Comparison of us consitution and uk constitution

Question 1

What’s the structural approach?

Answer 1

Focus on institutions in a political system and the process within them
Suggests that political outcomes are largely determined by the formal structures and processes laid out the parliamentary systems
Suggests individuals/groups in society are largely determined by their position in society

Question 2

What is the rational approach?

Answer 2

Everyone behaves due to self interest
-Focuses on individuals within a political system
-Suggests individuals act rationally choosing to act on a particular way out of self interest and a way to give themselves beneficial outcomes
-Suggest that individuals have a set of politicians gals and that they will make decision based on rhetoric best way to achieve goals

Question 3

What is the cultural approach?

Answer 3

-Focuses on shared ideas within a political system of group
-Suggests that these shared ideas, beliefs and values of a group within society often determining the actions of a group
-Culture let’s know who we are as a collective what us important and how to behave
-Relationship between state and organised religion in the USA compromise with the UK being accounted for by the culture of history of each nation

Question 4

Structural approach example?

Answer 4

Constitution
Electoral system (both fptp)
Rules and laws (supreme court vs uk independent court)
Access points- pressure group (federalism)

Question 5

British constitution?

Answer 5

Uncodified
Flexible
Easy to change history clause
Parliamentary sovereignty
Lack of clarity about roles so more converntions

Question 6

Us constitution?

Answer 6

Codified
Rigid
Hard to remove historical clauses
Constition is sovereign
Article of constitution are precise

Question 7

Explain and analyse three ways that structural theory could be used to compare the uk and us constitution (9mark)? paragraph 1

Answer 7

P- one’s codified ones uncodified
E- Us bill of rights codified human rights, free speech, gun laws and fair trail
UK- not codified HRA but not entrenched
A- US constitution rigid can’t change gun laws
UK easier to adapt parliment passed law after Dunblane mass scare

Question 8

Explain and analyse three ways that structural theory could be used to compare the uk and us constitution (9mark)? paragraph 2

Answer 8

P- USA is federal and UK is unitary
explain these
E- Talk about similarity’s and differences in power that states and devolved nations have e.g. Texas death penalty but Rhode island dosent
Scotland has power over education system
A- 10th amendment embeds federalism in constituon
Devolution is granted by parliamentary statute so isn’t entrenched
Sevelution only relevant for some parts where federalism is everywhere

Question 9

Explain and analyse three ways that structural theory could be used to compare the uk and us constitution (9mark)? paragraph 3

Answer 9

P- Seperation of powers in the US fusion with UK
what are these
E- Constitution is US separates the executive judiciary and legislature
Cant be in congress but run for pm e.g. Obama resigned senete seat when became president
In UK pm and cabinet can be in oarliment so legislative and executive mix e.g. Rishi Sunak kept seat as MO in Richmond while being pm
A- impacts on the power of the executive the pm has elected dictatorship if they have a large majority they can pass whatever e.g. Blair 180+ seat majority and wasn’t defeated in 7 years
Whereas in america more checks and balances for president to pass laws