differences/sames

Question 1

what are the forms of government of us and uk

Answer 1

British Majoritarian Model

US federal presidential Model

Question 2

difference in bi-cameralism in us and uk

Answer 2

1. Uk Asymmetric Bi-Cameralism
   • The House of Commons= dominant parliaments power;
2. us
   Strong Symmetric Bi-Cameralism
   • The House of Reps and Senate have identical power, and both chambers must pass each bill in identical language (thus, each has veto power over the other);

Question 3

difference in separation of powers for us and uj

Answer 3

uk
1. Unitary Government
• No state or regional governments (federalism) to counter the laws and policies enacted by the parliament in London

us
1. Federalism
• The states have their own governments, elected separately, and have constitutionally reserved powers that cannot be usurped by the federal government;
• states can impose taxes

Question 4

differences in majoritarian electoral rules us and uk

Answer 4

both Majoritarian Electoral Rules:
• First-Past-the-Post (simple plurality) electoral rules promote strong majorities for one of two major parties and stymy minor parties;
• but uk= the majority party elected in the House of Commons forms the executive

us= parties do NOT form party-based government

Question 5

difference in constitution us and uk

Answer 5

uk
1. Popular Sovereignty
• Only parliament can make law, and there is no ‘higher law’ (no written, “entrenched” constitution, etc.) to limit the action of the parliament

us
1. Constitutional Limits on Governmental Power:
• The US Constitution and Bill of Rights are a “higher law” that specifies limits on governmental actions and powers, and is “entrenched” (can only be amended with a 2/3s vote in the House and Senate and ratified by 3/4s of state legislatures)

Question 6

sims b.w us and aus

Answer 6

1. Aus is a Federal System
2. Aus has an entrenched constitution
3. Aus has an enforced Bi-Cameral Legislation
   • Aus Gov model fuses a British Westminster role for majoritarian responsible-government in the House of Representatives with an American-like Senate

• All three echoes the Consensual logic of US liberal democracy

Question 7

explain presidentialism in aus

Answer 7

• Australia’s hybrid “Washminster” system of government fuses:
• a Westminster system of a party-based parliamentary executive
• and a bi-cameral federal legislature and federalism.
• IN SHORT: Australia is NOT a PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM.”

Question 8

explain devolution in us.aus.uk

Answer 8

• Federal systems (Aus. & US)= a common form of devolution
o Extensive powers are devolved in usually symmetric way (all states have same power)
o Usually constituently defined and mandated
• UK= form of asymmetric devolution
o Different constituent parts have different powers and political arrangements

Question 9

some liberal ideas

Answer 9

social contract, rights freedom, power, media role, separation of power

Question 10

some political vlaues

Answer 10

liberty, equality, individualism, free market, oppurtunity

Question 11

some constitution and institutions

Answer 11

voting systems, media, political parties

Question 12

weakness/strengths

Answer 12

capture day big business, economic inequality, strong executive, accountable government