of the first Reform Act, the House of Commons has become more important
There’s actually no separation of power between the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary.
This principle of dividing the functions of government is meant to ensure that there’s no excessive use or abuse of power by any small group of people.
Parliament consists of 3 constituent parts: Crown (Official Head) House of Lords (the Upper House) House of Commons (the Lower House)
What’s the meaning of “parliament”? (A place for argument and debate)
Function:
Make all the UK laws; Scrutinize (审查) government policy & administration; Hear appeals (上诉) in the highest Court of Appeal in Britain;（The House of Lords) Debate the major issues of the day.
What is the speech about?
In the document the government outlines its planned programmes and the policies it intends to follow.
When the one-week debates on the Queen’s speech are finished, Parliament is ready to begin the actual work of the new session.
House of Lords (semi-political)
Prime Minister &
Cabinet (political)
House of Lords
Ministers &
Civil service (non-political)
Court of Appeal
Separation of Power, British Style
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Unit 3
Political system
Warming-up Activities
The Constitution
Britain doesn’t have a constitution written down in a single document. The constitution flows from 6 sources:
1) The Royal Prerogatives 2) Statute Laws 3) Common Laws 4) Conventions 5) Authoritative Opinions 6) European Union Laws