Prof. Bruno Pierri Istituzioni politiche anglo-americane e analisi dei linguaggi specifici First Hour: Introduction of Course Second Hour: The British Parliament March 5th, 2009

Aims of course To learn socio-political, juridical, and economic language concerning United Kingdom and United States To learn socio-political, juridical, and economic language concerning United Kingdom and United States To hold a short conversation on the political system of the US and the UK and their economy To hold a short conversation on the political system of the US and the UK and their economy To analyse US and UK records To analyse US and UK records

Sub-units UK Govt/US Govt UK Govt/US Govt UK Parliament/US Congress UK Parliament/US Congress UK political parties/US political parties UK political parties/US political parties US presidential elections/UK General Elections US presidential elections/UK General Elections Consul Carlson’s Lecture: Mar 26 Consul Carlson’s Lecture: Mar 26 Analysis of US-UK economic and political speeches (with short introduction) Analysis of US-UK economic and political speeches (with short introduction)

Methodology Powerpoint Powerpoint Lectures in English Lectures in English Focus on political, diplomatic, and economic lexicon and terminology Focus on political, diplomatic, and economic lexicon and terminology Skills to spur Skills to spur a) Conversation in English b) Comprehension and dialogue c) Knowledge of politico-economic expressions

Lectures Two-hour-lecture Two-hour-lecture Three frontal lessons: PowerPoint presentation (15’ break) Three frontal lessons: PowerPoint presentation (15’ break) Two record analyses: Short political introduction (E.g. State of the Union Address); philological analysis of economic record/political speech Two record analyses: Short political introduction (E.g. State of the Union Address); philological analysis of economic record/political speech Practical training: two mock tests (esoneri) to check your learning in itinere Practical training: two mock tests (esoneri) to check your learning in itinere Everything downloadable from Dept web site: Folder Readings Prof.sa Saracino Everything downloadable from Dept web site: Folder Readings Prof.sa Saracino

Calendar and Prof’s availability Lectures: Thu 11 am-1 pm, Room De Giorgi, Ecotekne Lectures: Thu 11 am-1 pm, Room De Giorgi, Ecotekne Mar 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr 2, 23, 30; May 7, 15 Mar 5, 12, 19, 26; Apr 2, 23, 30; May 7, 15 Prof’s Address: Palazzo Parlangeli, Room 11/D, 1st Floor Prof’s Address: Palazzo Parlangeli, Room 11/D, 1st Floor Prof’s and tel: 0832/ Prof’s and tel:

The British Parliament Historical Roots XI century: King’s Council “Witans”: barons and archbishops to discuss taxation and judgment XI century: King’s Council “Witans”: barons and archbishops to discuss taxation and judgment XIV Century: Two Houses - nobility and higher clergy (House of Lords), knights and burgesses (freemen of a borough) XIV Century: Two Houses - nobility and higher clergy (House of Lords), knights and burgesses (freemen of a borough) No law or tax without consent of both Houses No law or tax without consent of both Houses 1536: Wales first represented in Commons 1536: Wales first represented in Commons 1707 Act of Union: Unification of Scottish and English Parliaments 1707 Act of Union: Unification of Scottish and English Parliaments 1801: Act of Union with Ireland 1801: Act of Union with Ireland

1911 Parliament Act Maximum duration of Parliament 5 years Maximum duration of Parliament 5 years Removal of right of veto for Lords to any public legislation approved by Commons Removal of right of veto for Lords to any public legislation approved by Commons Priority given to democratically elected House/Chamber Priority given to democratically elected House/Chamber

1949 Parliament Act Abolition of University and Enterprise seats (one man, one vote) Abolition of University and Enterprise seats (one man, one vote)

Two-House System House of Commons (Lower House publicly elected. 646 seats each representing a costituency (650 at next general election) House of Commons (Lower House publicly elected. 646 seats each representing a costituency (650 at next general election) House of Lords (Upper House) mostly appointed by Monarch, some elected internally and some bishops and archbishops of Church of England. Since July members House of Lords (Upper House) mostly appointed by Monarch, some elected internally and some bishops and archbishops of Church of England. Since July members Lords Spiritual/Lords Temporal Lords Spiritual/Lords Temporal Highest Court: Supreme Court of Appeal. Group of salaried judges (Law Lords) Highest Court: Supreme Court of Appeal. Group of salaried judges (Law Lords)

