BRANCHES OF BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

What are the three branches of Government ?What are the three branches of Government ? What is the Executive? What is the Executive?

What is its role in British Politics?What is its role in British Politics?

3 BRANCHES OF 3 BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

Governments across the world are based on a basic structure. Almost all, including the United States and United Kingdom, have THREE main BRANCHES :

• The UK and US have many similarities and differences

• As with the Constitution, the system of Government and the role of the EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE and JUDICIARY vary widely between the two countries.

EXECUTIVEEXECUTIVE WHAT IS IT?:WHAT IS IT?: The The EXECUTIVEEXECUTIVE BRANCH are: ‘ BRANCH are: ‘

Those people charged with Those people charged with responsibility for the administration responsibility for the administration of Government and the of Government and the implementation of laws made by the implementation of laws made by the Legislature.’ Legislature.’

  

Who does it include?Who does it include?1.1. THE HEAD OF STATE (Queen/ THE HEAD OF STATE (Queen/

President) President)

2.2. THE PRIME MINISTER (UK)THE PRIME MINISTER (UK)

3.3. MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

(The Government are a small group (The Government are a small group of selected M.P’s made responsible of selected M.P’s made responsible for a Government department. for a Government department.

THE POLITICAL EXECUTIVETHE POLITICAL EXECUTIVE

In the UK Parliamentary system, key In the UK Parliamentary system, key politicians in the Government team run politicians in the Government team run by the Prime Minister are said to be part by the Prime Minister are said to be part of the Political Executive.of the Political Executive.

They are responsible to Parliament.They are responsible to Parliament. In the USA the President acts as a single In the USA the President acts as a single

executive. executive.

5 functions of the 5 functions of the ExecutiveExecutive

1. CEREMONIAL DUTIES 1. CEREMONIAL DUTIES Heads of State (Queen/ Heads of State (Queen/

President) undertake President) undertake ceremonial duties such as ceremonial duties such as having banquets, receiving having banquets, receiving foreign guests and signing foreign guests and signing treaties. treaties.

They stand in for the State They stand in for the State itself – embodying the National itself – embodying the National will. will.

In the US the President has In the US the President has these duties these duties

In the UK the Queen embodies In the UK the Queen embodies the Statethe State

State BanquetState Banquet

2. PROVIDE LEADERSHIP 2. PROVIDE LEADERSHIP

In times of Crisis – In times of Crisis – the Executive must the Executive must provide leadership provide leadership

An example would An example would be Tony Blair after be Tony Blair after 9/11 building up a 9/11 building up a coalition coalition

3. MOBILISE SUPPORT 3. MOBILISE SUPPORT

Members of the Government have to Members of the Government have to galvanise support for their causes galvanise support for their causes

HOW?HOW?

4. DECISION (POLICY) MAKING 4. DECISION (POLICY) MAKING

Members of the Government are Members of the Government are constantly involved in the decision constantly involved in the decision making process on a range of issues making process on a range of issues affecting millions of peoples lives. affecting millions of peoples lives.

The Prime Minister is also part of the The Prime Minister is also part of the Legislature and therefore can help Legislature and therefore can help direct policy direct policy

5. COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY 5. COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Ministers do make mistakes and are Ministers do make mistakes and are held accountable for them held accountable for them