英语国家社会与文化入门课件.doc

The Government of the United KingdomThe long road to DemocracyThe Monarchy The oldest type of government First English monarch King Egbert Divine Right of Kings There has always been a King or a Queen Only one period without a monarchDivine Right of Kings The monarch did not get his authority from the people The sovereign got his authority from God This meant the existence of the monarchy has rarely been challenged However, there have often been battles for the throneKings, Queens, Monarchs and Sovereigns King is from the Old English language Queen is from the Old Norse language Monarch is from the Greek language Sovereign is from the French languageAbsolute Power It was not considered wise for the king to have absolute power He should take advice from his top men Old saying “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”The First Serious Conflict King John falls out with his Barons Barons force John to sign Magna Carta The Barons gain more rights The common people still not protectedPARLIAMENT Parler to talk French (remember the Normans?) Parley to talk English Word first used in 1236 Gathering of representatives Barons (Lords)Financial problems in the 13th century If the king wanted money he had to ask the barons, he had to persuade them to give him money! They were a small group and could not give enough money The Great Council was enlarged to include representatives of the community (Commons)Henry IV 1407 Henry IV decided that all money grants should be approved first by the Commons. After they had been approved by the commons they were considered by the LordsCHARLES I Charles I had serious problems Main problem he thought Parliament had no right to exist. It only existed because he allowed it. Second problem his wife was a Catholic.Charles I He dismissed Parliament and tried to rule without them He called them back when he needed money, then dismissed them again This lead to a serious conflict between the King and Parliament 1649 Charles was beheadedRoundheads and Cavaliers The Royalists who followed Charles were called Cavaliers The soldiers who followed Oliver Cromwell were called Roundheads The Parliamentary side won and Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of the realmTHE COMMONWEALTH 11 years of rule by Parliament alone House of Lords abolished Oliver Cromwell takes control of the country Government becomes military dictatorship House of Commons failedCHARLES II Restored the Government Tried to govern with a small Council Tried to restore Catholicism to England Government resists and outwits CharlesJAMES II Did not get on well with the Government Defied the Tory Parliament James Catholic wife has baby James flees to FranceWILLIAM AND MARY William of Orange and his queen Mary are asked to come to England. They are asked to sign a Bill of Rights 1689 King and Queen meet regularly with a group of government ministers The group becomes known as The CabinetGEORGE I George of Hanover was made king He spoke very little English He gave the job of chairing the Cabinet to one of his ministers This man became known as Prime MinisterREFORMED PARLIAMENT 1830 Unrest and revolution in Europe 1832 Reformation of Parliament Middle Class Males allowed the voteELECTIONS 1832 The final step The people will choose instead of the King or Queen Members of Parliament (MPs) grouped themselves together and the idea of a political party was bornPolitical Parties The party with the most support from the voters forms a Government The leader of that party becomes Prime MinisterQueen Victoria When Queen Victoria ascended the throne Lord Melbourne taught her the duties of a constitutional sovereign. Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional Monarchy British Government is deeply influenced by its long history Similar forms of government exist in many former colonies e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand All but India recognize the Queen as their head of state A representative of the Crown, (Governor General) is present in order to fulfill the role of the crownThe Constitution British governance today based on terms and conditions of constitution Israel and Britain are the only two countries without a written constitution Foundations of British state are laid out in statute law i.e. Laws passed by Parliament Common Law established through common practice in the courtsParliament 1 Parliament passes laws Parliament provides a means of keeping a working government Parliament scrutinises government policyParliament 2 Only Parliament can change terms of constitution e.g. decision to join E.U. No legal restraints on parliament Can make and change laws Can change or overturn conventions Must bear in mind the common law and precedentParliament 3 Parliament today consists of Queen, House of Lords, House of Commons All three must agree to pass legislation Although Queen must consent to pass law, her consent is given as a matter of course Last royal refusal was 1707!Structure of State The Monarch House of Lords Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal 1213 Lords House of Commons Members of Parliament (MPs) 650 members can varyMonarchy today Queen Elizabeth II - Head of State Head of executive Integral part of legislature Head of judiciary, Commander in Chief of armed forces Supreme governor of the Church of EnglandTHE MONARCHY NOW Queen Elizabeth II has an advisory role She has an audience with PM each week. She is allowed into Parliament only once each year She gives an Opening SpeechSUMMARY The Government of Britain has developed from a Mo