Comparative Government: Differences between America and Britain
Nevillie Chamberlain
Coalition government PM from 1937 to 1940 which had every party involved bc of the beginnings of WWII
David Lloyd George
Coalition government PM that was a Liberal but had Conservatives in his government as well. From 1916-1922
Winston Churchill
Coalition government PM that had every party involved from 1940-1945. Then voted out of office after WWII bc the people believed a labour government would best serve their needs.
United States
Classless Society
United States
Always a majority for one party in each chamber of Congress
Theresa May
Current PM
United Kingdom
Established Church (Anglican or Episcopal) in England, and in Scotland (Presbyterian). Both are headed by the Monarch
United States
Federal Political System
James Ramsey MacDonald
First Labour PM in 1929-1931. Then had to form a coalition of Labour, Conservative, and Liberal to continue to lead from 31-35
United States
Fixed Calendar elections
United Kingdom
Government sometimes lacks a majority party, which requires a coalition government
United Kingdom
Greater power in one of the two houses
United Kingdom
Has had two female heads of government this century: Margaret Thatcher (1979- 1990) and Theresa May (2016-)
United Kingdom
Head of government can call an early election whenever they want, and can be brought down by a vote of no confidence
United Kingdom
Head of state and head of government are different
United States
Head of state is the same as the head of government
United Kingdom
Much more class conscious
United Kingdom
Multi-party system
United Kingdom
One month election campaigns
Gordon Brown
PM from 2007-2010, voted out after a vote of no confidence.
David Cameron
PM from 2010-2016
United States
Parliament is supreme. Little separation of powers.
United States
Party discipline is weak
United Kingdom
People pick the party members, but the party members pick the leader
United States
Press conferences and congressional committees cross examine Cabinet members but rarely the head of government
United Kingdom
Question time allows people to question the head of government and their cabinet members
United States
Selects party nominees in various primary elections
United States
Separation of powers
United Staes
Strict separation of church and state
United Kingdom
Strong party discipline
William Pitt the Younger
Tory PM from 1783-1801, then 1804-1806
United States
Two chambers are equals (even though they really are not)
United States
Two party electoral system (Reinforced by the electoral college
United Kingdom
Unitary political system
United Kingdom
Unwritten Constitution
United States
Written Constitution
United States
Year Long election campaigns