preview

Essay about France and Great Birtain's Political Systems

Best Essays

France and Great Birtain's Political Systems

INTRODUCTION

I chose these two systems, which interest me for different reasons. The British system is one that has evolved over many centuries, with both small and large adjustments along the way to keep in on course. In contrast to this, the French model has changed dramatically on several occasions, and can rarely have been described as stable. However, in 1958 Charles de Gaulle made some brave changes to the constitution, which after being approved by the French public, set the scene for the classic semi-presidential system that we see today.

Despite these opposing histories, there are many similarities between the two systems, which I intend to discuss.

BRITAIN

The …show more content…

The cabinet is the most senior group of government ministers, and usually numbers around 20.

The Government is answerable to parliament, from which its members are taken. A vote of no confidence can be called if any government-sponsored bill is defeated in the Commons. If the vote of no confidence is passed, the PM must either resign, or ask the monarch to dissolve parliament, and call a general election. In practice, since a government usually holds a majority in the Commons, and party ‘whips’ try to ensure that party members support the government, governments are likely to win all but the most controversial votes.

If however, a government doesn’t have a large majority, then it will do it can to bring ‘backbench’ MPs into line, and call three-line whips – i.e. votes that are compulsory for MPs to attend, sometimes even being brought in from hospital beds to vote.

PARLIAMENT

The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). It consists of a head of state (currently Queen Elizabeth II), a bicameral system with an upper house – House of Lords, and a lower house – House of Commons

At its head is the Sovereign; it also includes an Upper House, called the House of Lords, and a Lower House, called the House of Commons.

Get Access