1. Constitutional Study and Legitimacy of Government
Angelica, Rosel , Maria, Nicky, Aly

2. EVIDENCE OF LEGITIMACY

3. Dominant People The Queen (Elizabeth II) Commonwealth immigrants
Descended from royalty
Symbol of division between British unionists and Irish republicans who reject the crown
Commonwealth immigrants
More and more common
Inflow and outflow from Australia, Canada, European union, united states
One characteristic in common – not white
Public opposes unlimited immigration of nonwhites
Both conservative and labor parties pass laws limiting immigration

4. 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

5. Role of Government & Signs of Tradition
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 Tradition
Monarchy – 1 source of legitimacy
Queen and her popularity is a consequence not a cause of legitimacy

6. Churchill
Churchill
“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

7. Secrecy
Secrecy
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 network
People were unaware of what government was doing
Secrecy is supporting the government making mistakes (negative)

8. Legitimacy through Religion

9. 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.

10. Features of Constitution

11. 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

12. Magna Carta The 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.

14. Influences on Constitution

15. 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 Colonists
Limited King’s ability to obtain funds
Lost money due to disastrous foreign policy
Originally meant to protect rights and property of powerful families

16. 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 king
Title of “King” was not above the law
Has been re-interpreted numerous times
Equally important to the UK and America

17. English Civil War King vs. Parliament
King 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

18. After the Civil War
Monarchy 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.

19. Glorious Revolution Victory of parliament over the King!
Overthrowing of King James
Issues of power in favor of parliament
Had to convene regularly
All new taxes approved by parliament
No religious toleration, Catholics limited rights, King remain protestant at request of parliament

20. The Great Reform Act
Act of parliament changed electoral system of England and Wales
House of Commons had 658 members
513 represented England and Wales
Created by Whigs, wanted larger majority in House of Commons to remove Tories
Found opposition due to voting requirements, needed minimum income

21. Cont. New towns able to elect MPs
Constituencies still unequal (representatives)
Two types of constituencies counties and boroughs
County members represent land holders
Borough members represent mercantile and trade interests of UK

22. Electoral System

23. Elections British Government is a Party Government
The 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 years
Prime minister can be elected at any time

24. First-past-the-post system
Candidate with the largest number of votes win
Even if the plurality falls short of half the vote
Candidates do not need to get absolute majority (over 50 %)
Used for general elections for the House of Commons
Justifications is because it places responsibility for government in the hands of one single party

25. Multi-Party System Emerged in 1974
Three Main Parties in England (“Two and a Half”)
Labour Party
Conservatives
Alliance of Liberals and Social Democrats (Liberal Democrats)
Four Parties in Scotland and Wales
Five Parties in Northern Ireland
Makes the House of Commons disproportional represented
Each parties has a different amount

26. Party Organization & Image
Each Party has annual conferences to debate policy and vote on policy resolutions
Decentralization = wide variety of outlooks in parliamentary candidates
Left-right scale
Left = socialist values
Right = conservative values
Goal is to do what people want

27. Comparisons Italy & Belgium United States of America
Proportional Representation
Parties make a coalition government which results in intensive bargaining between parties
Coalition governments encourage broader consensuses
United States of America
Two Main Parties
Democrats
Republicans