Chapter 22 Notebook

Chapter 22 Notebook

22-1: Great Britain

**Why it Matters: Unlike the United States, Great Britain has a unitary government that is based on an unwritten constitution. Britain's monarch is the head of state who reigns, but does not rule. Instead, Parliament holds legislative and executive power.

**Outline:

I. Unwritten Constitution

A. The Law of the Constitution

B. The Conventions of the Constitution

II. The Monarchy

III. Parliament

A. The House of Lords

B. The House if Commons

C. The Prime Minister

D. The Cabinet

E. Calling Elections

F. Political Parties

IV. Regional and Local Government

A. Devolution

B. Local Government

V. The Courts

**Vocabulary

1.) Monarchy: hereditary rulers

2.) By-Election: special election held in that MP's constituency to choose a replacement

3.) Coalition: a temporary alliance of parties for the purpose of forming a government

4.) Ministers: members of the House of Commons

5.) Shadow Cabinet: the opposition parties team to

6.) Devolution: the delegation of authority from the central government to regional governments

**Objectives:

1.) Britain's unwritten constitution consists of the customs and practices of British politics. It derives from customs and practices that have gained acceptance over time.

2.) The British monarchy are now little more than figureheads. Its powers and duties are controlled by Britain's unwritten constitution.

3.) Parliament is the central institution of that government. It holds both the legislative and executive powers of the nation.

4.) In 1998, the British Parliament passed three major acts of devolution. Those acts created a 139- member Scottish Parliament, a 60-member National Assembly fog Wales, and a 108-member Northern Ireland Parliament.

5.) The UK has 3 separate court systems- one in England and Wales, one in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. In England and Wales, most civil cases are tried in country courts. Serious...