Chapter 22: Comparative Political Systems Section 4

Chapter 22: Comparative Political Systems Section 4

Objectives 1. Examine elements of the United Kingdom s parliamentary democracy. 2. Describe regional and local government in the United Kingdom. 3. Analyze the federal government of Mexico. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 2

Key Terms coalition: a temporary alliance of parties to form a government ministers: the members of the cabinet of the United Kingdom shadow cabinet: members of the opposition party who watch the real cabinet and are ready to take its place devolution: the delegation of authority from the central government back to regional governments Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 3

Introduction What form does democratic government take in the UK and in Mexico? The UK has a unitary, parliamentary government with power concentrated in a legislative branch that appoints executive officials and rules in the name of the monarchy. Mexico has a federal government with a judiciary, a strong executive, and a weak legislature. It also has individual state governments. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 4

The United Kingdom The UK is a democracy with a unitary parliamentary government that rules in the name of the monarchy. The UK has no one written constitution. The written law of the constitution consists of historical documents and the acts of Parliament. The unwritten conventions of the constitution include both common law based on court decisions and centuries of customs. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 5

The United Kingdom, cont. Form of Government - Constitutional Monarchy Constitution - Unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Chief of State - Queen Elizabeth II Head of Government - Prime Minister Gordon Brown Executive Branch - Prime Minister is head of majority party in House of Commons Legislative Branch - Bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords and House of Commons Judicial Branch - The Crown Courts Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 6

Parliament Parliament is the key representative body in British government. The monarch cannot veto acts of Parliament nor dismiss its members. Parliament is divided into the House of Commons (the lower house) and the House of Lords (the upper house). Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 7

Parliament, cont. The House of Commons has 646 elected MPs members of Parliament. The majority party controls the House of Commons, choosing the prime minister and cabinet. Bills are voted on by the entire House. Most members of the House of Lords are appointed by a special commission. This house can reject bills passed by the lower house and serves as the final court of appeals for civil and criminal cases. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 8

The Prime Minister The prime minister, or PM, is the executive leader who represents either the majority party or the ruling coalition of Parliament. There are no term limits on this post. The PM selects the ministers of the cabinet, who each head an executive department, such as Defense. Each opposition party appoints a shadow cabinet ready to replace the main cabinet if the opposition party wins power. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 9

The Courts The UK has separate court systems for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Serious criminal cases are tried in the Crown Court and other cases are tried in the magistrates courts. Judges and juries try serious cases, while judges or magistrates hear most civil and minor criminal cases. Courts cannot overrule Parliament, and they decide most cases based on common law, precedent, and Parliament s laws. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 10

The Election Process Checkpoint: How are governments formed in the UK? A general election for all seats in the House of Commons is held at least every five years. If the current government loses the support of the House of Commons, Parliament is dissolved and a new general election called. Otherwise, the PM calls for an election when it favors his or her party. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 11

Political Parties MPs are elected from single-member districts. Voters tend to vote along straight party lines. The Conservative Party has strong support from the middle and upper class. It favors less government involvement in the economy. The Labour Party favors more government involvement and is supported by the working class. The Liberal Democratic Party blends views from both sides. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 12

Regional and Local Government All power belongs to the central government, which may grant powers to lower governments. Through devolution, the central government has given some power back to regional governments like Scotland. Local governments handle many functions. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 13

Mexico s Federal System Mexico has a federal government with an executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The president appoints judges, officials, and top military officers and can propose constitutional amendments. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 14

Mexico, cont. Form of Government - Federal Republic Constitution - Adopted February 5, 1917 Chief of State - President Felipe Calderón Head of Government - President Felipe Calderón Executive Branch - President elected by popular vote for single six-year term Legislative Branch - Bicameral National Congress consists of Senate and Federal Chamber of Deputies Judicial Branch - Supreme Court of Justices Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 15

The General Congress Mexico s legislature consists of the 64- member Senate and the 500-member Chamber of Deputies. Two senators serving six-year terms represent each of Mexico s 31 states and the federal district. Deputies serve one three-year term. Some are directly elected from districts and the rest are appointed by parties. The legislature meets only four months a year and is weaker than the U.S. Congress. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 16

Judiciary and Local Governments Mexico s judiciary has state and federal court systems, with a federal and state Supreme Courts. Most criminal trials have judges but no juries. Each Mexican state has a governor, a unicameral legislature, and state courts. Governors serve six-year terms and appoint state judges. Legislators serve three-year terms. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 17

National Politics Checkpoint: What are Mexico s main political parties? Mexican politics was once dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), but economic problems undercut its power in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the conservative National Action Party (PAN) and the leftist Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) won political offices. In 2000, PAN candidate Vicente Fox won the presidency, the first presidential defeat for the PRI since 1929. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 18

National Politics, cont. In 2006, PAN candidate Felipe Calderón narrowly won the presidency over the PRD candidate, leading to protests of election fraud. Unfair elections have been a problem in Mexican politics dating back to the era of PRI rule. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 19

Review Now that you have learned about what form democratic government takes in the UK and in Mexico, go back and answer the Chapter Essential Question. How should you measure different governments? Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 20