This paper is about the British Parliament, which constitutes such a wide range of topics that some selected aspects have to be concentrated on. For that reason the political function of the British Crown will be neglected. The main aim of this essay will be to find out how the powers of Parliament and those of the Government are balanced. It is assumed that the powers of making und passing laws und the control of the executive are indicators of this problem.
First of all, the role that Parliament plays in the British Constitution will be defined. In this context it will be important to note that the British Constitution as such does not exist in writing, which raises the question as to whether this fact causes any negative consequences for the democratic process. Moreover, the structure and composition as well as the functions of the two Houses of Parliament will be dealt with. And some characteristic features of the parliamentary system in Britain will be pointed out in order to draw a comparison between the British and the German Parliament. Of course, this comparison will have to focus on the most significant aspects. In the final part the preceding considerations wi11 be summarized and a personal judgement on the two different systems in Britain and Germany will be made.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Which role does Parliament play in the British Constitution?
3. The British Parliament
3.1 The House of Lords
3.2 The House of Commons
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the structure, function, and constitutional role of the British Parliament, specifically examining the balance of power between the legislature and the government. It further provides a comparative perspective by contrasting the British parliamentary system with the German political framework.
- The role and nature of the British Constitution
- Functions and composition of the House of Lords and the House of Commons
- Legislative processes and the extent of governmental control
- Comparative analysis of the British and German parliamentary systems
- The influence of the electoral system on the executive branch
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 The House of Lords
One function of the House of Lords is a judicial one, since the Upper Chamber is the "supreme judicial tribunal of the nation". This function comprises the hearing of appeals, which is exercised by a special committee of the House of Lords. Another task of the House of Lords, which is perhaps more important, is to study, revise and amend bills already passed by the Lower Chamber. The Lords can also delay the passing of a bill for one year at the most. Of course the opinions about this possibility of delaying vary. The opponents of this right of the Lords' claim that it could slow down the democratic process of legislation at a time, when certain events would require a quick political reaction. On the other hand the Lords can use their power to ensure that there is enough time for the electorate to inform themselves about the intended bill and to express their opinions on it. But in fact the Commons have some possibilities of forcing the Upper Chamber to pass the bill. Furthermore bills concerning financial matters are entirely controlled by the Commons. The revision of bills by the Lords can also have a positive effect in so far as peers are not dependent on any party line. Nor are they responsible to the electorate. That means that they can really express their own view on a subject. Therefore I think the existing situation is very useful.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the essay, focusing on the powers of the British Parliament and the government, while setting the stage for a comparative study with Germany.
2. Which role does Parliament play in the British Constitution?: Defines the unwritten British Constitution and analyzes how Parliament balances its legislative power against the executive influence.
3. The British Parliament: Provides an overview of the two-chamber structure consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
3.1 The House of Lords: Discusses the judicial and revising functions of the Upper Chamber, including the debate over its lack of democratic election.
3.2 The House of Commons: Examines the core legislative and control functions of the 651 Members of Parliament and the impact of the electoral system.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, reflecting on the historical viability of the British democratic system compared to the German model.
Keywords
British Parliament, House of Commons, House of Lords, British Constitution, Statute Law, Common Law, Parliamentary System, Government, Legislation, Democracy, Electoral System, Executive, Political Parties, Germany, Comparative Politics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the British Parliament, focusing on its constitutional role, its internal structure, and how its powers are balanced against those of the government.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include the nature of the unwritten British Constitution, the functions of the two chambers of Parliament, the influence of political parties, and the democratic accountability of the government.
What is the main objective of this study?
The main aim is to determine how the powers of Parliament and the Government are balanced, specifically through the processes of law-making and executive control.
Which scientific method is applied in this analysis?
The author uses a qualitative approach, analyzing existing literature and constitutional theory to draw comparisons between the British and German parliamentary systems.
What core topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the composition and specific duties of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, alongside an analysis of legislative procedures and the executive's role.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include British Parliament, House of Commons, House of Lords, Constitutional Law, Executive Control, and Comparative Government.
How does the author view the "unwritten" nature of the British Constitution?
The author concludes that while it lacks the formal structure of a written document, the British system is historically viable and does not impede the democratic process.
How does the role of the Speaker of the House function in Parliament?
The Speaker acts as an impartial moderator who ensures that parliamentary discussions are conducted according to established rules, refraining from political bias.
Why does the author consider the electoral system significant?
The author notes that the "first past the post" system contributes to a powerful executive by often granting a single party a clear majority, thereby reducing the necessity for coalitions.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Jens Saathoff (Autor:in), 1992, The British Parliament - How the Powers of Parliament and those of the Government are balanced, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/199938
