英文版英美政治制度的比较

英文版英美政治制度的比较
英文版英美政治制度的比较

英文版英美政治制度的比较
Elsewhere on this web site,I have outlined the American political system and the British political system.As someone who is intensely interested in politics generally,and British and American politics most especially,I am fascinated by some of the differences between the political scenes on the two sides of the Atlantic.Inevitably,I'm oversimplifying somewhat,but the following differences strike me as instructive:
1.Perhaps the most fundamental difference is the constitution - or the lack of one.The United States has a written constitution which is very difficult to change.The UK does not have a single document called the constitution but instead its constitutional provisions are scattered over various Acts of Parliament,any of which can be changed by a simple majority in the Parliament.
2.In the United States,the flag holds special place in the political heart of the nation and people sing to it.In Britain the flag is rarely prominent at political events.
3.In the USA,blue signifies states held by the Democratic Party,the more left-wing.In the UK,blue identifies the Conservative Party,the more right-wing.
4.In the USA,red signifies states held by the Republican Party,the more right-wing.In the UK,red identifies the Labour Party,the more left-wing.
5.In the United States,the Democratic and Republican Parties absolutely dominate federal and state elections with independents securing only small proportions of the vote.In the United Kingdom,the two main political parties - Conservative and Labour - win a smaller and declining share of the total vote,with a growing share being taken by the likes of the Liberal Party and the UK Independence Party at national level and by the likes of the Scottish and Welsh Nationalist Parties at the devolved level.
6.In America,the term 'conservative' means really right-wing,especially on social issues.In Britain the name 'Conservative' means mainstream right-wing,especially on economic issues.
7.In America,the term 'liberal' generally means quite left-wing.In Britain,the name 'Liberal' means broadly centrist.
8.In the States,it is considered necessary for a politician to emphasize their patriotism.In Britain,it is assumed that anyone who wants to run for national office cares for his or her country.
9.In the States,virtually every political speech seems to mention God,especially in the final call "God bless America".In Britain,no politician mentions God and none would think of inviting Him to show a special preference for his or her nation state.
10.In the US,politicians frequently refer to their position on social issues like abortion and homosexuality.A British politician would think it unnecessary and inappropriate to talk about such issues unless asked.
11.In the US,politicians constantly talk about the problems and the aspirations of the middle class.In the UK,politicians tend to talk more on the needs of the working class.
12.So many political speeches in the US include the phrase "my fellow Americans".In British political terminology,there is simply no equivalent phrase.
13.Few American political speeches make much use of facts and figures.Many British political speeches use figures to highlight problems and make comparisons with the policies or the performance of one's opponents.
14.The American general election effectively lasts almost two years,starting with the declaration of candidates for the primaries.The British general election lasts around four weeks.
15.American elections depend on vast sums to purchase broadcasting time.Parties and candidates in British elections cannot buy broadcasting time.
16.In the States,there are currently some outstanding political speakers,led by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.In Britain,there is no politician who can be so inspirational,although Tony Blair at his best came close (but he's gone).
17.In the States,almost 40 million television viewers watched the Convention speeches of Barack Obama and Sarah Palin.No party conference speech in Britain would attract more than a few million.
18.In an American presidential election,turnout is typically around 50%,although in the 2008 election it was over 60%.In the UK,turnout used to be around 75% but more recently has fallen to around 60%.
19.In the United States,the transition period between the election of a new president and that person's inaugration is two and half months.In Britain,the changeover of Prime Ministers is virtually immediate - within hours of the election result,one person leaves 10 Downing Street and within the following hour the successor enters it.
20.In the US,government is highly partisan with the President appointing to the executive colleagues who are almost exclusively from within his own party.In the UK,government is normally equally partisan with all Ministers coming from the governing party but,in 2010,exceptionally the Conservatives were required to go into a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and grant them 20 ministerial positions.
21.In the United States,the incoming President and his aides make a total of around 7,000 political appointments.In Britain,the Prime Minister appoints around 100 members of the Government and members of the Cabinet each appoint a couple of Special Advisers,so the total number of political appointments is around 150.
22.In the United States,no Cabinet member is allowed to be a member of the Congress because of the strict theory of the separation of the powers.In Britain,every Government Minister must be a member of one of the two Houses of Parliament and,if he or she is not already in the Parliament,he or she is made a peer.
23.In the United States,all the most senior appointments are subject to confirmation hearings and votes in the Senate.In Britain,there is no procedural method of challenging the appointment of a particular Minister although,in theory,the Opposition could move a vote of no confidence in the appropriate House of Parliament.
24.In the USA,the Secretary of State is (arguably) the most senior member of the Cabinet and in many countries would be known as the Foreign Secretary.In Britain,the political head of each Government Department is called Secretary of State and so almost every member of the Cabinet is a Secretary of State.
25.In the United States,the incoming President's inaugural address is a highly public and prestigious affair.In Britain,the new Prime Minister simply sets out his or her vision for the country in a speech to the House of Commons on the subject of the Queen's Speech which opens the new session of Parliament.