英语国家社会与文化入门期末论文

The comparison of political system between The United Kingdom and the United States

摘要

英国、美国都是典型的西方民主制国家，但两国政治制度中的政体设计却各有不同，分形成了议会制、总统制。但他们都创制了两院制的立法机构，承担所有成文法律的制定与修改。英国将议会分为上院与下院，美国将议会分为参议院和众议院。

关键字：政治制度、两院制、立法机构

I Introduction

As we all know,once the United kingdom was called the empire which sun never down.After it went through World War I and World War II,thus Britain was then in an apparently strong economic position,a position it clearly no longer occupies,which indicates some sort of decline.In the meantime,America rouse abruptly.In 1783,the treaty of Paris was sighed and Britain had to recognize the independence of the United States.A new American nation was thus born.At present,it becomes the superpower nation.Why do the two nation so develop so fast?I think one of the most important reason is their advanced and progressive political system.

II the comparison of the political system between

By learning their political systems,it can deepen our understanding about political civilization and we can learn its advantageous part and improve our own political system.So,I will make a comparison of the two nations’ basic political system.

I The Constitution’s comparison

British governance today is bases upon the terms and conditions of the constitution.But it has no written constitutions of the sort which most countries have.Instead of having one particular document which lists out the basic principles of how a country should be governed,the foundations of the British state are laid out in

statue law,the common laws and conventions.So its constitutional system is so complicated.

On the contrary,America has its own written constitutions which is formed the first in the whole world.The constitution set up a federal system with a strong central government.A federal system is one in which power is shared between a central authority and its constituent parts,with some rights reserved to each.

II Political parties’ comparison

The political parties play an important role in the western political system and have ultimate connections among the election,parliament,cabinet and so on.Therefore,it is very important to clearly realize them.

Today,The United States has two major political parties.One is the Democratic Party whose symbol is the donkey.The other is the Republic Party whose symbol is the elephant.When the constituency is elected as president.he will become the representative of that party.Then,the governing party has the executive power without legislative power.Because America carries out the separation of power.

For the United Kingdom,there is the party in power and shadow party.The leader of the party in power has the executive power and legislative power and can organize the cabinet.And the shadow party

make enough comparison for the next election.

III The legislation’s comparison

I n America,the legislative institute is Congress.Its members are made up of elected representatives from all of the states and this is the only legislation branch that can make federal laws,levy federal taxes,declare war or put foreign treaties into effect.It consists of a Congress that is divided into two house:the house of Representative and the Senate.The house of Representatives’ lawmakers can serve two-year terms.After 2 years,it is necessary to elect the lawmakers again. The Senate’s lawmakers can serve six-year terms.The term of the senators are staggered,so that only one -third of the Senate is elected every two years.Each house member represents a district in his or her home state.What is more,the status and right of the two houses is equal.Also,the legislative right is exerted by two houses.

In Britain,Parliament can pass laws and is supreme because it alone has the power to change the terms of the constitution.It consists of two houses:House of Lords and House of Commons.Lords,who were summoned “by name”,are not elected and are not considered to represent anyone besides themselves.The House of Commons’ member of Parliament is elected by General Elections.It is held every five years.In the General Election,the party which gets the majority vote becomes the party in power.The leader of this party is appointed as the prime minister

by queen or king.To ensure good relations between Crown and Parliament,the king or queen met regularly with a group of important Parliamentarians,a group which became known as the Cabinet.

IV the institute of government’s comparison

The oldest institute of government is the Monarchy which is used in Britain.At the beginning,the power of the monarchy was largely derived from the ancient doctrine of the “divine right of kings”.So the king has the absolute and infinite rights.Through evolving many years later,the executive right has been transferred into the Cabinet’s

hands.Afterwards,the mutual relations among the parliament,cabinet and the king or queen finally arm confirmed.

America is a federal country.It has the following features: First,the president governs the chief executive of the United

States.Also,his power are formidable,but not without

limitations.Second,the executive branch and the legislative branch is separate and affect each other.This system works in many ways to keep serious mistakes from being made by one branch or another.

To sum up,the two countries have their own national historical trace.There are some similarities.Both countries have multi-party system in the political parties.Everyone has the election right.Considering the two countries’ different conditions and history,there exists distinct difference in the political systems.

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