Role of Parliament Checking the Work of Govt Committes: membership reflects party strength in House Committes: membership reflects party strength in House Debates in Commons: focused on any national and international issue. Votes (called divisions) to see whether majority backs Govt Debates in Commons: focused on any national and international issue. Votes (called divisions) to see whether majority backs Govt Debates in Lords: general debates. No votes Debates in Lords: general debates. No votes

Position of MPs/Peers House of Commons: rectangular shape, Govt and Opposition face each other. Govt on right of Speaker,Official Opposition and other parties to the left House of Commons: rectangular shape, Govt and Opposition face each other. Govt on right of Speaker,Official Opposition and other parties to the left Govt and Shadow Govt members on front benches (front- benchers). Junior MPs on back benches (back- benchers) Govt and Shadow Govt members on front benches (front- benchers). Junior MPs on back benches (back- benchers) Crossing the floor: MPs can change party at any time. They cross the floor to the other side Crossing the floor: MPs can change party at any time. They cross the floor to the other side House of Lords: Govt and Opposition face each other. Govt and Bishops on right of Lord Speaker. Opposition parties on left House of Lords: Govt and Opposition face each other. Govt and Bishops on right of Lord Speaker. Opposition parties on left Independent Peers (Crossbench Peers) on benches crossing Chamber Independent Peers (Crossbench Peers) on benches crossing Chamber

The Speaker of the House of Commons MP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial at all times MP elected by other MPs: Politically impartial at all times Speaker does not take part in debate or vote, except to break ties (casting vote) Speaker does not take part in debate or vote, except to break ties (casting vote) Casting vote: Speaker votes to leave a bill in its existing form (against amendments) Casting vote: Speaker votes to leave a bill in its existing form (against amendments) Speakers must resign from party and remain separate from political issues even after retirement, but will deal with constituency’s problems like normal MP Speakers must resign from party and remain separate from political issues even after retirement, but will deal with constituency’s problems like normal MP Speakers stand in general elections, unopposed by major parties. They do not campaign on political issues, but only stand as “Speaker seeking re-election” Speakers stand in general elections, unopposed by major parties. They do not campaign on political issues, but only stand as “Speaker seeking re-election”

The Whip MP or Peer appointed by each party to make sure Members vote according to party wants MP or Peer appointed by each party to make sure Members vote according to party wants 18th century fox hunting terminology referring to person who drives dogs back to main pack using a whip 18th century fox hunting terminology referring to person who drives dogs back to main pack using a whip Whip could resort to mixture of threats, blackmail and extortion to force unpopular vote Whip could resort to mixture of threats, blackmail and extortion to force unpopular vote For a minister, consequences for defying party whip are absolute: they are dismissed immediately For a minister, consequences for defying party whip are absolute: they are dismissed immediately MPs could be expelled from party MPs could be expelled from party

Traditions of Parliament Catching the Speaker’s eye: when they want to speak, MPs must get Speaker’s attention and usually stand, or half rise Catching the Speaker’s eye: when they want to speak, MPs must get Speaker’s attention and usually stand, or half rise Dragging (trascinare) the Speaker: when a Speaker is elected, he\she is physically dragged to the chair. The Speaker has the function to communicate the Common’s opinions to the Monarch. In the past, if the Monarch did not agree with the message the Speaker could be executed Dragging (trascinare) the Speaker: when a Speaker is elected, he\she is physically dragged to the chair. The Speaker has the function to communicate the Common’s opinions to the Monarch. In the past, if the Monarch did not agree with the message the Speaker could be executed Norman French: when Lords communicate the Commons the endorsement or amendment of a Bill the ritual formula is in Norman French Norman French: when Lords communicate the Commons the endorsement or amendment of a Bill the ritual formula is in Norman French Royal Assent formula is also in Norman French (La Reyne le veult) Royal Assent formula is also in Norman French (La Reyne le veult)