US vs UK Government Structures: A Presentation on Politics and Institutions

US Constitution

Written in 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and officially adopted by the 13 states which formed the country at that time in 1789, the Constitution of the United States is the world's oldest Constitution still in use.

It consists of a Preamble, seven articles and 27 amendments. The American Constitution is called 'a living document' as amendments can be added to adapt to changing situations.

The Preamble is the opening statement which lists the reasons why the 13 original English colonies separated from England to become an independent nation. It explains the Constitution's origin, fundamental purposes and guiding principles.

The seven articles divide the US government into three separate branches: the legislative branch (the bicameral Congress), the executive branch, led by the President, and the judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court. They also specify the powers and duties of each branch, with a balance of power so that no institution is dominant, and outline the powers and duties belonging to each of the states.

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The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights and were adopted in 1791 because some states only agreed to ratify the Constitution if the Bill of Rights was added. The amendments were written to guarantee all American citizens specific individual rights such as: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, the right to personal liberty, the right for any person charged with breaking the law to have a public trial with a jury of fellow citizens, the right to possess and carry weapons, and protection against excessive or cruel punishment.

Among the other amendments which were added later are: the abolition of slavery (1865), the prohibition of denial of rights because of ethnicity (1870), women's suffrage (1929) and suffrage from the age of 18 (1971).

The Bill of Rights ISTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS ATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PURE TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION. AMENDMENT I witness against himself, no. of life, liberty, or property process of law; nor shall pass be taken for public use, vol Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof; or abridging the Cepeech, or of the press; or the neaceably to assemble, ·ment for a compensation. AMENE In all criminal eres shall enjoy the ri trial, by an h.im Page 4

Activity 1: Preamble Explanations

23. Look at the underlined words in the Preamble to the Constitution and write them above their explanations (1-7). The first one has been done for you.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

0. the common defense The new nation remained extremely vulnerable to attacks by foreign nations and no individual state was strong enough to resist such attacks alone.

1. A previous attempt at a constitution, the Articles of Confederation, had left most power with the individual states and it was difficult to coordinate between them. The Constitution writers wanted the central government to have the most power.

2. The government needed to be able to keep peace within the nation's borders.

3. The lack of fair and equal treatment of the people had been the primary reason for the Declaration of Independence.

4. This word refers to the Americans of the future.

5. Freedom is a fundamental principle of the Constitution and American culture.

6. The document represents all American people in its opening words.

7. The well-being of American citizens would be a key responsibility of the federal government.

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Types of Government

Presidential Governments

The President is both a symbolic Head of State and practical Head of Government. Examples of Presidential Governments are rare in modern democracies with examples such as the USA, Mexico, and Brazil.

Parliamentary Governments

There is a symbolic Head of State in the form of a President or a Monarch. The constitutional prerogatives of the Head of the Government are generally exercised by the Prime Minister. Examples of Parliamentary Governments are the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

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The US Government

The United States is a Federal Constitutional Republic of 50 states with a Presidential Government. The Federal Government is based in Washington DC. The Head of State is the President who is also Head of the Executive and lives in the White House.

Each state enjoys large legislative and administrative autonomy in areas such as education, welfare, health care, transport and police while some other powers such as foreign policy, national defence, citizenship and finance belong to the Federal Government. Other powers such as levying taxes and building infrastructures are shared by Federal Government and State Governments.

Each State has its own Governor as the Chief Executive and its executive, legislative and judicial organs. It is divided into counties further subdivided into townships or municipalities, each responsible for its own local public services such as, for example, urban planning, emergency medical services, parks and recreation and fire services.

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UK Politics and Institutions

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UK 'Unwritten' Constitution

The British Constitution, unlike the constitutions of most modern states, is not written. It is formed by common law (unwritten laws that follow judges' decisions in legal cases), laws adopted by Parliament, 'conventions' or unwritten rules that have developed over the centuries, and international agreements. The main advantage of an unwritten constitution is that it can adapt readily to changing political conditions.

British history has a long tradition of constitutional documents that progressively eroded the power of the monarch and constituted the basis of the British unwritten Constitution. We will now talk further about the most important ones.

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UK 'Unwritten' Constitution: Key Documents

VOCAB:

To levy: imporre To seize: confiscare Breach: violazione Charter: documento costitutivo To wage war: dichiarare guerra

Magna Carta 1215

+ Euliste be Delci MAGNA CARTA LIBERTATUM (15th June 1215) King John (Lackland) was forced to sign the Magna Carta Libertatum by a group of nobles. By signing it, the King promised not to levy taxes without the approval of the nobles and the High Clergy and not to convict a noble or seize his property without a regular trial. For the first time a king was obliged to renounce part of his powers and for the first time there was a breach in the principle of the divine right of the monarch. The charter established a committee of twenty-five barons with a mandate to wage war if the King failed to respect the agreement.

The Bill of Rights (1689)

It extended Parliament's powers including free elections and freedom of speech in parliament. It also set out certain rights of individuals including the prohibition of cruel punishment.

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UK 'Unwritten' Constitution: Further Developments

VOCAB:

To disenfranchise: privare dei diritti civili Trial: processo

The Three Reform Acts (1832, 1837, 1884)

They reformed political representation extending voting rights to previously disenfranchised citizens. Only after 1884 did a majority of adult males have the right to vote as this act included agricultural laborers. Women, however, were not granted voting rights until 1918.

The Human Rights Act (2000)

It incorporated into the UK law certain rights and freedoms set out in the European Convention of Human Rights, such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial, the right to education, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from discrimination, etc.

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Activity 2

8. Complete the sentences with the words from the list below.

seize · wage . levy · charter · trial · disenfranchise

1. If voting powers were taken away it would the people.
2. To give the accused man a fair it was decided to try him in a different town.
3. He knew that if he was found guilty, the government would his property.
4. The country would war on any country that attacked it.
5. The King decided to taxes on all goods imported into the country.
6. The people wrote a outlining all their demands to the King.

9. Britain is sometimes called the 'Mother of Parliaments'. Why do you think this is? Discuss with your classmate and then report to the class.

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