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Levels of Government

Levels of Government. Unitary System: National Government is supreme Regional governments derive all power from national. Confederate System: Local government is supreme National govt. derives all power from local. Federal System (Federalism):

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Levels of Government

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  1. Levels of Government • Unitary System: • National Government is supreme • Regional governments derive all power from national. • Confederate System: • Local government is supreme • National govt. derives all power from local. • Federal System (Federalism): • Power/Authority is divided between national and regional. • U.S. system

  2. United Kingdom: Unitary System • Devolution: • Delegating decision-making to local public bodies. • 1998 Good Friday Agreement • Created a local parliament in N. Ireland • 1999: Creation of Scottish and Welsh Regional Assemblies • Taxation • Education • Economic Planning • 2000: Direct election of Mayor of London

  3. The Monarchy • No real power • Technically “names” new prime minister • Opens each session of Parliament with “Queen’s Speech.” • Written by majority party.

  4. House of Lords • Very little power • Can only temporarily delay legislation • 1911 Reform of Lords • Power Stripped • Commons Supreme

  5. House of Lords • Pre-1999 • Most Lords were hereditary peers. • Post-1999 • Most Lords are life peers. • Appointed to nonhereditary positions. • About 25 Anglican Bishops are Lords.

  6. Parliament • Parliamentary Sovereignty • Parliament’s decisions are final. • Parliamentary System • Head of Government chosen by legislature • Fusion of Power • Authority concentrated in one body. • No “separation of powers” b/n executive and legislative

  7. Prime Minister • MP from majority party, or coalition party. • Traditionally, a more senior member of the party. • Head of executive branch. • Residence: 10 Downing Street

  8. Prime Minister & Cabinet“First Among Equals” • Chooses cabinet members • Cabinet members: usually senior party members • Not necessarily experts in their field Partial List of Cabinet • Prime Minister • Deputy Prime Minister • Chancellor of Exchequer • Home Secretary • Defense Secretary • Justice Secretary • Health Secretary • Education Secretary • Business Secretary • Work and Pensions Secretary

  9. Prime Minister & Cabinet“First Among Equals” • Prime Minister makes policy decisions in cabinet, with agreement of ministers. • Collective Responsibility: • Cabinet, leaders of party, do not dissent from Prime Minister in public. • “Cabinet Government” • Power of Cabinet in shaping/controlling policy

  10. Question Time • Debate occurs once a week • Prime Minister and Cabinet must defend their policies. • One of the few opportunities for opposition to “check” the majority.

  11. Key Components of House of Commons • Speaker of the House • Chief Officer • Keeps order during debates • Remains impartial • Renounces party affiliation • Doesn’t vote

  12. Prime Minister and Cabinet • Sit to the right of the Speaker • Leader of Opposition and “Shadow Cabinet” • Appointed by head of opposition • Monitor and criticize the actions of their equivalents in govt. Width of center aisle=distance of two drawn swords

  13. Backbenchers • Rank-and-file Members of Parliament (MP) who are not part of the Cabinet or Shadow Cabinet.

  14. Serjeant at Arms with Mace • Symbolizes authority of the House of Commons.

  15. The Bar of the House • Only MPs are allowed beyond the Bar.

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