Angelica, Rosel , Maria, Nicky, Aly

Constitutional Study and Legitimacy of Government

EVIDENCE OF LEGITIMACY

Dominant PeopleThe Queen (Elizabeth II)

Descended from royalty Symbol of division between British unionists and

Irish republicans who reject the crownCommonwealth immigrants

More and more common Inflow and outflow from Australia, Canada, European

union, united statesOne characteristic in common – not white Public opposes unlimited immigration of nonwhitesBoth conservative and labor parties pass laws

limiting immigration

3 Political Justifications Needed To Make Decisions (177)

Trustee Theory of Government: assumes that leaders should take the initiative in deciding what the public interest is

Interest Theory Group of Government: sees government’s role as balancing the demands of competing groups and classes in society

Individualist Theory: emphasizes political parties should represent people rather than organized interests

All represent articulation of conflicting beliefs about who should govern and what government should do

Role of Government & Signs of TraditionRole of Government

Provide safety to the people and enforce social order

Individuals are rarely offered referendum allowing them to vote directly on what government does

English comply with basic political laws = 1 source of legitimacy

Signs of TraditionMonarchy – 1 source of legitimacy

Queen and her popularity is a consequence not a cause of legitimacy

ChurchillChurchill

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise, indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except, all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”Provides a justification of the country’s democracy

SecrecySecrecy

Remains strong because serves interest of most powerful people in government

Public information act 2005 reduced executives power to keep secret, the exchange of views within the white hall networkPeople were unaware of what government was

doing Secrecy is supporting the government making

mistakes (negative)

Legitimacy through Religion

Religion & Government The monarch’s role as the official head of the Church

of England creates a sense of legitimacy for the monarch as the head of state.

Formal authority is vested in the sovereign (in Parliament) as the religious and political leader of the realm.

The Church of England is the established religion of the state, which creates a sense of legitimacy for the government among the Church’s adherents.

In a society with increasing religious heterogeneity, the presence of leaders who adhere to religions other than the Anglican Church legitimizes the system of government for other adherents of those religions.

Features of Constitution

Development • King John became unpopular among his subjects,

Pope and fellow barons.• Since 1028 with William the Conquer, every king

had a revolution on his hands, and so did King John.

• King John feared death and the person who would inherit the throne was Prince Louis of France.

• England and France have been at war for 30 years • To Prevent everything, he created the Magna

Carta to keep England content.• The Magna Carta was established June 15 1215.

Magna CartaThe Magna Carta originally had 61 clauses Varying taxation, freedom of the English

Church, lending money, stealing, and evil customs involving forests to be abolished.

It allows the formation of a parliament which the King must address for taxation

The Magna Carta has been amended many times and is the basic law of the land.

Influences on Constitution

More on the Magna Carta Created by assembly of barons,

document against tyranny and voiced importance of individual freedom

Demanded traditional rights to be documented

An inspiration for American ColonistsLimited King’s ability to obtain funds

Lost money due to disastrous foreign policy

Originally meant to protect rights and property of powerful families

Cont. Now basic document of constitution

Democracy and protection of ancient liberties not originally baron’s goals

Presented the principle of “majority rules” over the kingTitle of “King” was not above the law

Has been re-interpreted numerous timesEqually important to the UK and America

English Civil WarKing vs. ParliamentKing James believed he had divine right by

God, that Parliament should not argue with him

Parliament had money while King didn’t though

Then Charles argued with Parliament over religion and money issues as well

After the Civil WarMonarchy was reminded that they were a

constitutional monarchy and not an absolute monarchy. The parliament was needed because it was there to represent the people.

Glorious Revolution

Victory of parliament over the King!Overthrowing of King JamesIssues of power in favor of parliamentHad to convene regularlyAll new taxes approved by parliamentNo religious toleration, Catholics limited

rights, King remain protestant at request of parliament

The Great Reform Act

Cont. New towns able to elect MPsConstituencies still unequal

(representatives)Two types of constituencies counties and

boroughs County members represent land holdersBorough members represent mercantile and

trade interests of UK

Electoral System

ElectionsBritish Government is a Party GovernmentThe parties nominate parliamentary

candidates and elect a leader who is prime minister

Elections give voters the choice of deciding between parties who are competing for the right o govern

Must occur once every five yearsPrime minister can be elected at any time

First-past-the-post systemCandidate with the largest number of votes

win Even if the plurality falls short of half the

voteCandidates do not need to get absolute

majority (over 50 %)Used for general elections for the House of

CommonsJustifications is because it places

responsibility for government in the hands of one single party

Multi-Party SystemEmerged in 1974Three Main Parties in England (“Two and a

Half”)Labour PartyConservativesAlliance of Liberals and Social Democrats (Liberal

Democrats)

Four Parties in Scotland and WalesFive Parties in Northern IrelandMakes the House of Commons

disproportional representedEach parties has a different amount

Party Organization & ImageEach Party has annual conferences to

debate policy and vote on policy resolutions

Decentralization = wide variety of outlooks in parliamentary candidates

Left-right scaleLeft = socialist valuesRight = conservative values

Goal is to do what people want

ComparisonsItaly & Belgium

Proportional Representation Parties make a coalition government which results

in intensive bargaining between partiesCoalition governments encourage broader

consensuses United States of America

Two Main PartiesDemocrats Republicans